Firebird Soccer contributor and Rising as One Podcast host Dominic Kearns wrote this up for the r/USLPro subreddit, and we thought you’d enjoy seeing it here as well!
So I did a quick search & Vegas hasn’t gotten into posting USL over-under point totals yet. Damn.
Have no fear! I am here, speaking the gospel to all you fine degenerates. With limited knowledge on non PRFC teams, I present to you this years Western Conference over/under point totals!!!
Austin Bold- 45 points Under– They’ve signed Ausin Tyrpak & basically a United Nations roster around him. Lots of potential, but I think they’ll wilt a la 2018 Fresno with low attendance in the dog days of summer. I see them ending in the 40-43 range.
COL Springs- 42 points Over– In the last 2 years, they’ve barely missed the playoffs twice. I expect a similar output here, going just above my projection.
El Paso- 45.5 points Over I like what’s happening in El Paso. They’re committed to the community long-term and going for wins right away. There’s 2017 Reno potential here, but I’ll be safe & say they are in the 50 point ballpark.
Fresno- 42.5 points Over– Last year, Fresno had a +6 GD but finished in 12th w/ only 39 points. That is absurd, & they will be better this year. I like them to make the playoffs.
Las Vegas Lights- 39 points OVER Chelis was the USL equivalent of Rex Ryan. Eric Wynalda might be our Sean McVay. Everyone saw the 5-1 win over Toronto, & this team is gonna be Top-6 in the West imo. I LOVE THIS OVER🔥🔥🔥
Los Angeles Galaxy II- 38 points Under Efraim Alvarez will likely be called up to the senior squad, & this team has no home field edge. They should drop to League One after this season
New Mexico Utd- 47.5 points Over This team has signed a LOT of quality USL talent. I see them just about El Paso in the 5-7 seed range. Top-4 potential here.
OKC Energy- 45.5 pts Over This team played at a mid-50s point pace from June-September in 2018. Jose Barril is gone, but they’ll return to the playoffs.
Orange County SC- 66 pts Under Losing Thomas Enevoldsen sucks. They’ll still be very good. But not as good as most neutrals think.
Phoenix Rising FC- 63 pts Over There’s optimism that new signings like Adam Jahn, AJ Cochran, Calistri & Flemmings will make up for losses of Drogba, Cortez, & Frater. I like Phoenix to exceed expectations & top the West in points with 69.
Portland Timbers II- 54.5 Under I hate that this team plays in Providence Park. But they were a great story in 2018. Slightly worse record but another playoff appearance I think.
Real Monarchs- 51.5 pts UNDER The toughest team to predict. Hoffman, Velasquez & several others are gone. I put their number this high b/c casual bettors tend to underrate team regressions. I can see them anywhere from 35-55 points, so give me the Under.
Reno- 53.5 pts Over Reno is the Rodney Dangerfield of USL. They don’t get no respect. So I’m not gonna underrate them in 2019. That hasn’t worked well in the past shudders in SAC/Monarchs
RGV- 37.5 pts Under This team always plays people tough & will likely get a couple shock results. But it’s a classic “bad 2 team”
Sacramento Republic- 59.5 pts UNDER SAC Republic scored just 47 goals last year. Vegas & LA II scored more. A team that’s prime for regression.
San Antonio- 55 pts Over In 2017, SA overachieved for its best season ever. Last year, it underachieved to 50 points, the highest total in USL history for a non-playoff team #GameRaised. 2019 should be in the middle.
Tacoma Defiance (The team formerly-known-as-S2)- 26.5 pts Over Cool rebrand, decent stadium, but still a lineup of nobodies. They should hit the 30 point mark this year, but not much more.
Tulsa- 29.5 pts OVER Tulsa is probably not a 2019 playoff team. They’re also gonna be notably better than last year. I expect something in the 35-40 point range.
