Week 34 MLS Picks
The current win streak is now up to four weeks and with some significant gains made last weekend, we’ve crested the 80 unit mark for the first time.
Before we get to the picks as normal, another reminder that we’ve got an addition to this weekly article in 2025. If you’ve been following along with the podcast during the offseason, you’ll know we’ve partnered with Underdog Fantasy. If you want to play along with us at Underdog, you can sign up today using this link and when you use promo code "NORTHEND" at sign up you'll get up to $1000 in bonus cash plus a free pick!
The official league injury report for Saturday’s games came out Friday afternoon, let’s dive into the Week 34 picks.
Underdog Fantasy Entry of the week
Each match week, we’ll have an Underdog Fantasy entry for you to tail if your heart desires. Let’s get to the board and build a winner!
We’ll begin the Week 34 entry with a new face for CF Montreal. Signed in the summer window, Ivan Jaime has come out swinging (or rather, shooting) to the tune of 5.16 shot attempts per 90. Now, this is a very small sample size of only 192 minutes, but in Jaime’s three appearances of 29, 73 and 90 minutes he’s taken three, four and four shots. With Giacomo Vrioni still sidelined, Jaime is the lead dog in the Montreal attack. Add in the fact that their opponent on Saturday, Charlotte FC, allows the third most shot attempts per game in MLS this season and then consider the 1.16x multiplier on this prop. Easy decision to roll with the former Valencia forward.
Then we’ll head to St. Louis where City is hosting the red hot LAFC. This one is pretty simple. The Black and Gold are scoring 1.97 goals per game this season, while Burki has regressed from his hot start in MLS, conceding 1.73 goals per game this year. LAFC is -180 to score two or more goals at the books, which isn’t surprising given that they’ve scored 18 goals across the seven league games that Heung-Min Son has played. Even at a 0.84x multiplier we feel strongly enough about this one to include it in the entry.
Closing out this week’s entry with a prop that has been great to us this year, both on Underdog and for our favorite team. Osman Bukari is averaging 0.88 shots on target per 90 minutes in 2025 and he’s recorded at least one shot on target in 15 of his last 22 MLS appearances. After he came off the bench last Sunday in the win over Seattle Sounders, we expect Bukari to rejoin the starting group this weekend against Real Salt Lake. He’s unlikely to go the full 90 with the US Open Cup final looming on Wednesday, but he should get 60-plus and that should be enough for him to get in behind the RSL back line for a crack on net. Salt Lake play one of the highest lines in MLS, with the average height of their defensive actions currently sitting at 42.37 meters away from net. For comparison’s sake, Austin FC’s average height of defensive actions is just 38.05 meters.
Using the standard payout selection on Underdog, this 3-pick entry will payout a prize of 6.37x your entry fee if successful.
We’ve added some additional plays that can be substituted in place of the props given above if you miss lock for one of those games or one of those options doesn’t start. The additional plays this week are listed in order of preference and we’re fine using these props in any entry.
Chicho Arango O 3.5 shots attempted (1.07x)
Luis Barraza O 1.5 goals allowed
Jayden Hibbert O 1.5 goals allowed
Evander O 1.5 shots on target (1.03x)
Pedro Gallese O 1.5 goals allowed
Hannes Wolf O 0.5 shots on target (0.99x)
Results
Underdog Fantasy (Last Week): +2.08 U
Underdog Fantasy (Season): +23.18 U
Week 34 Picks
Philadelphia Union
ML -115
We’re going right back to the Supporter’s Shield leaders this weekend. The Union are on the road taking on lowly DC United and still control their own destiny in the Shield race with three games remaining on their regular season schedule. DC on the other hand has long been eliminated and are only playing for pride and to avoid the wooden spoon. Tai Baribo is suspended for this one, but Philly have plenty of firepower left up top with the likes of Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani. The last time DC United beat the Union was August 2021, so while they’d likely be happy with a draw, Philadelphia will not be. Expect the Union to be pushing hard for the full three points here, which we’ll back them to do.
LAFC
ML -110
The team that just may be the best in MLS on the run in to next month’s playoffs, LAFC has been on fire since the summer window saw them bring in Heung-Min Son from Tottenham. The Black and Gold have scored 12 goals over their last three games and Saturday night’s trip to St. Louis isn’t likely to slow down this buzz saw of an offense. City is one of the worst home teams in MLS this year, with just 17 points from their 15 games at Energizer Park. For what it’s worth, STL is on a three game unbeaten streak after losing 12 of 17 league games prior to that stretch. But the opponents over the last three (FC Dallas, CF Montreal and San Jose Earthquakes) don’t hold a candle to the quality of LAFC, who are still very much alive for the top seed in the Western Conference with five games left to play on their regular season schedule. We’ll take them to win at near even money.
Orlando City
ML +175
Sunday Night Soccer gives us a tasty Eastern Conference matchup, a “battle of the lions” with the second seeded Cincy playing host to sixth place Orlando City SC. As we’ve discussed in past weeks, FC Cincinnati is the team over performing their expected goal numbers by the widest margin in MLS and it’s not particularly close, gaining an additional 19 points in the table over expectation. While they’re certainly a more dangerous side with the August addition of Brenner to pair with Kevin Denkey up top in front of MVP candidate Evander, Orlando City is also squarely in the mix for a top four spot in the East. Orlando has also won in Cincy each of the last two seasons, so we’ll take them to pull of the “upset” on the road in primetime.
Goal Scorers
Every week we’ll pick a few of our favorite goal scoring options in the betting market. Here are the Week 34 shouts.
Milan Iloski 160
Ivan Jaime +475
Nicolas Fernandez Mercau +235
Heung-Min Son +135
Eduard Lowen +425
Lawrence Ennali +550
Jonathan Bamba +400
Bongokuhle Hlongwane +475
Osman Bukari +380
Chicho +210
Thomas Muller +320
Marco Pasalic +225
Brenner +220
Results
Last Week: +6 U
Season: +57.63 U
