VSiN soccer contributor, finder of “The Angle” for college basketball, and Follow The Money producer Luke DiVasta shares his favorite MLS picks for Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12.
Odds as of April 10, 10 a.m. PT
Six matches into the 2026 MLS season, and we have a better picture of how the table is shaping out.
Sporting Kansas City vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday, April 11th, 8:30 p.m. ET
Sporting Kansas City (+240) | Draw (+285) | San Jose Earthquakes (-120)
Over 3.5 Goals (+115) | Under 3.5 Goals (-150)
San Jose (5-0-1) enters this match in peak form, sitting in third place in the Western Conference. They lead the league in expected goals with 16.7 total for the year, although they have scored only 10. The true key to their success has been the defense, which has been absolutely suffocating. Only one goal has slipped past their keeper all season. The Earthquakes are coming off a 3-0 win against a solid San Diego squad (3-1-2). In the match prior, the Quakes defeated Vancouver (5-1-0) on the road. San Jose is 2-0-0 on the road this season, winning each game 1-0.
For all the positives surrounding San Jose, there are just as many negatives on the Sporting KC side. They rank dead last in the MLS in expected goals, with just 3.85 through six games. They sit third-to-last in goal differential, scoring 6 while allowing 14. Sporting KC is 0-1-2 in their three home matches this season.
I think this is a great value play on a San Jose side that knows how to make its defense travel. I also love the three-way moneyline pricing here—a road favorite sitting around -110 to -120. It takes a significant edge for the market to flip a road club that short. Give me San Jose, and I’d lean toward the under 3.5 or even take a look at the under 2.5 for plus money.
Pick: San Jose Earthquakes ML (-120)
Columbus Crew vs. Orlando City
Sunday, April 12th, 7:00 p.m. ET
Columbus Crew (-220) | Draw (+350) | Orlando City (+450)
Over 3.5 Goals (+110) | Under 3.5 Goals (-145)
In my first write-up, I highlighted some poor play from an MLS club to start the year. It’s about to get a lot worse. Orlando City is falling apart at the seams. They hold the worst goal differential in the league through six games at -18. They have faced some strong competition lately but are getting absolutely blasted. LAFC took them to the woodshed in a 6-0 victory. The game before that, Nashville destroyed them 5-0. Orlando is being outscored 16-0 on the road this season through three games. They are quite literally the opposite of San Jose.
Columbus enters this match at 1-2-3 this season, with 8 goals scored and 9 conceded. It hasn’t been the greatest start, but this feels like a fantastic opportunity at home to get things moving. The Crew are 0-1-1 at home to start the year. They haven’t scored a goal yet on their home ground but have allowed only one. They rank in the top 12 in expected goals with 11.2 xG. Columbus tends to play well at home, and with the way Orlando has been leaking goals, I could easily see a 2-0 victory (at minimum) for the Crew.
My play here will be on the spread at plus money. If you’re worried about winning by two goals, Columbus -1 (-135) is the safer option—if Columbus wins, you get your money back. I just think Orlando is a mess right now, and that should continue on the road.
Pick: Columbus Crew -1.5 (+125)
