Thursday, October 30, 2014

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

Thursday, October 23, 2014

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 

Monday, October 20, 2014

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!