MLS Picks and Predictions for August 1, 2026

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Sat Aug 01, 2026, 11:25 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Evander has been a machine this year, notching 10 goals and eight assists in 15 starts - MLS Picks

MLS

Can you smell it? The calendar has turned to August, and later this month, College Football will be back in rotation. We're also about six weeks away from the NFL Season beginning, however, we're focused on the other football today. However, this league does refer to it as soccer, as the MLS has a full 14 matches for us today. We've gone on a bit of a skid betting this league, so let's try and turn things around with a couple of our favorite MLS picks.

  • MLS YTD
  • 25-23-1 (52.1%)
  • +3.36u
  • Average Odds: +116

Check out our favorite MLS Player Props for tonight as well!

Head over to our MLS Picks Page for our expert's soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.

Major League Soccer: Saturday's Predictions August 1

Pavel Bucha is second in the MLS with seven assists on the year, adding four goals for FC Cincinnati as well - MLS Picks

Pavel Bucha is second in the MLS with seven assists on the year, adding four goals for FC Cincinnati as well

FC Cincinnati vs. San Jose Earthquakes MLS Picks

Best Bet: FC Cincy/San Jose 1H Over 1.5 (-112) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Give me goals early and often. I don't hate the over 3.5 in this match, but I'm not willing to pay the -135 juice. Instead, I'll bet on two in the first 45 minutes. San Jose's defense has been iffy in recent matches. In two contests since the World Cup break, they've allowed three total first half goals. Even though they've been shutout and only scored once offensively, they put up 3.22 expected goals in their last match. All they need to do is finish, and it's going to be easier to do so tonight.

FC Cincinnati is full of overs, mainly because they are scoring and conceding over 2.40 goals per match. In recent games, they had five total first half goals against Vancouver, and all three goals against Columbus came in the first 45 in their last match. However, they will be without Gerardo Valenzuela, who helps them defensively in the midfield. This could open things up.

I'm taking this over, but I also endorse both teams to score in the first half for +180 if you have the stones. Ultimately I think we see at least a 1-1 draw, if not a 2-1 lead either way after 45 minutes. There should be plenty of offense for the full 90 minutes. If this misses, I will likely look at doubling down on a live over depending on the flow of the match.

Prediction: 1H 1-1 Draw (+525)

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Colorado Rapids vs. Austin FC MLS Picks

Darren Yapi scored twice in front of his home crowd this year. Can he add another to the tally tonight? MLS Picks

Darren Yapi scored twice in front of his home crowd this year. Can he add another to the tally tonight?

Best Bet: Colorado Rapids ML (-127) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

This one is very simple. The home and away splits for these two teams are enough for me to back the hosts tonight. Let's talk about it.

Austin FC is absolutely terrible on the road. TERRIBLE. So far this season, they do not have a road win, posting a record of 0-3-6 in nine away matches this year. Plus they've been shutout in three straight away matches in the MLS. Not only that, but they've been allowing plenty of goals, being outscored 11-0 in those L3 away from home. On the road this year, Austin is netting 1.11 goals per match, while allowing 3.11. Yikes.

On the other side of things, the Colorado Rapids are MUCH more comfortable playing in Denver. While they are only 4-0-3, those three losses came to Inter Miami (No. 2 in East) and FC Dallas and St. Louis City, who are sixth and seventh on the Western Conference standings. Overall, they are scoring 2.30 goals at home, compared to just 1.0 on the road in 17 MLS matches this year.

They will be without CB Rob Holding who picked up a red card in their last match, but I'm not too worried about it. I am comfortable laying this juice, as I snagged -136 last night, but you can get the above price right now for much better odds.

Prediction: Colorado Rapids Win 3-1 (+1100)

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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