Gambler’s Guide to Major League Soccer Week 9

After a week off, the beloved, esteemed, universally adored Gambler's Guide to Major League Soccer returns just in time to make some money and find some picks to parlay with Canelo Alvarez when he goes toe to toe with Amir Khan this weekend.

Seriously, parlay any picks you've got with Canelo. The man's on a collision course with Gennady Golovkin.

But you didn't come here for boxing, you came here for some winning bets to make on Major League Soccer — and wouldn't you guess, I've got some good ones for you. Now, for the usual intro.

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For the uninitiated, odds are generally presented in three forms — a "spread," a "moneyline," and a "total."

The spread is the goal difference expected. For example, if the spread for Orlando City is +1.5, you'll want them to win, draw, or lose by one goal to win the wager. Losing by two or more goals would result in losing the wager.

The moneyline is my personal favorite. A moneyline is simple — odds are presented, and you select the outcome you expect — Team A win, Team B win, or Draw. The total is the total number of goals scored this game.

Odds are presented with a number preceded by either a + or a -. When the number is presented after a +, this means that selection is an underdog. The number following the + is the amount of money the odds pay out for every $100 risked. When the number is presented as a -, this means that selection is a favorite. The number following the – is the amount of money you will need to risk for odds to pay out $100.

To improve your odds, you can always play what's called a "parlay." A favorite of mine, with this option you can select winners across multiple games, and watch your payouts soar. The risk, however, is if you miss any one contest on your parlay, you've lost the entire bet.

(Note: These odds were pulled from BetDSI, and may not reflect lines posted by your sportsbook of choice.)

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Easy Money

Our Orlando City Lions (+143) welcome New York Red Bulls (+184) to the Bowl Formerly Known As Citrus tonight as they look to earn three points for the first time since since April 3. Undefeated at home with one win and three draws, Inchy's boys love scoring in front of the home fans, with nine tallies in the four contests.

NYRB comes in to the match having scored just once in four losses on the road, but Sacha Kljestan and company are known to play Orlando tough. You can go for City to win in this one, but I would suggest taking the over (-138) on the total of 2.5 goals scored. The Lions are averaging two on their own, and the teams combined for five in their last match on April 25. The Pick: Over 2.5

Feeling Lucky?

Once again we find ourselves looking at Sporting Kansas City (+240) in this section, as they hit the road for a match with the Houston Dynamo (+115). Houston has managed just one win, a 5-0 thrashing of FC Dallas back in March. They've allowed 16 goals in their other contests.

SKC has managed to win two on the road, only allowing four goals in five games in enemy territory. I can see Dom Dwyer and the Kansas City attack going off in this one. The Pick: Sporting Kansas City.

My Play

I'm taking both the bets above, and Toronto FC (+105) to make a large statement against FC Dallas (+260) when they play in front of their home fans for the first time this season. Dallas has surrendered 13 of their 17 goals on the road, and you now Sebastian Giovinco will be amped up to butcher that back line at home. The Pick: Toronto FC.

2016 Record

Easy Money — 6-9

Feeling Lucky — 2-11

My Play — 10-16