USL Odds, April 3
A three-day weekend!
It was another fun week of US Open Cup action on Tuesday and Wednesday! The draw for the Round of 32 and Round of 16 have already been set with those games occurring throughout the rest of this month. But as we move into April, we refocus on the weekend in a return to league play for USLC and USL1. Between USL, and a return of European soccer, MLS, the NCAA final four, and more this weekend, let’s have a fun 72 hours ahead.
As always, make all wagers at your own discretion, any bet you make should be made at your own risk. Only view these options below as potential choices to bet.
All odds were from Bet365 as of Friday, April 3rd.
Previous Week Recap:
Here are the bets that paid off from last week’s article:
USLC: New Mexico v Colorado Springs BTTS/Over 2.5 goals (2.25), Hartford v Indy Eleven BTTS (1.72), Hartford ML first half (2.50), Tampa Bay ML, Over 1.5 Tampa Bay team goals (1.95), Tulsa win or tie, under 2.5 goals (1.90), San Antonio win or tie, Under 2.5 total goals (2.05)
USL1: Knoxville ML (1.65), Charlotte v Spokane Over 2.5 goals (2.15), Omaha ML, Over 2.5 total goals (2.60), Sarasota to score first (1.95), Greenville ML, BTTS
Parlays: Knoxville, Omaha ML (2.85), Louisville, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh ML (4.03), New Mexico v Colorado Springs and Miami v Rhode Island each BTTS (3.10)
Beyond USL: Stockport, Wycombe ML (2.37), Alabama vs Michigan over 82 first half points (1.86), Celtics, Cavs ML (2.16), Gilgreous-Alexander 25+ points, Leonard 25+ points, Tatum 20+ points (2.35), Belgium ML (2.35), USA v Belgium BTTS/Over 2.5 goals (2.00), Duke, Michigan, Illinois, Arizona ML (2.95), Diamondbacks at Dodgers over 8.5 runs (1.86), Judge (NYY) over 1.5 batter strikeouts (2.40), Whitt Jr (KC), Guerrero Jr (TOR), DeLauter (CLE) each 1+ hit (2.89), Norby (MIA), Altuve (HOU), Merrill (SD) each 1+ hit (2.92), Chevy manufacturer win (2.55), Hendrick team race win (2.65), Chase Elliott top five finish (2.20), Joey Logano top ten finish (1.66), Ty Gibbs to beat Tyler Reddick h2h (2.10), Denny Hamlin top Toyota driver (2.50)
USL Championship
Louisville v Charleston
1.75 - 3.60 - 4.10
This has to be the marquee match of the USLC weekend, or at least certainly should be in the East. Louisville had a much closer contest last week in the league, leaving Coney Island with a 1-0 win over Brooklyn. Louisville then extended their streak of wins against in-state rivals Lexington to five in a row with their USOC advancement during the midweek. Meanwhile Charleston looked lethargic away at Detroit, registering just four shots the entire match—and then followed up that performance with an exit from the USOC against the Charlotte Independence.
This fixture has not been fun away days for the Battery to say the least, as the South Carolina club still has yet to win a road match away at Louisville (the last time they got a draw at Louisville was August 2023, just once in their last five visits here). Louisville have not skipped a beat with the start of the Byrd interim spell as shown by their win over Brooklyn and cup advancement. This series has been BTTS for each of the last six meetings, and over 2.5 goals in each of the last five. Picking another goal fest in this one and let’s push things a bit further on total goals. Louisville however should prevail with the result ultimately.
Bet 1: BTTS/Over 3.5 goals (4.00)
Bet 2: Louisville ML (1.75)
Miami v Hartford
2.37 - 3.50 - 2.60
For the first time since May 2025, Miami has gone three games in a row in the league unbeaten, after the Floridian club outlasted Rhode Island’s onslaught of chances (RI lead 20-9 in shots). Hartford last time out in the league let a halftime lead (where they still have yet to trail at halftime of a match this season) slip away only to be rescued by an 89’ own goal to score a point in a 2-2 draw against Indy Eleven. But the Connecticut club will be disappointed to exit the USOC this past midweek against rivals Rhode Island.
Miami will be looking for their first win over Hartford since September 2023, while Hartford will be looking to set a club record for most games unbeaten to open a season (5). Both of these teams are averaging 2.5 total goals a game or more to start the year, and Hartford has scored first in 75% of their games as well. Miami might very well pull a result out of this one and could be worth a shout on their double chance.
Bet 1: BTTS/Over 2.5 goals (1.95)
Bet 2: Miami win or tie (1.50)
Rhode Island v Detroit
2.15 - 3.10 - 3.40
Should I start to get worried about Rhode Island? That is what I would say with their league form to open the season, but a win over Hartford in the USOC on Wednesday might end up going a long way for Rhode Island. That being said, if they fail to get a result this weekend, RIFC could lose three league games in a row for the first time ever in club history. Slow starts to a season has not been unheard of for RIFC—see last year’s one win in their first seven games—but it is worrying how poor results in the league seem to pile up in streaks for the club. Detroit meanwhile advanced in the USOC against Flint City, and will be looking for their first win away at Rhode Island since June 2024. While the USOC advancement for Rhode Island was a much needed result for the club to counter their slow start to the season, this game in the league needs to see that form from the Cup carry over for me to start feeling less worried about Rhode Island.
All three of Rhode Island’s games this year have been BTTS, but I would be shocked if Detroit score multiple goals in this match. The Michigan club to get a result from this match is something I could see if they can keep Rhode Island at bay.
Bet: Draw (3.10)
Colorado Springs v Lexington
2.10 - 3.50 - 3.40
I mentioned it last week, and maybe it was just their opposition in San Antonio being rather good this year, but Lexington away from home in the league still has some question marks for me—and they face another road match this week. I think Lexington should start to be a bit of a worry wagering wise given their only win to open the season came against a bad Brooklyn team. The Kentucky club will be looking for a bounce back performance against Colorado Springs—who got past Spokane on penalties in the Cup themselves. The home team prevailed with a win in each of these two teams’ meetings last season, each game going BTTS as well. Oddly, the Switchbacks have been tied at halftime in each of their first four games (that’s worth a chance here for a Draw first half bet). But Colorado Springs are the most likely to open the scoring, having scored the opening goal in 75% of their games played this year, but can Lexington score away from home for the first time since September 2025? They need this result for me to not find my panic button on them.
Bet 1: Colorado Springs to score first, BTTS (3.00)
Bet 2: Draw at halftime (2.20)
Loudoun v Birmingham
2.00 - 3.50 - 3.00
A pair of clubs still looking for their first win on the season. Birmingham’s season thus far has been very much start and stop due to the club’s absence in the USOC this year. Birmingham have been averaging 10.33 days between games and it has been two weeks since their last match, the 3-2 collapse into a defeat against Charleston. Loudoun meanwhile has to feel gutted having seen their USOC dreams dashed by conceding a 90+6’ goal against Richmond in the second round to exit the competition. They’ll be hoping not to let the sour ending of that match spill over into their league form, but LUFC has led for just 6’ all season having only once scored the opening goal of a match.
One thing I am looking at for this game is Birmingham’s historical form against Loudoun, six wins in ten meetings, including three of the last five played. My one pause is that their trips to Virginia has of late have been lacking, just one victory and getting outscored 7-3 in that those three matches dating back to 2023. However, Loudoun’s home form to end last season was poor, no victories at home since August 2025. I can see Birmingham starting this game strong—they’ve yet to trail at halftime of a match while Loudoun has not led at halftime of a game—but it is a question of if Birmingham can see out this match. But with these odds, I’m willing to take a chance on the Legion upset.
Bet: Birmingham win or draw first half, Birmingham win or draw match (2.00)
Indy Eleven v Pittsburgh
2.50 - 3.20 - 2.60
In what would have been a massive road victory last week, Indy Eleven will be disappointed to concede late to settle for a draw with Hartford, 2-2. Compounded frustrations by Indy Eleven also included exiting the USOC in a “Cupset” versus Union Omaha. Pittsburgh has had a mixed bag of results for the defending champions—the USOC is business as usual, having advanced to the third round this midweek, but the league is more up and down. It’s been two defeats on the road against top clubs of the conference with Charleston (3-2) and Tampa Bay (getting outplayed 3-0). But high-scoring 3-2 wins over Loudoun and Jacksonville does mean positive results on the board.
The Riverhounds have not won any of their last three visits to Indiana (last win coming in August 2022). Indy Eleven has only lost once in their last six games played against Pittsburgh, being a weird bogey club for the reigning league champs.
Bet: BTTS - Yes (1.83)
Jacksonville v Tampa Bay
3.80 - 3.80 - 1.75
I said it last week after they made it three wins in a row, but Tampa Bay are back. The Rowdies will be looking to make it four consecutive wins in the league for the first time since September 2023 (and depending on the result of the Louisville-Charleston match, go atop the Eastern Conference if it breaks their way). Jacksonville meanwhile are still searching for their first win as a club, but have showed some fight in these past three games to avoid being shutout (against Miami and Pittsburgh scoring over 1.5 goals in each). This could be a fun one for the neutrals, especially as both of these clubs had the week to prepare for this one. I just cannot see Tampa Bay passing up the opportunity to make it four wins from four, and continuing to equal their best start to a league season since 2021.
Rowdies should win this one and let’s see some goals as well.
Bet: Tampa Bay ML, Tampa Bay over 1.5 team goals (2.10)
El Paso v Las Vegas
1.75 - 3.60 - 4.20
El Paso has not started a season with no losses in their first four league games played since 2022, and after a dominant 4-0 USOC win away at rivals New Mexico (their largest ever margin of victory over New Mexico), the team certainly has to be happy with how the season has started. Las Vegas was finally able to pick up their first win of the season last week as a Johnny Rodriguez second half penalty was enough to see the side past Monterey Bay. Weirdly in the history of this series’ eleven previous games played, there has yet to be a draw (El Paso leading all-time 7-4). The Lights have won just two of their six all time visits to El Paso but a 6-0 defeat last time facing Locomotive will be a result they will want to put out of mind for this game. All that being considered, I think El Paso continues their excellent start to the season (and El Paso has yet to be trailing at half of a match this year, while Las Vegas has yet to be leading a match at half this season too).
Bet 1: El Paso-El Paso HT/FT Result (2.62)
Bet 2: El Paso to score in both halves (2.62)
Monterey Bay v San Antonio
3.20 - 2.70 - 2.37
Maybe my optimism in Monterey Bay last week was misplaced, as the California club would go on to lose 1-0 against Las Vegas (a missed PK from Sebastian Lletget early set the tone as it turned out). San Antonio continued their conference leading start to the year with a 2-0 win over Lexington last week, but a disappointing exit in the USOC against Tulsa spoiled what could have been an excellent couple days for SAFC. Historically, this is a series dominated by the Texan club, who have eight wins in twelve all-time meetings (and SAFC has not lost MBFC since June 2019, or when Toy Story 4 (2019) was in theaters) and San Antonio has kept a clean sheet over Monterey Bay in six of those previous twelve meetings. Picking San Antonio to continue their form with a win at these odds, could go a step further in have them win in a shutout (3.75 odds).
Bet 1: San Antonio ML (2.37)
Bet 2: Monterey Bay u0.5 team goals (2.62)
Orange County v New Mexico
2.20 - 3.25 - 3.00
Alright New Mexico, that win last week in the league meant I could put away my panic button for you temporarily (Ousman Jabang’s winning goal at 90+6’ had to be cathartic for the team). But, never one to make things easy, a 4-0 defeat to El Paso in the USOC midweek New Mexico has caused me to find my panic button once more.
Orange County is quietly starting the year unbeaten through four games, with all four games going under 2.5 goals (they are the lowest average total goals per game team in the West alongside San Antonio thus far). OC has also scored the opening goal in three of their four games played while New Mexico has yet to score first in a game this season.
However, New Mexico has not lost to Orange County in each of their five previous meetings, with New Mexico grabbing a clean sheet in three of those games. Given these odds, this might be the toughest game to call this week in the USLC. Going for the hosts to get a result in this one, Orange County’s home record last season was the second best in the Western Conference.
Bet: Orange County win or tie, Under 3.5 total goals (1.72)
Sacramento v Phoenix
1.72 - 3.60 - 4.33
Phoenix are one of just two teams in the West without a win to start the year, as the Arizona club has not had an ideal beginning to a season. After USOC advancements for both clubs this week, Rising visit a ground where they have not won since November 2023. Sacramento’s beginning to the season has found the side wanting much more out of their league campaign. Sacramento have now gone three league matches in a row without a win for the first time since June 2025 (April 2025 was the last time Republic went four games in a row without a win in the league).
This series has been perfectly even in its 29 previous iterations, nine wins each and eleven draws. In their last six meetings, Phoenix has yet to keep a clean sheet while Sacramento has shutout Rising twice. If Sacramento gets a result out of this game, it will be through keeping it low-scoring (weirdly, Sacramento has yet to score a first half goal this season, could be worth a punt on a low-scoring first half since Phoenix has just one goal in their first halves played).
Bet 1: Sacramento win or tie, under 2.5 total goals (3.75)
Bet 2: 0-0 first half scoreline (2.62)
USL1
NY Cosmos v Charlotte
3.00 - 3.60 - 2.00
Well done Cosmos on getting your first win of the season last week, in a total “get FM’ed” performance over Fort Wayne—2-0 scoreline on just 28% possession and getting out-shot 20-6, Sean Dyche would be proud. But that offensive production will not be sustainable for a result against a high-flying Charlotte Independence team. Charlotte seems to be a team catching good form at the right time as they had a shocking victorious 4-0 demolition of Spokane last week, the club’s highest margin of victory since August 2024, and then advanced the USOC against Charleston. If these recent results for the Independence are any indication, this should be another victory for the North Carolina side this weekend (especially with these odds, they’re worth a wager). But the Cosmos have not yet been shutout in a match this season.
Bet: Charlotte ML, Over 2.5 goals (3.00)
Naples v Greenville
2.30 - 2.87 - 3.00
Naples advancing in the Cup midweek was certainly an improvement for the club, who got shutout 1-0 against Madison last time out in the league. On their opponents, Greenville has turned their USOC first round exit into motivation, as their next two matches in the league have been high-scoring 3-2 and 4-2 wins over the Cosmos and Westchester respectively. Opponent strength of those two teams should be considered, but from a pure confidence standpoint, the Triumph have to be feeling good about how they have been playing to start the year. But it’s a weird month ahead for Greenville with only two games played across all competitions.
In their three meetings last season, the home side failed to lose the fixture, but each game was BTTS with two of them going over 2.5 goals. If Naples can control this match, find the opening goal (which they have done so in 75% of their games played), I think it stays low-scoring. But if Greenville can grab an early foothold (as they have yet to trail at halftime of a league game this season), this might get pulled into a shootout.
Bet: Naples win or tie, Naples to score first (2.05)
Westchester v Corpus Christi
2.37 - 3.60 - 2.40
This might be the silliest match of the weekend for USL1. Westchester managed to outlast USL2’s darlings Vermont Green in the USOC, winning on penalties on Wednesday (a match where Westchester might count themselves fortunate to not exit the Cup against a good Vermont team). Meanwhile, Corpus Christi are on their fourth away match (of six in total) to open the campaign. While CCFC nearly had a solid pair of games last week—escaping Knoxville with a draw and almost grabbing a point from Omaha only to lose late—the travel most certainly is playing a role on Eamon Zayed’s squad. If Westchester are to get a rare home win, this might be their best chance to do so. But we might also be setting up a classic Westchester “score first, drop points result” as Corpus Christi has not scored the opening goal of a match this season, nor have they led for any amount of time this year too.
It would be such a Westchester outcome to not win this game in familiar fashion as they dropped so many points last season. Surely, we have to test the Westchester traditional wager one last time right?
Bet: Westchester to score first, Corpus Christi win or draw (5.00)
Sarasota v Knoxville
2.30 - 3.20 - 2.70
Sarasota still seems like another team I have been trying to figure out, and their three opening matches in club history has done little to help separate things for me. In what will be their fourth home match in a row, they welcome the reigning league champions, Knoxville, the latter of which who has not allowed a goal in nearly four hours of league play—and advanced past Asheville City in the USOC. The stellar defense of last season for Knoxville is starting to show once more with those results, but with just one goal scored by Knoxville in that time, they will be hoping for more attacking output this weekend.
If there is a goal, I think it will be Knoxville finding the opener, but this game could very well be setting up a 0-0 scoreline (7.00 odds), or at minimum, a low-scoring draw. A draw might be the ultimate outcome, but if you want to play it more safe, go for under 2.5 goals.
Bet: Knoxville win or tie, Under 2.5 goals (2.10)
Boise v Spokane
2.37 - 3.50 - 2.45
My match to watch for USL1 this weekend. Spokane has had a week to forget where they looked out of sorts against Charlotte last week in the league (a 4-0 loss, their heaviest defeat since October 2024), and exiting the USOC against Colorado Springs, albeit this one not as awful having taken the USLC club all the way to penalties. But they do not want to make it a hat trick of errors as they visit their new, northwest neighbors in AC Boise for the latter’s home opener. Having gone two weeks since their last match, a 3-2 loss to Omaha, Boise has been preparing for this game for a while and Nate Miller will want to put on a show for the home crowd in the opener. I think we can expect a better showing from Spokane than from the week they’ve had, but there is something about this Boise team, about their home opener, that I think I have to back the hosts in this one. This atmosphere should truly be something special Saturday night that I think it propels Boise to the win.
Bet 1: Boise ML (2.37)
Bet 2: Boise to score first (1.90)
AV Alta v Omaha
3.00 - 3.50 - 2.00
This AV Alta team is a complete enigma to watch, which makes them frustrating to wager on. Three draws to open the season, and their latest being a 2-2 match with Chattanooga where they had 75% of the ball, but still managed to get out-shot. Omaha are a better team, and will be looking to make three consecutive wins in the league for the first time since October 2025 (after also another typical Omaha “Cupset” in the USOC this midweek too). While the home team won both meetings of this matchup last year, I just cannot bring myself to see AV Alta getting a result out of this game given how well Omaha has started the season. The hosts may frustrate, but Union Omaha should get all three points.
Bet: Omaha ML (2.00)
Parlays
ML Parlay:
Charlotte, Omaha ML (4.00)
Louisville, Tampa Bay, El Paso ML (5.35)
San Antonio, Boise ML (5.64)
BTTS/Goals Parlay:
Louisville v Charleston, Miami v Hartford, Loudoun v Birmingham each BTTS - Yes (4.98)
Sacramento v Phoenix and Sarasota v Knoxville each under 2.5 goals (2.60)
Westchester v Corpus Christi and NY Cosmos v Charlotte each over 2.5 goals (3.02)
Louisville v Charleston and Jacksonville v Tampa Bay each over 2.5 goals (3.33)
Underdog Parlay:
Corpus Christi win or draw, Knoxville win or draw, Birmingham win or draw (3.88)
Rhode Island v Detroit draw, Naples v Greenville draw (8.91)
Kaylor Hodges ™ No-Draws in USLC Parlay: 15.16
Kaylor Hodges ™ No-Draws in USL1 Parlay: 3.82
Non-USL Related Bets:
Other Soccer:
MLS:
LAFC, Real Salt Lake, Vancouver ML parlay (2.58)
Charlotte ML (2.10)
Philadelphia under 0.5 team goals (3.00)
Chicago v Nashville BTTS - Yes/Over 2.5 goals (2.00)
Atlanta v Columbus, Toronto v Colorado each BTTS - Yes (2.53)
NYCFC ML (1.70)
San Diego and Seattle each win or draw (2.42)
MLS ATGS/player props options:
Hugo Cuypers (CHI) 2.25 | Nicolas Fernandez Mercau (NYC) 2.30 | Idan Gorno Toklomati (CLT) 2.50 | Brian White (VAN) 1.72 | Anders Dreyer (SD) or Timo Werner (SJ) to assist (2.05)
England/Scotland League:
Rangers, Hearts, Celtic ML (2.60)
Motherwell v Falkirk BTTS - Yes (1.80)
St Johnstone ML (1.70)
Partick Thistle ML (2.10)
Stenhousemuir v Hamilton BTTS - Yes (1.83)
Clyde ML, Spartans ML, East Kilbride win or tie (2.78)
England FA Cup
Manchester City v Liverpool and West Ham v Leeds each BTTS - Yes (2.47)
Arsenal win to nil (2.20)
Port Vale o0.5 team goals (2.20)
Manchester City and West Ham to advance (2.52)
Other Soccer:
Lille v Lens BTTS/over 2.5 goals (2.10)
Lorient v Paris FC BTTS - Yes (1.90)
Real Madrid ML, Atletico Madrid v Barcelona BTTS - Yes (2.20)
Lamine Yamal (BAR), Julian Alvarez (ATM) each over 0.5 shots on target
Inter Milan v Roma BTTS/over 2.5 goals (2.37)
Fiorentina ML (1.90)
Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig ML (2.71)
Hoffenheim v Mainz, Stuttgart v Dortmund each BTTS - Yes (2.20)
Vancouver v HFX Wanderers BTTS/over 2.5 goals (2.05)
Forge FC ML (2.10)
Other Sports:
NCAA Men’s Final Four:
Michigan, UConn ML parlay (3.85)
Michigan v Arizona over 157.5 points (1.90)
UConn ML first half (2.05)
NBA:
Pelicans, Magic ML parlay (2.02)
Threes made parlay: Kon Knueppel (CLT) 3+, Mikal Bridges (NYK) 2+, Jayson Tatum 2+ (2.80)
NHL:
Saturday games only
Canes, Penguins ML parlay (2.09)
Red Wings ML (1.76)
Avalanche at Stars over 5.5 total goals (1.74)
Blue Jackets ML (1.71)
Kings, Sharks ML parlay (2.85)
MLB:
Friday games only
Brewers at Royals over 9 total runs (1.86)
Braves ML (1.86)
Julio Rodriguez (SEA) and Jo Adell (LAA) 1+ hit each (2.30)
Juan Soto (NYM) 1+ HR (5.25)
Cal Raleigh (SEA) over 1.5 batter strikeouts (1.80)
Final Thoughts
I now need to have Lego mini sets of all USL stadiums after seeing Mike Pendleton’s recent Bluesky post of an example render set of the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Al Lang Stadium.
The Paradise season two finale was quite good, capping off a decent season of the show. With season three set to be the show’s last, I am quite excited to see where the storyline concludes this time next year. In recent movie viewings for myself, go watch Lost in Starlight (2025) on Netflix. It’s a South Korean animation film with stellar visuals and amazing music in it. One of the underappreciated animated films from last year.
Follow me on Bluesky @ilm-ryan.bsky.social and follow the USL Show, @theUSLshow.bsky.social.