Expert Picks

Am I a soccer expert? Buckets or Brandt or Jimmy H I am not but this is the only time I care about the sport and I'm gonna watch this so let's put some money down. Don't most soccer games end like 1-0 or 1-1? There is my advice. I'll take my chances.

Both the USMNT and Wales start off the group with their most important match of the competition. This is a match where if either side manages to grab all three points, it's quite possible it will be enough to push them through to the knockout round. This means both teams will be terrified to concede first, and should lead to a cagey, physical, low-scoring battle with both teams honestly happy to settle for a draw here as they work through the nerves of the opening match. I don't see a lot of goals here!

It’s a lot of juice, but this is nearly a lock so if you have any parlays planned, add this one. The USMNT are going to be timid and aiming to avoid any major blunders as they find their footing. Not to mention they don’t have any serious scoring threats. Almost every game of any consequence the Americans play is a slog. I would also lean heavily toward a draw, maybe even 0-0. Wales have scored more than once in just two of their past 10 matches, and Gareth Bale is still capable of brilliance, but he has lost a step (or two).