Lavishly's Weekday Picks MASL Week #11

Turlock +2.5 @ Las Vegas -2.5 over/under 11.5  After losing a game to the Sacramento Surge the Express were able to force overtime against the Ontario Fury and keep their home winning streak alive at 5 straight this season.  Las Vegas went down to Mexico last week and were able to barely sneak by Saltillo Rancho Seco before going into Monterrey to hand the Flash the first loss of the season.  Vegas fell early in the Pacific Division this season, but after winning 3 in a row have managed to climb to .500 and are now sitting a game and a half out of first place.  Sitting a half a game in front of the Legends in the Divisional Rankings is the Turlock Express, who last time around in Vegas forced overtime and a shootout only to fall short.  Both Teams have came a long was since then, but again I think this is a close game, but both teams offensively should combine for at least 12.

Missouri -2.5 @ Milwaukee +2.5 over/under 16.5  After holding off the Sockers at home the Comets travel to Milwaukee to try and keep their undefeated season alive, but it won't be easy against a MKE Wave team that has won the first 2 games of a 6 game home stand.  Milwaukee haven't lost at home yet this season and should be able to hang in the game with Missouri.  The Wave have beefed up their already stellar defense, which is 3rd in the league in killing penalties, by signing veteran Mike Lookingland, so they should hopefully be able to keep the game closer and the score lower.  I will give the points to Milwaukee and hope for a low scoring affair.

Syracuse +1.5 @ Rochester -1.5 over/under 20.5  These two teams have already put on very close and exciting game that ended in a shootout once this season.  Will the second match up be as thrilling?  I hope so.  The last time they met Syracuse dominated the second quarter scoring 4 goals, three of them netted by Kenardo Forbes, while the Lancers were held to 0.  Rochester was able to turn it around in the second half, tie it up 3 goals in the 3rd and then score one more in the 4th to force the OT.  I think I will give Syracuse the points, they should be able to keep it close, and I will go with the overs.

Lavishly's Picks MASL Week #10

Sacramento +2.5 @ Seattle -2.5 over/under 19.5  Seattle seems to be improving on the field, and Gordy Gurson has been having a stellar year finding the back of the net.  At home I think that Seattle can cover the 2.5 points, but I don't think that Sacramento can score enough for both teams to combine for 20.

Syracuse -8.5 @ Harrisburg +8.5 over/under 23.5  The Silver Knights almost hung 20 on the Heat last time they played, so 8.5 should be no problem.  Also, in their last game against each other, Syracuse alone covered the overs, but the Heat have a better record of defense at home, so I will take the unders.

Ontario +0.5 @ Turlock -0.5 over/under 13.5  Turlock haven't lost at home yet this year, but they haven't had any luck against the Ontario Fury.  With the way Turlock fell apart in their last game, and how Ontario seems to be coming together as of late, I have to think that Ontario has a good chance of ending the Express' home winning streak.  Ontario and Turlock both seem to be improving offensively, so I will pick the overs in this game.

St. Louis +2.5 @ Chicago -2.5 over/under 14.5  Chicago had a great come from behind win last week in Detroit, and now they host the Ambush, who are also coming off of a single point win over Detroit.  I think that Chicago will pull out the win in this game, but I don't think they will do it by three, so I will give St. Louis the points.  I will take my chances on the overs in this game.

Baltimore -7.5 @ Rochester + 7.5 over/under 20.5  The Blast and the Lancers meet for the first time this season, and Rochester is riding the momentum from their shoot out win against Syracuse last week.  Since it is the first time that Baltimore is seeing Rochester, I will go out on a limb and give the Lancers the 7.5 points, and what the hell, lets go with the unders for this game.

Dallas -2.5 @ Oxford City +2.5 over/under 12.5  Oxford City F.C. seems to be the most improved team in the MASL.  They have won 3 straight games and are 6-3 on the season.  The Sidekicks are coming off of a sham of loss to a now defunct team in a game with some uneven whistles, 83% of the penalties going in favor of the home team. Even though Oxford has won 3 straight, the wins have come against teams with losing records.  I think Dallas covers, and the game goes over.

Detroit +6.5 @ Milwaukee -6.5 over/under 11.5  Milwaukee is not going to hang 7 points on the Waza Flo, and the game is going over 11.5

San Diego +5.5 @ Missouri -5.5 over/under 18.5  I don't think that the Sockers will win this game, but they are not going to lose by 6.  I don't remember the Sockers ever losing by 6 since 2009.  This will be a good "how do you do" game as San Diego will make Missouri fans sweat this one out.  18.5 seems high for this one, so I will stick with the unders.

San Diego -3.5 @ St. Louis +3.5 over/under 12.5  The key for the Sockers is not loosing both road games.  Both St. Louis and San Diego will both be playing their second game of the weekend, so their fatigue level should be a little closer.  I will go with the points for St. Louis, and I will go with the overs.

Ontario -2.5 @ Sacramento +2.5 over/under 17.5  Ontario covers the points against the Surge, but 17.5 seems just a little high.

Saltillo +1.5 @ Oxford City -1.5 over/under 16.5  At home Oxford covers the points, they are playing very good soccer lately and Rancho Seco has yet to win a game.  16.5 seems really high to me for an over under, but Oxford is capable of putting up some points, especially when Totti and Parente get hot, so I will go with the overs.

Monterrey -6.5 @ Brownsville +6.5 over/under 13.5  Monterrey just seems to be able to hang a grip of points on the Barracudas when ever they play each other, so I will take the Flash covering and the game going over 13.5.

Lavishly's Picks MASL Week #9

Thanks to MasseyRatings.com for providing these predictions.  I did good last week, picking correctly 73% of the time, and I doubt, based on how I did on Thursday night, I will come close to that this week.

Las Vegas -1.5 @ Saltillo +1.5 o/u 15.5  Saltillo is not having that great of a season this year, and it shows in their record.  The winless Rancho Seco are playing their 4 straight home game, and against a team like the Legends, win number 1 is unlikely.  Las Vegas is too good defensively, and if they can get their offense to show up they should be able to get the win with ease.  Las Vegas covers, and after getting burned on the over under in the Seattle vs Ontario game I will go with the overs.

Baltimore -6.5 @ Syracuse +6.5 o/u 22.5  The undefeated Blast go into Syracuse to take on the 2-3 Silver Knights.  William Vanzela has been absolutely stellar so far this season in goal, and if he keeps up his level of play, Syracuse is going to need some luck to counter Vanzela's skill.  Their offense is extremely balanced, making it hard for defenses to guard, and their penalty kill is flawless so far.  The last time Baltimore came into the War Memorial they won by a score of 11 to 4.  This time around Baltimore wins again, and I will go with the overs, only because I am writing this after getting screwed by the unders in the Seattle Ontario Game.  I have a feeling that will come back and haunt me.

Sacramento +5.5 @ Turlock -5.5 o/u 14.5  Goals are hard to come by at Turlock, but the Express are usually good for at least 10 goals at home.  Sacramento has struggled so far, but they are due for a game where they come within a few points of winning, right?  What the hell, lets give Sacramento the points and go with the overs.

Dallas -5.5 @ Brownsville +5.5 o/u 13.5  This will be Dallas's first time playing outside this year, but not their first time against the Barracudas.  The last time they played each other the Sidekicks took the Barracudas down with a final score of 14-2.  Nestor Hernandez is back and I think he is due for a break out game with at least some goals and an assist.  If he and Lovegrove can get it going on offense, they should have no trouble covering five and a half.  13.5 seems pretty low for a Dallas game, considering that only one game has been under 10 combined points in which the Sidekicks have played.  Dallas covers and the game goes over.

Tulsa +9.5 @ Milwaukee -9.5 o/u 14.5  Milwaukee just lost 2 on the road, and what better way to shake off the losses than to slaughter the Revolution at home.  It seems like good teams always beat Tulsa by at least 9, so I will pick Milwaukee to cover and I will take the overs.

Chicago -2.5 @ Detroit +2.5 o/u 13.5  Like many teams have found out, earning a win in Detroit is never easy.  Detroit will be playing with extra fire in their bellies because they just lost to the Mustangs in a tough and hard fought game.  Before losing to Chicago, Detroit barely lost a close one to the Ambush in St. Louis.  Chicago, on the other hand, is trying to hold their third place spot in the Central division and fend of the Wichita B-52's, who have an opportunity to win a string of games and put themselves in the top three.  Detroit hangs within 2.5 of the Mustangs, but the speed and skill of players like Vaca and Wilo put the game over 13.5.

Syracuse +0.5 @ Rochester -0.5 o/u 16.5  I like the Lancers at home against a Syracuse team that has already played a game this week.  Rochester picked up Basso from Ontario, and he is good for at least a goal.  From what I have heard these teams like to play a physical game against each other, and I think this game will be very exciting to watch.  I think Rochester pulls it off at home, and since I have picked the overs in every game so far, and I will pick the overs in the rest of the games, I think I will pick the unders this time.

Turlock -3.5 @ Sacramento +3.5 o/u 14.5  Should I give Sacramento the points at home?  I don't know.  I did in the last game, but I don't think I will give it to them here.  Tovar should be able to take what he saw in the first game and figure out a good game plan for the second.  Turlock covers, but does the game go over 14,5?  So far every game in Sacramento has been over 14,5, so I guess I will go with the overs.  Watch, this game come back to bite me in the ass.  I wouldn't be surprised.

Oxford City F.C. +3.5 @ Wichita -3.5 o/u 12.5  The B-52's seem to have new life breathed into them after making some changes to their team recently.  Last time these two teams played each other Oxford City made out with the 10-9 win, and Oxford seems to be one of the most improved teams from last year.  Wichita wins, but Oxford City gets the points, and this game is going over 12.5.  I think this is the first time these two teams play each other since Farias switched teams, I predict fireworks.

Dallas -1.5 @ Hidalgo +1.5 o/u 12.5  Dallas should be weathered from the game and the travel, but Hidalgo doesn't seem like the team they were last year, and Dallas should be able to pull away from Hidalgo by at least 2 points.  12,5 seems pretty low, so I will take the overs.

Las Vegas +4.5 @ Monterrey -4.5 o/u 10.5  The Flash seem to be winning at home by a lot of points, but Vegas so far has been very good on the defensive side of the ball.  Monterrey hasn't played for more than 2 weeks, and I think it will be hard for them to hang more than 4 on the Legends.  This game will most definitely go over 10.5, but I am unsure on the spread.  I will say Las Vegas keeps it within 4.5, but I could change my mind before that, it all depends on who makes the trip, and I will find that out when the Legends play Saltillo.

Lavishly's Pick for Thursday Night MASL Week #9

        I am behind on this weeks picks, once again, so I am doing tonight's pick, and then burning the midnight oil to finish up the rest of the picks tonight.

Ontario -1.5 @ Seattle +1.5 over/under 18.5  The Seattle Impact just had a big signing in Jamar Beasley this week.  When Seattle came down to SoCal last week they lost both games, but they didn't look completely terrible as a team.  When the Impact played the Fury last week they were able to convert all of their power plays and kill 75% of Ontario's power plays.  It was the 3rd period, in which Ontario outscored the Impact 5-0, that really killed the Impact.  Even though they didn't play in the last game against Seattle, Tyrone Hall and Stephen Basso, were some big losses for the Fury, and like many teams who play in the MASL, who knows what team will travel for the Fury.  Will it be a complete Fury team, or will some player stay back?  I think that in this game I will give the points to Seattle, Beasley is good for a goal or two.  In the last game they played they racked up a total of 23 goals, but Ontario tends to score more at home then they do on the road, so I will take the unders in this game.

THE INDOOR OUTHOUSE POWER INDEX

        First of all I would like to thank Greg Ponto-Suttie, Cowboy Salazar, Dan Ryan, David Gammage, Sydney Nusinov, Dominic Scicluna, Linus Catowski, Jaymie Schepers, Kelly Kapinos, Bill Noris, Mike Royal, and Berto Issac Garcia for reading and commenting on last weeks INDOOR OUTHOUSE POWER INDEX.
        
        In the INDOOR OUTHOUSE POWER INDEX I will, first of all, put the top ten teams in my STABLE.  Then I will put the rest of THE HERD out to pasture (in no particular order).  Finally, I will drop THE DEUCE, the two teams in the MASL that are stinking up THE OUTHOUSE.

THE STABLE

1.  Missouri Comets  They struggled a little against the B-52's, but that doesn't concern me.  Leo Gibson, Missouri's stand out forward, leads the league in points with a combined 18 goals and 18 assists.  Not far behind them are Max Touloute and Vahid Assadpour with 20 points each.  The Comets have the best power play in the league, and their defense is top notch, led by Brian Harris and Danny Waltman in goal.
  
2.  Baltimore Blast  Baltimore beat the MKE Wave twice, and with little uncertainty. The Blast looked really good and definitely deserve to be in the top 3 teams of the league.  They are one of three undefeated teams in the league, and will play three straight road game to try and make it 9-0 on the season.  

3.  Milwaukee Wave  MKE played twice this weekend in Baltimore against the Blast, and they lost both games, but it is hard to fault the Wave heavily for losing twice to the Blast.  Milwaukee, after playing a grueling road schedule to start off the season, will play 6 straight home games for a change.  The home stand will not be a walk in the park, especially since they will have to face Missouri, Chicago, and Baltimore. 

4.  Monterrey Flash DNP

5.  Chicago Mustangs  The Mustangs were able to fend off a road weary Detroit Waza at home on Sunday, but will travel into Detroit for a rematch next weekend.  It will be a lot tougher for the Mustangs to pick up a win at the home of the Waza, where Detroit is 2-2 so far, with home losses against Rochester and MKE

6.  San Diego Sockers  There is definitely potential in this team, but it has yet to translate fully onto the field.  Despite beating the Impact with ease last weekend, the Sockers still managed to give up 5 straight goals at the end of the game.  Their was a lot of good things that the Sockers did, but their were some errors that, against a better team, would have really cost us.  San Diego prepares for a two game post X-mas road trip against the Comets and Ambush.  I am hoping the Comets will highlight the problems with the Sockers that need to be fixed before the postseason, and that the team will address these issues before our playoff run is cut short.  I am hard on my team because I expect the best.

7.  Dallas Sidekicks  Dallas has been cruising to victories ever since narrowly escaping the 3-5 B-52's with the overtime win.  The Sidekicks' next 5 games are "should win" games that will put them at 11-1 on the season and firmly in the second spot win the Southern Division behind Monterrey.

8.  Rochester Lancers  DNP

9.  Ontario Fury  I am surprised that the Fury didn't put away the Impact by more, considering Seattle had just played a game seventeen hours before that in SD, two of those hours which were spent traveling.  Nunez and Tiguinho seemed to be the taking the lions share of the shots on goal, but when guys like Sesay and Villela start cranking it up, Ontario will become a very potent offensive threat.  

10.  St. Louis Ambush  I was glad that St. Louis and Detroit put on such a good show for the ESPN 3 game of the week.  Both the Ambush and the Waza played strong games, and that last 2 minutes when Detroit pulled out the 6th attacker to try and even up the score was as action packed as you can get.  St. Louis, despite being a team sitting in 5th place in the Central Division, is no slouch of a team and can easily climb back into the playoff hunt with a few wins.  In reality they only need 2 wins to catch up with 2nd place MKE Wave but those 2 wins will not come easy given they play Chicago, San Diego, and Missouri in their next three games.  Milwaukee on the other hand will most likely win their next 2 games, putting even more distance between them and the Ambush.
 

THE HERD

Syracuse Silver Knights
Wichita B-52's
Detroit Waza Flo
Tulsa Revolution
Oxford City F.C.
Hidalgo La Fiera
Saltillo Rancho Seco
Brownsville Barracudas
Seattle Impact
Turlock Express
Las Vegas Legends

THE DEUCE

Harrisburg Heat and Sacramento Surge  Both teams are now 0-6.  Harrisburg has the worst penaltykill in the league, and the second worst powerplay in the league.  Sacramento has the worst attendance in the MASL and they don't have a player with more than 8 points, Gabriel Padilla, who is 82nd over all in total points.  Alright that is enough negativity.  

Lavishly's Picks

        To be honest with you, I was kind of getting bored with what I was doing before, so I am going to change up the way I am writing about the game of indoor soccer in the MASL.  I decided to use the expert predictions at Massey Ratings to aid me in writing about the MASL.  Remember Lavishly Handicapping and THE INDOOR OUTHOUSE does not condone gambling on these predictions.  This is all for funzies.  I enjoy blogging about the MASL in my spare time, and these predictions give me something to write about. I hope you enjoy.

Las Vegas -0.5 @ Turlock +0.5 over/under 12.5  Las Vegas is desperate for a win after giving up their last game at home to the Fury and going 2-4 on the season so far.  Turlock is a very good team who is even harder to beat when they are at home.  Turlock is coming off three tough losses in a row ,the last two against really good teams, and I doubt they lose four in a row.  Turlock wins, and I think they go over 12.5

Milwaukee +6.5 @ Baltimore -6.5 o/u 14.5  These two teams play each other twice this weekend, and I think Baltimore wins both games.  In the first game I would think that Baltimore covers, but in the second game I would give Milwaukee the points.  My guess is that travel fatigue will be a slight factor in the first game, plus it is the Blasts real first true test of the season, and in the second game, Milwaukee will find a way to keep it closer.  The first game goes over, and the second game stays under.

Hidalgo -3.5 @ Saltillo +3.5 o/u 16.5  Satillo has struggled so far this year, but the fact that they are playing at home is worth a few points, especially against a Hidalgo team that has been in flux these past few weeks.  I would give Saltillo the points, and stick to the overs.

Seattle +4.5 @ San Diego -4.5 o/u 10.5  The spread on this one seems like it is on the money, it is a hard one to call, but I think that they will score over 10.5 combined points for sure, especially after that poor showing that they had last week.  Seattle doesn't seem to shabby lately and should be able to find a way to score at least 5 total points.

Detroit +0.5 @ St. Louis -0.5 o/u 15.5  Detroit seems to be finding out how to win games this season, but on the road against a decent team like the Ambush will be a challenge.  I think that the Ambush pull out the win, but the game stays under 15.5.

Wichita +7.5 @ Missouri -7.5 o/u 19.5  Wichita seems to have caught a spark with their new coach and pulled off a big win against the Mustangs last week.  Missouri also pulled off a big win last week against Chicago at home.  7.5 seems like a lot of points so I will give the B-52's the points, but I think the game stays under.

Harrisburg +10.5 @ Syracuse -10.5 o/u 18.5  10.5 seems like a lot of points, but this is a MPS game and the Heat are terrible.  The Heat lose #6 of 20, and Syracuse covers 10.5 doing it.  This game goes over 18.5.

Las Vegas -3.5 @ Sacramento +3.5 o/u 11.5  Sacamento have not won a game, and they will not win this game.  Vegas finds a way to score more than 3.5, especially against a week team like the Surge.  I would take the overs, I don't think that the Surge can hold back the offensive weapons that the Legends have,

Tulsa -0.5 @ Oxford City F.C. +0.5 o/u 14.5  Oxford City is having a better year than I thought this season, and with the addition of Farias, should be able to out score a team like the Revolution.  Oxford  wins this game, and I think they hit the overs.

Tulsa +5.5 @ Dallas -5.5 o/u 13.5  Dallas gets back Nestor Hernandez and hosts a team who will be playing their second game in a row.  I think that Dallas covers 5.5 in a complete blow out of the Revolution at home.  I also think that this game goes over 13.5

Detroit +2.5 @ Chicago -2.5 o/u 12.5  If their is one team that has almost always found a way to give the Mustangs trouble, it is the Waza Flo.  Detroit is catching their stride both offensively and defensively and should put on a good show in Chicago.  The Mustangs just lost two games in a row and will be looking to right the ship at home.  I would give Detroit the points in this one, but I think they will cover the overs.

Oxford City F.C +1.5 @ Hidalgo -1.5 o/u 13.5  This will be the second game for both teams, and I think this prediction is right on.  If I had to guess I think that Oxford will come within 1.5 points, but I have a feeling this game is a low scoring affair, so I would think that it stays under.

Seattle +3.5 @ Ontario -3.5 o/u 12.5  Ontario is hot off of a win at home and is sitting in the second place spot in the Pacific.  Seattle will just be coming off of a loss in San Diego and will be fatigued from travel.  The Fury's offense seems to be taking shape in these past few games, and I think that they will both cover 3.5 and score enough points to hit the overs.

Saltillo +7.5 @ Monterrey -7.5 o/u 15.5  Monterrey has done a good job of piling on points at home, and against a Saltillo team that has already played a game, they should have no trouble pulling away from Rancho Seco and both covering 7.5 and hitting the overs.

THE INDOOR OUTHOUSE POWER INDEX

        In the INDOOR OUTHOUSE POWER INDEX I will, first of all, put the top ten teams in my STABLE.  Then I will put the rest of THE HERD out to pasture (in no particular order).  Finally, I will drop THE DEUCE, the two teams in the MASL that are stinking up THE OUTHOUSE.

STABLE

1. Missouri Comets  The Comets, by far, seem like the best team in the MASL.  They play smartly as a team, they are fast, and they have great individual talent.  They have played tough games and won them all.  They are the defending champs and it shows in their play.

2. Milwaukee Wave  The MKE Wave have played some tough opponents and played them well.  They played well in their loss to the Comets and their loss to Chicago, their 5th straight road game, highlighted their ability to stick to a solid game plan, keep their heads, and play their way back into a game.  

3. Baltimore Blast  The Blast haven't played a winning team yet this season, but I have respect for that franchise, and I know enough to put them in my stable.  They play MKE Wave next week, their first true test of the season.

4. Monterrey Flash  The Flash are 8-0, but six of those wins are against the 3 bottom divisional opponents, who have a combined record of 4-13.  The Flash have amazing speed and individual skill, they will most likely win the Southern Division, and maybe go undefeated through the regular season, but they will need to go though Las Vegas, Missouri, and Dallas if they want to make that happen.  

5. Chicago Mustangs  I debated whether or not to put the Sockers in the 5th spot, or the Mustangs, and I decided on Chicago.  I put the Mustangs here because they are the defending PASL champs, and they have had a very difficult schedule this year in probably the toughest division.  Their last two games were particularly bad, exposing some of their weaknesses that before stayed hidden.  Chicago has some excellent individual talent, and some players with amazing speed, an aspect that makes them difficult for opposing teams to handle.  On the other hand, they struggled against teams who can dominate possession, were easily forced into mistakes under pressure, and are rarely able to pass the ball in the opponents quarter of the field, instead deferring to individual challenges and breakaway opportunities. 

6. San Diego Sockers  The Sockers have great individual talent, and they so far have played like it.  Watching the Sockers in action shows that they have a ton of potential, but are far from playing at the caliber necessary to compete with the best teams in the league.  Their last game against Turlock really left me baffled as to what was going on down on the field.  The passes, communication, and play making just wasn't there as a collective, and it seemed like the slightest bit of adversity and misfortune during the course of a game brings the dog out in my boys.  San Diego has one more home game to tune up their act before going on the road after Christmas for a difficult 2 game road trip.  

7. Dallas Sidekicks  The Sidekicks have come a long way since the beginning of the season, and the addition of Nestor Hernandez will be a big boost to the Dallas line-up.  Once again the Sidekicks have the disadvantage of playing a weaker strength of schedule, but when they make it to the playoffs they will not be a team to sleep on.  The main core of this team has been together long enough, and the veteran leadership on the team is such that given adversity, this team can keep their heads and make the necessary plays to persevere in the end.  

8. Rochester Lancers  The Lancers are off to a pretty good start at 3-1, but will have to play some really good soccer if they are going to stay above .500, especially with games against Syracuse, Baltimore, MKE, and Chicago coming up. 

9. Ontario Fury  When they are at full strength they play really well, and they played well against most of their opponents this year.  The Fury are playing a 4 game stretch of games that could put them well into the 2nd place spot in the Western Division and secure them a spot in the Playoffs.  

10. Detroit Waza Flo  Detroit has really struggled at times this season, either getting blown out completely, or just being unable to get anything going on the field, but then they come out of nowhere and look like the Waza Flo of old and seeming virtually unstoppable as a unit.  I know not to put them out of my stable because Detroit will fight to the end, and most likely fight their way into the win column.  All the Waza have to do is make it into the postseason, and their chances of winning the Ron Newman Cup are a good as anybody.   

THE HERD

Syracuse Silver Knights
Wichita B-52's
St. Louis Ambush
Tulsa Revolution
Oxford City F.C.
Hidalgo La Fiera
Saltillo Rancho Seco
Brownsville Barracudas
Seattle Impact
Turlock Express
Las Vegas Legends


THE DEUCE

The Harrisburg Heat and The Sacramento Surge  Both teams are 0-5.  Pee Yew! Light a match and open a window, unless you are in Harrisburg where it is too cold to open a window, in that case light another friggen match.  Of the two team, I think that Sacramento has the best chance of picking up a win in their 2 games against Seattle than Harrisburg does against St Louis. 

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week #7

St. Louis Ambush @ Milwaukee Wave  A nice brand new black field, their first home game of the season, a team they have beaten twice before, 8-4 both time actually.  That black field is a trip, maybe they can turn out the lights, crank up the black lights, put the Wizard of Oz on the screens, and pipe in Dark Side of the Moon.  I would by a ticket, drink a bottle of Robitussin, and peep that show any night.  I guess since both times they played before it was 8 to 4 I will assume that I should base my lines off of that score.  Milwaukee -4 o/u 12

Hidalgo La Fiera @ Dallas Sidekicks  The news out of Hidalgo is less than comforting, no coach, players bailing, ugly situation that is.  I guess Dallas fans will be treated to a beat down at the AEC tomorrow night.  So Sidekick fans sit back, eat a slice of pizza, I hear from reliable sources that it is good, or maybe try the BBQ, that sounds delicious.  Dallas -5.5 o/u 14

Turlock Express @ San Diego Sockers  The Express have put on some good showing in the past at the VVCC.  They have some good talent and have been improving all season, but fell to the Impact in their last outing.  I expect this game to be tight in the first half, but then get away from the Express in the second.  But what the hell do I know, I am wrong all of the time, that is why for this game I got in contact with a real bookie working the streets of San Diego.  My brother in law told me about him.  He used him back when he got involved in high stakes beer pong, around the time Brittany Spears had a shaved head and made people feel sorry for her.  His name is Sleazy El, and all I had to do is find him and give him an offering of a six pack of Bartles and James wine coolers, and a bucket of fried chicken.  Dark meat.
        So I ventured down to the spot where Sleazy El is know to hang out, the Chuck E. Cheese on Sports Arena Blvd.  He is know to hang out there and set odds on the Skee Ball when he is not at the Old Town Train Station gambling on train arrivals with the bums.  When I found him he was in a heated discussion with some kids about being over the line on Skee Ball, but when he saw the fried chicken and the Fuzzy Navels he pushed the kids away, shoved the rest of his tokens and tickets in his pockets and instructed me to follow him.  "The fried chicken and cheap alcohol got your foot in the door man, but I require more" he said.  "What else do you want?" I asked. "Double double animal style, not lettuce." he stated.  "What about the fried chicken?" I said.  "That is for my pet cat man, Mr. Fluffy Booty has one hell of an appetite man."
        As we sat outside the In and Out watching the traffic turn off of Rosecrans and speed off down Sports Arena, Sleazy El finished up his burger and washed it down with a wine cooler.  Then he pulled a notebook from his back pocket and started to thumb through the pages.  "I got the lines on Lingerie Football League, whale watching tours, bum fights, traffic lights, CIF football, what do you need?"  "MASL" I said, "Turlock at San Diego"  "Ahh yes, Turlock.  Figgen Queeks Tovar, that dude can play man. I will give the line, but the over/under will cost extra."  "That's BS Sleazy El!" I hollered, "What do you want?"  "Give me a ride to Imperial Beach, there is a high steaks one armed chicken fight, Baja Rules, wanna go?"  So I thanked Sleazy El for the line, walked to the train station, and caught the Surfliner back to C-Bad to go skinny dipping in my brother in laws hot tub, without him knowing.  Your Welcome Billy. San Diego -2.5   

Brownsville Barracudas @ Oxford City F.C.  Oxford and Brownsville got something going between them, they are pretty evenly matched and had a close game in their last meet up.  F.C. is at home so I will give them the advantage.  Oxford City -1.5 o/u 11

Syracuse Silver Knights @ Detroit Waza Flo  I get the feeling that on the road Detroit Waza and Melvindale Arena Detroit Waza are two different animals.  Syracuse has some talent on their side, but have only found the win column once this season.  Detroit's season has  been a series of ups and downs so far.  This should be a fun game to watch with some physical play and some verbal exchanges.  Both teams have some strong personalities that should provide some good entertainment and some get the sparks a flyin.  Syracuse -1.5 o/u 14.5

Rochester Lancers @ Harrisburg Heat  The Heat lose game # 5 of 20.  Rochester - 3.5 o/u 16

Missouri Comets @ Tulsa Revolution  Missouri is riding high on the horse after dealing a terrible blow to the Mustangs at home.  Tulsa should be a cake walk for the Comets, who are undefeated on the season.  Missouri -8 o/u 16

Chicago Mustangs @ Wichita B-52's  Chicago is devastated after being abashed on the road by the Comets.  Wichita has a new coach and seems to have some momentum after winning against the Revolution.  I don't have a clue where to set this line, so I am going to the dice.  I say 1 die for the spread.  5.  And 3 for the over/under.  6, 4, 3.  There you have it folks, the dice have spoken.  The line is in.  Chicago -5 o/u 13

Turlock Express @ Ontario Fury  This will be a tough one for Turlock.  Ontario is riding a 2 game winning streak, they are playing at home, and are battling with the Express for second place in the Pacific Division. Tiguinho has come alive on offense, Piffer has found his groove on defense, and Sesay seems to be improving play with every game.  Tovar is still the Boss Hog on the Express.  He is the Ronnie Lott on defense, the Adam Oates on offense, and the Miguel Herrera on the bench.  Robledo can find the back of the net on offense, while Gutierrez can dish out the assists from the midfield.  Turlock plays them close.  Ontario -2 o/u 18

Sacramento Surge @ Seattle Impact  If I am watching this game, it is only because I threw my remote down the hall, I tore up the paper with all of my picks on it, and the Chargers are lookin like Chumps at the Q.  The Patriots are favored by 4, and it is hard not the think that New England will pull off the win.  I don't see Brady and the Hoodie loosing 2 in a row this late in the season.  A win for the Chargers would be absolutely massive, and even better for the Chargers' playoff hopes.  I would like to see a little more from Matthews in this game, but Gates and Oliver have been nice to watch.  SD is finishing out the season with a really hard schedule, but all the better to go into the post season on a hot streak and playing at out best.  Oh yeah the soccer game.  Seattle -6.5 o/u 17

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week #7

Chicago Mustangs @ Missouri Comets  The Mustangs, hot of a big win at home against the Milwaukee Wave, go into Missouri to take on the 5-0 Comets.  This is a rematch for these two teams, who just happen to both be defending champs from last season.  Last time they played it took a full half for the Mustangs to get into the game, but buy that time it was too late, and the Comets won the game with points to spare.  This game will be different.  Both teams have played at least 4 games, and both teams have played games inside their division, the Central division, which looks like the toughest division in all of the MASL.  I can't wait to watch this game, which will showcase two of the best teams in the MASL battling it out in front of one of the best crowds in the league.  This will be close, but I got to give the home team the point advantage, especially given that the Comets have a large group of loyal fans that fill their Arena.   Missouri -1 o/u 15  

Monterrey Flash @ Saltillo Rancho Seco  Monterrey is too damn good to not put this game away.  Saltillo is still looking for their first win of the season, but at home against the Flash is not where they will find it.  Monterrey -5.5 o/u 17

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week #6

Turlock Express @ Seattle Impact   Who knows what the hell is going on with the Impact?  I have read the press releases and heard the sound bites, I have my opinon, and I am guessing that it is no different from most other people.  Turlock is a good team under talented leadership and I expect them to win the game.  Turlock -2.5 o/u 14.5

Milwaukee Wave @ St. Louis Ambush  Milwaukee has already beaten the Ambush in St. Louis once this year, and I think that they will once again beat the Ambush, but it will be a closer contest as both teams have more games in the books.  The Wave had a lot more shots on goal last game, and Bennett and Oliveira notched two goals a piece to lead Milwaukee to an 8-4 victory.  Crook had a good game in goal for the Ambush with 17 saves, and will again need to keep the shots out if St. Louis is going to stand a chance.  Milwaukee -3  o/u 14

Monterrey Flash @ Saltillo Rancho Seco  This is the first true test for Rancho Seco this season.  Last season, Monterrey never scored more than 9 goals while playing in Saltillo.  Monterrey hasn't lost a game yet this season, and their first loss will not be today.  Monterrey -5.5 o/u 15

Oxford City F.C. @ Brownsville Barracudas  I want to watch this game, I am interested in seeing what Oxford City F.C. looks like, and what some of their new key players look like on the field. The game will be held a the Brownsville facility, which should give the Barracudas at least a point.  I think Oxford wins narrowly.  Oxford -1 o/u 13.5  I just read that Oxford picked up Farias, he is good for 2 goals.  Oxford -3 o/u 14.5

Baltimore Blast @ Syracuse Silver Knights  Baltimore already beat Syracuse once this season in a game that saw Baltimore go 2 for 2 on power plays and dominate the score board in the second half of the game.  Syracuse opened up at home with a dominate win over the Fury, but their home win streak ends with a loss to the Blast.  Baltimore -5.5 o/u 22.5

Detroit Waza Flo @ Rochester Lancers  Assuming that the complete Detroit team makes it to Rochester with time to spare, this should be a good game.  Rochester narrowly escaped last time these two teams met in golden goal overtime, and again I think that this will be a closely contested game.  Rochester -3.5 o/u 25.5

Milwaukee Wave @ Chicago Mustangs  After beating the Ambush in St. Louis, but then hosting the Ambush in Chicago and losing, Chicago has yet to find the win column at home this season, and I highly doubt that win will come against the Wave this weekend.  It is hard not be down on the Mustangs right now.  Last year, after cruising to an undefeated season in a division with 3 now defunct teams,  Chicago went on the Ron Newman cup final to beat the now defunct Cleveland Freeze.  In the Finals they blew out Hidalgo La Fiera, who unfortunately this season doesn't seem like the La Fiera of last season.  Last week, pictures of an empty stadium were circulated before Chicago lost to the previously winless  Ambush.  The Mustangs could really use a win, especially against a good team like Milwaukee, but I doubt that will happen, unless they host the game at the Grand Sports Park, where the Mustangs haven't lost since the 2012-2013 season.  Milwaukee -2.5 o/u 14

Missouri Comets @ Harrisburg Heat  Harrisburg loses game 4 of 20 in the 3rd shutout of the season.  Missouri -26 o/u 26

Wichita B-52's @ Tulsa Revolution  It seems as if the B-52's have stalled out, and now come the nosedive into the ground.  Tulsa -1 o/u 12

Oxford City F.C. @ Hidalgo La Fiera  La Fiera have already beaten F.C. once, and again they win, but this time in Hidalgo.  Hidalgo -3.5 o/u 16  I predict that Farias is in the box at least once and he scores at least once against his old team.  Hidalgo -1.5 o/u 14

Brownsville Barracudas @ Monterrey Flash  The Barracudas hung in with the Flash for the first half last time they met in Monterrey, but this time will be different.  Monterrey will win this game decisively at home.  Monterrey -6.5 o/u 18

Ontario Fury @ Las Vegas Legends  This should be a fun game to watch, but given that it is a Tuesday night game I doubt their will be a lot of people watching.  Ontario ended their last road trip with a win in Rochester, and Las Vegas is coming off of a big win against the Sockers.  The Las Vegas offense finally came to life in their last game, and their defense is still one of the best in the league.  Las Vegas -2 o/u 12

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week #5 part 4

Dallas Sidekicks @ Wichita B-52's  Wichita is coming off of a loss, and Dallas is coming off of a win, obviously, but Dallas is the better team here and should win the game with ease.  The B-52's were no match for the Comets, but at home should put up a better fight with the sidekicks and keep it closer. Dallas -3.5 o/u 14

San Diego Sockers @ Las Vegas Legends  Las Vegas is a great team defensively, but without Tovar on the team their offense is left wanting.  Guy's like Sobriera and Campos who were once great offensive threats are no longer getting the great feeds like last year and now struggle to put any points on the board.  Things could be different in Vegas, but I am not going to bet on it.  San Diego wins at the Orleans.  San Diego -2.5 o/u 12

Monterrey Flash @ Hidalgo La Fiera  I get the feeling that Hidalgo last year was a better team than Hidalgo this year, and that Hidalgo this year will struggle a lot.  Monterrey is fast, and Monterrey can score.  Monterrey wins.  Monterrey -4.5 o/u 16

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week #5 part 3

Hidalgo La Fiera @ Brownsville Barracudas  Brownsville where blown out by the Sidekicks last week, but now get to play at home against the 1-1 La Fiera.  Brownsville have a shot to win at home, but La Fiera is just too good of team to  give up the game against Barracudas, especially when Gamboa is playing a good game.  Robson de Souza has been having a great season so far, and I am interested in seeing if he can keep it going at home.  Moises Gonzolez seems to be the offensive stand out for Brownsville, but they will need more than one guy if they want to beat La Fiera at home.   Hidalgo -2 o/u 13.5

Ontario Fury @ Rochester Lancers  Rochester opens up at home against an Ontario team the will have just flown across the US to play a game the night before in Syracuse before traveling to Rochester to play another game.  Ontario keeps it close, but loses their second game of the week in a close one,  Rochester -1 o/u 14

Saltillo Rancho Seco @ Oxford City F.C.  Oxford City picked up their first win on the road against the B-52's, and will pick up their second win at home against Saltillo.  Oxford City -0.5 o/u 15.5

Dallas Sidekicks @ Tulsa Revolution  Dallas seems to have found their stride as a team and will continue their winning ways for at least 8 out their next 10 games.  Tulsa will inevitably loose this game, falling to 1-2. Dallas -4.5 o/u 17

Turlock  Express @ Sacramento Surge  Turlock is the better team.  Under Tovar's leadership,  the Express are developing into a better indoor team all together.  Tovar, who is tied for third in points sofar, is still producing on the field as he takes on the roll of player coach for the Express.  The Surge fall to 0-4 on the season, 4-31 lifetime.  Turlock -4.5 o/u 15.5

Milwaukee Wave @ Detroit Waza Flo  It is not easy to go into the Melvindale Arena and beat Detroit.  Melvindale Arena is a smaller field, with lower ceilings, and lower walls around the goals.  Also, Detroit usually is full strength at home, so they always have a strong bench to back up all of their experienced players, and they have their loyal fans to support them.  As Detroit proved when they hosted Rochester, they play a very physical game that wears on their opponent, and they don't go down without fight.  Players like Otieno, Simpson, and Quinn can physically wear on opposing players.  Milwaukee is coming off of a tough loss against Missouri, and is in the middle of a 5 game road stint to start off the season before their home opener next month.  I am up in the air about this one, I expect Milwaukee to win, but this feels like it could be a trap game of sorts and Detroit could pull off a win.  I will go to my trusty dice, but first I will flip a coin to see who will win, heads Detroit, tails Milwaukee.  Tails.  Ok, one die for the spread, and 4.  Ok, 3 dice for the over under, and 6,5,and 2.  Milwaukee -4 o/u 13

St. Louis Ambush  @ Chicago Mustangs  Chicago wins their second game against the Ambush this year, but in a closer game than last time. Miguel Vaca has been relativly quite so far this season, and I bet that changes this game.  I have a feeling that he pulls off a hat trick at home, along with his first assist of the season.  Guilherme Veiga has played strong on the defensive side of the ball with 2 block shots and his physical style of play, but on offense he has notched 2 assists and proven his worth as a multidimensional type of player, I wouldn't be surprised to see him notch his first goal of the season as well.  The Mustangs win at home.  Chicago -3.5 over/under 15

Wichita B-52's @ Missouri Comets  The B-52's don't stand a chance against a great team like Missouri, especially when the Comets have the home field advantage.  Missouri -5.5 o/u 17

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week #5 part 2

Ontario Fury @ Syracuse Silver Knights  Syracuse lost on the road to the Blast, and now open up at home against the Fury.  Ontario struggled to get their offense going against the Sockers last Sunday, when they only managed to pull off 2 goals against San Diego.  I don't think that Syracuse will be any easier. Tino Nunez was held quite by the SD defense in the Fury's loss last Sunday, Ontario can't let that happen again.  Nunez is a dynamic player that needs to get into the game if Ontario is going to have a chance to win.  Israel Sesay, who scored the first goal for the Fury last week, has the speed and skill to make Syracuse pay if he can get some good opportunities.  I am interested in seeing how the Silver Knights look at home now that they have a game under their belt and have gotten their feet wet in the 2014 season. Syracuse -2.5 o/u 14

Harrisburg Heat @ Baltimore Blast  I think that Baltimore will once again get a shutout at home, and the Heat will lose game 3 of 20.  Baltimore -24 o/u 24

Lavishly's Line MASL Week #5

Las Vegas Legends @ San Diego Sockers  San Diego is 3-0, but how long will the winning streak last? Especially since they will be playing Las Vegas twice this weekend.  Las Vegas is playing great defense this season, and the proof is in the pudding.  The Legends held the fast paced high powered offense of the Monterrey Flash to only 3 goals, and kept the Sockers to only 5 goals in San Diego.  It is only a matter of time until the Vegas offense finds the back of the net more times than than their defense allows in opposing goals.  I think that Vegas will hold back the Sockers offense and find a way to pull out a close win on the road.  My biggest reason for believing that Las Vegas is going to win tonight is the fact that my "Cooler" brother in law is going to go to the game.  If you are new to THE INDOOR OUTHOUSE, or you don't remember why my brother in law is "The Cooler", read what happened last year when I brought "The Cooler" to the first 2 home games of the season. http://theindoorouthouse.blogspot.com/2013/11/sure-it-is-safe-trust-me.html  Las Vegas -0.5 over/under 11

Side Bet  The number of beers I drink Over/under 2.5 

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week #4

Texas Strikers @ Tulsa Revolution  Oh man, this is tough.  Tulsa is at home, and the Strikers are not that good, but the Strikers scored 7 times on La Fiera,and I don't know that Tulsa could pull that off against Hidalgo.  I am going to the dice on this one.  I will favor the home team in this one, and I will roll on of the dice for the spread.  2.  And now I will roll three dice for for the over under.  10.  The dice have spoken.  Tulsa -2 over/under 10

Detroit Waza Flo @ Baltimore Blast  This is going to be tough for the Waza Flo, especially without Dominic, but I have seen Detroit play good without Dom on the field.  Detroit is coming off of tough OT loss at home, and have yet to play a game on the road.  I think that a larger field will showcase the speed of some of the Detroit players that is often lost in the smaller Melvindale Arena.  I also think that Costea Decu is very dangerous with more space to operate.  Baltimore is no joke, and they have the home field advantage.  This game will be MPS so I gotta think about this for a second...ok.  I think Baltimore wins at home.  Baltimore - 5.5 o/u 20

Seattle Impact @ Turlock Express  It is hard to go into Turlock and pull off a win against the Express, and I doubt that the Impact will pull it off.  Seattle wasn't completely inept in their game against the Sockers, they had some ballers and some speed, but the smaller Turlock field is the great equalizer.  I am interested to see what kind of team Seattle turns out to be further into the season, but for now, Turlock wins a close one.  Turlock -1.5 o/u 14

Brownsville Barracudas @ Dallas Sidekicks  I am interested to see this game now that both teams have 2 games in the books.  Will the Sidekicks return to old form and play a strong game from beginning to end?  Will Brownsville be a more refined team now that they have played some games at a high level?  This game should be a good measuring stick for both teams, and give us an idea of what both teams are made of.  Dallas -2.5 o/u 16 

Detroit Waza Flo @ Harrisburg Heat  This could be a very long season for the Harrisburg Heat.  If they can't pull off a win at home against Detroit in this game, then there is a very good possibility that they lose their first 13 games.  What the hell, I am calling it now. You all heard it at THE INDOOR OUTHOUSE. I predict that Harrisburg wins 0 games this season.  Detroit -3.5 o/u 14.5  oh wait, this is MPS right?  so in that case I will just double up what I had.  Detroit -7 o/u 29

Seattle Impact @ Sacramento Surge  Sacramento is at home, but I don't think that helps them much.  Seattle will be playing their second game of the weekend.  I think that Seattle is probably a better team, but I don't have  a clue on the spread or the over/under.  So once again I am going to the dice.  I will roll the first one for the spread.  3.  And now I will roll three dice for the over/under.  OK, 5, 3, and 5.  Alright the fates have spoken.  Seattle -3 over/under 13

Milwaukee Wave @ Missouri Comets  So I guess the Milwaukee Wave aren't as good as they were last year, or at least that is what I have heard.  I read that this game is sold out in Missouri, man that would be fun to go too.  Missouri is a good team and haven't lost a game yet this season, and I doubt they lose their home opener.  Missouri -3 o/u 14.5

Chicago Mustangs @ St. Louis Ambush  Chicago took a while to find their rhythm in their last game, but I don't think that will be the case in their first away game of the season.  I have a feeling that Vaca returns to his old form in this game and scores at least 2 goals.  St. Louis plays a good game at home, but falls short in a close battle with the Mustangs.  Chicago -1 o/u 13.5

Texas Strikers @ Wichita B-52's  Wichita is an improved team and will win their second home game in a row.  On a side bet, Alex Mosley scores a hat trick in this home blowout for the B-52's.  Texas will continue their losing streak.  Wichita -5.5 o/u 16

Ontario Fury @ San Diego Sockers  I know that the Sockers haven't lost a game yet this season, but that doesn't mean I am completely confident in how they are playing.  Ontario scares me.  Vegas I know is a good team and I know what to expect when we play them, but Ontario is a little more tricky to gauge.  The Fury got back Sesay and Piffer, and have other weapons like Nunez, who can make all sorts of tricky shots, and Tiguinho, who can facilitate great plays and create opportunities on offense.  I am interested in seeing how the Sockers have gelled since the last home game.  Are they a team with some great players, or are they a unit that operates like clockwork.  I am guessing that they are far from clockwork, but much improved since their home opener.  San Diego -1 o/u 12.5 

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week #4

Hidalgo La Fiera @ Monterrey Flash This is a rematch of last years playoff game where Hidalgo limped away with the win in a chippy game that saw 49 fouls, 24 penalty minutes, and 1 bitch slapped referee.  Hidalgo has only played the Texas Strikers so far this season and walked away with the win, but Monterrey has played three games, and is coming off a close win against a very talented Las Vegas Legends.  The only thing that hurts the Flash coming into this game is the fact that they played a game Sunday night in Vegas, traveled back to Monterrey, Mexico, and are now playing a game 3 days later.  If Gamboa can have a good game in goal, and Hidalgo can keep control of the pace of play, then La Fiera will keep this game close, but that will be a tall order against the 3-0 Flash.  Monterrey Flash -2 o/u 14  

Lavishly's Lines MASL Week # 3

Monterrey Flash @ Ontario Fury  Ontario opens up their season at home against a very good Monterrey Flash team that had a scoring party on the Barracudas at home to open their season.  This should be a really fun game to watch, and if I could make the trip up to Ontario, I would, but I can't.  Ontario has some good offensive weapons on their bench, and after a disappointing 20013-14 season, they should be on the list of teams that are contending for the playoffs at the end of this season.  I am guessing that the game is a close one with some spectacular goals from both sides.  Monterrey -1 over/under 17 

Brownsville Barracudas @ Saltillo Rancho Seco  A rematch of last week's game, but this time in Saltillo.  Brownsville won the game in exciting fashion last week, but I will bet against Brownsville winning two in a row against Rancho Seco in Saltillo.  I think that once again their will be a lot of scoring, the game will be close, but Saltillo pulls out the win at home.  Saltillo -0.5 o/u 20

Missouri Comets @ Chicago Mustangs  I can hear it now.  If Chicago wins, cries from the hoards of PASL fans from around the world will be heard lauding the greatness of the PASL, and how the MISL was, and will always be, the lesser of the two leagues.  On the other hand, if Missouri wins, the East Coast Bias will proclaim that this single game proves what they have known all along, that the MISL was the superior league.  Horse hockey I say.  Hogwash.  I think its a game at the beginning of the season between two good teams, and only that.  I understand that both teams were champions last year in their respective leagues,  but this year is a new season, with new teams, new divisions, and new rules.  Both leagues were good.  Both leagues had some good teams.  Both leagues had some not so good teams.  I see things as pretty balanced, but I could be wrong, and if at the end of the season the 6 former MISL teams hold the top 6 spots in the league, then I will have Ed Dravecky and Alan Balthrop cook me up a crow casserole.  Until then hold on to the overreaction and rash judgements.  Missouri has a game under their belt, and will be well prepared for the match.  Home debuts can be tough on teams, lots of emotions to control, and since this is Chicago's first game I think that they are actually at a disadvantage in this game.  Missouri -0.5 over/under 13.5    

Tulsa Revolution @ Wichita B-52's  Tulsa spent a good amount of time as a Deuce last season, and they have never won a game on the road, and they won't get their first win of the season in Wichita.  The B-52's win this game with ease.  Wichita -4.5 o/u 17

Hidalgo La Fiera @ Texas Strikers  When the Strikers win a game this season, then I will call them by their new name.  You can put a turd in between to pieces of bread, place it in the deli window with some pretty garnish, charge a high price, serve it with chips and a drink and call it a delicacy, but at the end of the meal, you still just ate a shit sandwich.  Hidalgo -6.5 o/u 15.5

Rochester Lancers @ Detroit Waza Flo  Detroit hosts a MISL team for the first time this season, and this one will be fun to watch.  The Waza had a comfortable lead through out their last game against the Heat, and again I think that the Waza will win this game.  I know nothing about the Lancers, but I can read, and when you read last year's MISL standings you will see that the Lancers only won 6 games last year.  They beat the now defunct 1-19 Pennsylvania Roar 4 of those times, and also picked up a win against the .200 St. Louis Ambush.  Detroit has a good win under their caps and are going into the weekend with some momentum.  Detroit - 2 o/u 14

San Diego Sockers @ Seattle Impact  The Sockers were a sloppy mess last week, and they really need to iron some things out on the field.  A game like this is much needed by the Golden Socks to address last weeks shortcomings, get some of the newer players plenty of touches, and build the confidence of the younger players.  Even though San Diego won last week, the adjectives used to describe the game were less than flattering.  "Ugly",  "Lucky",  "Crusty",  "Sloppy", and "Like Shit" were all words that I heard players and fans use to describe the game as I sat in my seat holding my daughter while my son jockeyed to get player's autographs after the game.  I have no clue what the Impact will look like, but I doubt it will be anything that can beat the Sockers.  San Diego -3.5 o/u 15.5

Milwaukee Wave @ St. Louis Ambush  One thing I do know about the former MISL was that last season the Wave were a lot better than the Ambush.  Milwaukee -7.5 o/u 18.5

Syracuse Silver Knights @ Baltimore Blast  I am open minded.  I have never seen MPS.  I am interested in what it looks like and how is affects the game.  I will give it a fair shot and reserve my judgment until later into the season.  Syracuse have beaten the Blast before, but I doubt they do it on the road in the Baltimore home opener.  Baltimore - 4.5 o/u 18.5 (MPS)

Monterrey Flash @ Las Vegas Legends  Las Vegas is a good team, and the Flash will be coming off of a game on Friday night in Ontario.  The Flash are a good team as well, but the fatigue of travel and of the previous game will affect their play, especially this early in the season. I think that the key to the game for the Legends is possession.  Las Vegas needs to keep the Flash from playing a fast pace game with lots of 1 on 1 breakaways and wild rebound shots.  The Flash on the other hand can shoot from distance and have lots of players with bursting speed.  This game will be fun to watch and it would be crazy if Vegas went into OT three games in a row.  Las Vegas -0.5 o/u 14.5

Sacramento Surge @ Ontario Fury  The Fury start MASL week #3 out with the first game, and end it with the last game.  Sacramento have never really been a team to get excited about, and I am sure that this season won't be any different.  Ontario on paper look like a good team, but need to prove it in between the walls.  The Fury will win, and Sacramento will pick up the second loss of the season, putting them at 4-28 lifetime.  Ontario -5.5 o/u 16.5

Lavishly's Lines for MASL Week #2

Saltillo Rancho Seco @ Brownsville Barracudas  The Barracudas played a strong first half against the Monterrey Flash last week, but fell apart in the second half against a more talented squad. Despite the loss on the road, I think Brownsville will have a strong opening home game.  Rancho Seco gained a lot of experience last year playing in a really tough division, and will be strong team in a strong division this year.  Until I see more of the Barracudas, I have to favor Saltillo, but I think Brownsville will play a better, more complete game at home.  Saltillo Rancho Seco - 2.5 over/under 19

Wichita B-52's @ Dallas Sidekicks  We all know that Dallas got blown out in their home opener, but I highly doubt that the Sidekicks drop two in a row at home.  The B-52's were a good team last year, and I am sure that Wichita will be a stronger team this year, but I have a feeling that Tatu will address the last games short comings, and Dallas will be a more prepared team when they take the field again at the Allen Events Center.  I think Dallas will prevail in a closely contested game against a much improved Wichita side.  Dallas -2 o/u 14

Las Vegas Legends @ San Diego Sockers  Last season, during the Ron Newman Cup Final between Chicago and Hidalgo, I stopped watching the game at halftime, left my house, hopped in a car with some friends, and rode down to the Valley View Casino to watch Tool put on an absolutely amazing concert.  It was such an amazing concert that I completely forgot about everything that happened during the 2013-2014 PASL season.  I forgot about the Sockers losing to Las Vegas at home in an exciting physical match on the night of January 11th.  I also forgot about the upsetting loss on the road in Vegas, which kept the Sockers from advancing, and ended their season too early.  I forgot about the rivalry that the two teams have developed over the past, and how the last two game have brought out the dog in San Diego.  I also doubt that any of the players have been thinking about this game, a rematch with pride on the line, and the opening game of the season here in San Diego.  I also doubt that the fans smell blood, or will be completely whipped up into a frenzy like a bunch of blood thirsty animals.  There has been too much preparation for the Sockers to let this one slip through their fingers.  Everyone in San Diego is hungry.  San Diego -3.5 o/u 17.5  

Sacramento Surge @ Turlock Express  Turlock was a bad team last year, Sacramento was worse.  Turlock added Tovar to the lineup this year, and now they are considerably better.  Turlock almost stole the win last week in Vegas, and I think the Express will win their home opener, but the smaller field and goals will keep this game under 15 total points.  Turlock -4.5 o/u 12.5

Harrisburg Heat @ Detroit Waza Flo  The Harrisburg Heat beat the Waza Flo last year in Detroit's home opener in a close game, and also two out of the three times they played each other during the regular season.  Detroit is never a team to sleep on and has made some additions in the off season to give them a leg up in a difficult division with three strong teams from the former MISL.  Detroit has a very difficult schedule this season and has very little room for losses, especially if they want to make it into the Postseason for the 4th year in a row.  Richard Chinapoo is no longer the Harrisburg coach, so I am interested in seeing how the team is this year under the direction of Tarik Walker.  Waza Flo won't lose two home openers in a row to the Heat.  Detroit -2.5 o/u 14.5

Lavishly's Lines for MASL week #1

Missouri Comets @ Dallas Sidekicks  The Comets are one of the two reigning camps in this 2014-2015 MASL season, but this is a new season, and the first regular season game at that.  There are cobwebs to shake off, fat to burn, and new league with new rules that everyone needs to get used to.  My guess is a semi-sloppy game to begin, with less than crisp passing and touches, and a few soft goals.  Dallas has the home field advantage, but I think that the Comets will be better prepared for this game, especially since Danny Waltman has a few games under his belt with the national team.  Missouri -1.5 over/under 14 

Turlock Express @ Las Vegas Legends  The Legends lost a few players in the off-season, but their biggest loss was Enrique Tovar.  Tovar was the guy on the Legends last year who was the obvious leader, the guy who was telling players where to be on the field, and making big plays at the same time. Piffer and Sesay were also big losses for the team, but in my opinion it was Tovar that made that clock tick.  Now that Tovar is a player/coach for Turlock, the Express are now a considerably better team.  Tovar is an assist machine and his experience and on-the-field leadership is exactly what the young Turlock Express needs.  Vegas is at home and this is the first regular season game for both sides, so I will give the Legends the benefit of the doubt in this one.  Las Vegas -1 over/under 18  

Brownsville Barracudas @ Monterrey Flash  So what I can tell from a little research on the interwebs is that Brownsville is a good local team that has had some success in local leagues, and is now making a push into the pros.  It sounds a little like Bay Area Rosal from last year.  Unfortunately for the Barracudas, they are in a tough division with the likes of Dallas, Monterrey, Hidalgo, and Saltillo.  If Brownsville wins more than 4 games this season I would be really surprised.  Monterrey is one of the best teams in the league, and should have no problem dispatching the Barracudas at home.  Monterrey -9.5 over/under 17 

I Don't Know

        I don't know.  I don't know about this league. I don't know what exactly happened in the off-season.  I don't know anything about the new teams in the league. I don't know who will win the Ron Newman Cup.  I don't know what Multiple Point Scoring looks like.  I don't know if I like all of the new rules.  I don't know if growing from 12 to 23 teams in 4 seasons is a good thing.  I don't know if a divided league can survive the test of time.

        I know I love the Sockers.  I know that I am excited for the new season to begin.  I know I love going to games with my family.  I know I enjoy watching other teams in the league.  I know I enjoyed following the games last season and handicapping the games for fun.  I know I appreciate my fans and people who follow my posts.  Thank you.  I know I don't have as much time this season as I did last season to do this blog, so please bear with me as I try my best to keep this thing going.  I am probably going to do things a little different this year, but nonetheless I will be trying to pick the winners and doing some rankings and throw my two cents in here or there.  Thanks for reading and here's to a great season of indoor soccer.  Cheers!

Humble Pie

        Congratulations to the Chicago Mustangs on an undefeated season and a Ron Newman Cup Championship.  I was most certainly wrong to doubt the quality of Chicago and the Eastern division.  They are a great team that play great indoor soccer.  It was a great weekend of soccer in Chicago and a lot of fun to watch.  Also, congratulations to the Cleveland Freeze, what a great first season in the PASL.  

Ron Newman Cup Final Line

This will be short, I am out the door to go do some golfing.  Chicago looks faster and better than the other teams, so I will pick the Mustangs to win.  Chicago -1 o/u 12

Final Four Lines

Las Vegas Legends vs Hidalgo La Fiera  Las Vegas has speed, veteran leadership in Enrique Tovar, who is having one of his best seasons ever playing indoor soccer, a crafty passer and shooter like Ivan Campos, and a skilled attacker in Ricardo Sobreira.  They are coming off of a huge win at home against division rival San Diego and are rolling with momentum coming into their game against La Fiera.  Hidalgo on the other hand has a great team assembled and are no strangers to the PASL postseason.  Chile Farias is having a career year with the Hidalgo team and with the help of key players like De Souza, Ughy, and keeper Juan Gamboa, have led La Fiera to a 14-2 regular season.  If Vegas can come out of the gate with their signature pushy, shovey, and floppy style of play than they could draw Hidalgo, who is the most penalized team of the 4 left, into foul trouble early.  Vegas had the best Power Play in the regular season and could make Hidalgo, a team known to have trouble controlling their emotions, pay by playing short handed more than they want to.  I expect a chippy game from both side, but I really hope to see Sesay rolling around on the floor while the Las Vegas trainer splashes water in his face, something that still makes me laugh when I think about it, and then Sanchez can head butt a guy while some guy on the Las Vegas bench flips off a few kids in the crowd.  So far in the post season the teams that I have favored, like SD, Monterrey, and Detroit, have lost.  That being said.  Las Vegas -1.5 o/u 14

Cleveland Freeze @ Chicago Mustangs  Mustangs 13 - Freeze 4 and Mustangs 20 - Freeze 11.  Maybe the third times a charm for the Cleveland Freeze who just won a huge game in Detroit against the Waza Flo.  Maybe their will be a little luck, a few good bounces, and some unbelievable play from Cleveland's best players to carry them to victory.  I would love to see the Freeze pull off another huge upset win on the road against the Mustangs, but it will take a lot from Hector and his crew. If Mike Mason can get hot and have an unreal game, fending off moments of furious attacks like he did against Detroit, then it will be the Freeze who will be spoiling the show in Chicago.  I will hold my tongue about the Mustangs until after the game so that I don't jinx anything.  Chicago -3.5 o/u 16

Congratulations!

        Lavishly Handicapping would like to say congratulations to the Cleveland Freeze, Chicago Mustangs, Las Vegas Legends, and Hidalgo La Fiera for making it to the Ron Newman Cup Final Four.  I was way off, way off on my picks.

Lavishly's Line's Playoff Week #3

Cleveland Freeze @ Detroit Waza Flo  Detroit has been my dark horse pick to win the whole thing since before the playoffs started, but even more so since claiming home field advantage.  Now that the team that has beat them 2 seasons in a row in the playoffs is out, the door is wide open for them to go on to the finals and win their first ever Ron Newman Cup Championship.  Cleveland, on the other hand, will not go down without a good fight, and despite being a new team in the league, have some players with some experience like, Allen Eller, who can lead the team to victory with his experience and his ability to draw the extra coverage, open up other players, and deal out the assist.  Grossman, Ostergren, and Gillespie are keys to the Freeze's success, and if they can all have good games, they will certainly be a tough team to overcome.  Detroit is no spring chicken.  They have the talent, the drive, the heart, and the time together in the trenches that make them one hell of a team to try and knock out of the tournament.  They have proven time and time again in the playoffs that they can hang with the best of them, and that they can climb out of deficits at any point in the game.  I am thankful that Detroit is one of the few class organizations that provides their games free to view on the internet and will most definitely be tuning in to watch this one.  Cleveland will put up a good fight and keep it close, but I think, and hope, that this is Detroit's year to claim the top spot in the league. Detroit -1.5 o/u 17   

Reflections On A Weekend That I Am Glad Is Over

"So why are they playing on that little field?"

"I don't know dude, the Orleans isn't available, some people say that other venues are available, but Vegas has the best chance playing on their practice field." I said.

"Why do they have such queer hair cuts?" he asked.

"I don't know dude.  Camaraderie?  Fellowship?  My soccer team all dyed our hair blonde when I was a kid like 15 years ago, I guess it is still the hip thing to do in Vegas.  That's cool, right?"

"Now what's the problem?"

"I don't know dude," I said "the field is a piece of crap and the center dot need to be fixed, but I guess they had to wait until kickoff to do it."

        I was drunk.  Not the type of drunk you get at weddings, graduation party's, or any other type of joyous occasion, but the type of wild and edgy drunk you get after moving from Escondido to Oceanside in the pouring rain, the only rain we have gotten all year I might add.  The type of drunk you get after dealing with the incompetency of my moving company, Bartle Brothers Moving, INC., who left 1/3 of my crap at my old place, requiring me to drive from Oceanside to Escondido and back around 8 times in one day, in the pouring rain.  Loading and unloading, up and down stairs, driving back and forth, the rain, and my hypochondriac best friend who always thinks my son has the Ebola virus, guess what bro, he still isn't sick, all added up to me watching the game on my laptop in my best friend's garage while we continued to drink beer with shots of liquor.

        I was exhausted, frustrated, edgy, drunk, and hardened with a jaded sense of "what's next to go wrong and blow up in my face,"  and the game hadn't even started yet.  We had the volume up on the broadcast, but we also were listening to some of the classic underground hip hop of our youth in the background.  The first half of the game was a fun game to watch, but after the halftime break and our shenanigans, the second half of the game is harder to recall.  I remember we were dying laughing when Craig Elsten took a verbal shit on everything that was going on, and we were laughing even harder when we thought about how uncomfortable Craig's Las Vegas Legend co-announcer must have been.  I remember texting Brian Zellers and telling him how Detroit Waza is our only horse left in this race, WAZA WAZA WAZA.  I remember not being sad or shocked that the Sockers lost in Vegas because it just followed the narrative of my terrible weekend.  I even recorded the conversation that we had after the game on my phone so that I would have transcript of the raw emotion that I was feeling after the game.  On the recording we talked about a good name for a bar, how awesome the new Deltron album was, how the Sockers losing was somehow my brother in laws fault, how I had jinxed the Sockers by changing my lines, how I had the correct lines at first until Craig Elsten got into my head, leading me to change the lines, we even toasted a shot to the 48 game winning streak.  We talked about Susi, and how he will replace Ray Talia as the assistant coach, especially after Ray's yellow card in the game.  We talked about how the Sockers season began with the birth of my daughter, and ended with this crappy move to Oceanside.  At the end of it we talked about how weak the PASL would have looked if the Sockers would have went on to win a 5th straight championship, but on the other hand how weak the league looked allowing a playoff game to take place in a crappy practice facility that isn't even fit for league play.

        The Flash lost.  I had picked SD and Monterrey to go to the final four and now they are out, and Las Vegas and Hidalgo are in.  The Hidalgo vs Monterrey turned out to be the game of the night, I just wish I could have been one of the 1,300 people to see that game.   It seems that my Postseason Power Rankings had some accuracy to it, and some of you thought that having SD as the #5 spot was too low, I am looking at you Craig Elsten.  Dallas is out, along with SD and Monterrey, but my #1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 teams are still in it.  Cleveland can still pull off a miracle, but it will not be an easy road for the Freeze.  The last games will, I hope, be fun to watch as the last 5 teams in the PASL.  If the PASL is lucky they can double up the rest of the US OPEN CUP games on the RON NEWMAN CUP FINAL GAMES (cough bushleague cough cheap cough pathetic) but the WAZA will spoil that.
    
        I think that the worst part of the whole Sockers loss is that everyone knows that I follow and blog about the Sockers and the PASL, so when anyone saw me they would ask, "How are the Sockers doing?"  I would respond by telling them that they lost to Las Vegas.  They would ask how, and I would say "well some major injuries, and the Legends normal venue, the Orleans Arena, was booked, so they had to host a playoff game in their practice facility, which isn't even legal for league play." and everyone has the same response.

"That's Bullshit!"

Revised Lines for Playoff Week #2

        Hey! Hey! Go easy on me, I am moving my still nursing new born, my three year old son who, bless his heart, is the most in the way, pain in the ass, and persistent little helper who has to help do everything, and my exhausted wife this weekend.  Not only are we moving, but is during the first and heaviest rain of the year in Southern California.  Can you believe that! it has been sunny and 80 degrees all of January and February, but now it is time for us to move, and it rains. 
      
        Yes Yes, Craig Elsten, you have taken me to the bank this year, but maybe, just maybe, it is all a part of an elaborate plan to lure you into a false sense of security and confidence before I hustle the pants off of you in one of the greatest gambling cons ever in PASL history.  Or, maybe I am just terrible at handicapping the PASL, which by the way is incredibly hard considering all of the variables one has to consider, like the fact that a lot of teams never travel with a full roster, no one field is the same, some teams play out side, while others in sports parks, and I have came to the conclusion that not all refs are calling the games using the same rulebook.  If I was a gambling man, which I obviously am, I would bet on the latter excuse though.

        I am going to revise my lines again, and maybe I will revise them before this weekend.  Here we go.

Cincinnati Saints @ Cleveland Freeze  Cleveland -4.5 o/u 21

Monterrey Flash @ Hidalgo La Fiera  Hidalgo -1.5 o/u 12.5

San Diego Sockers @ Las Vegas Legends  San Diego -1.5 o/u 15

       If I am lucky maybe a degenerate Las Vegas gambler will take me up on my SD Line, if that is the case, Elsten can act as my Proxy bookie and handle the money.