MLS Returns With a Loaded Saturday Slate: 3 Player Props to Target Tonight! (8/15)
Written by: BettingThePitch
Published: Sat Aug 15, 2026, 9:00 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
MLS
Phase One of the Leagues Cup is officially in the books, and now we're back to our regularly scheduled programming.
MLS returns with a massive slate tonight, followed by four more matches on Sunday. Some clubs have stayed busy over the past few weeks, while others used the break to rest and reset.
That creates an interesting slate from a betting perspective.
I've found three player props that stand out to me tonight, all at plus money. Let's get into the plays.
Head over to our MLS Picks Page for our expert's soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.
Featured Plays
- Brais Méndez To Score or Assist (+210)
- Cristian Espinoza To Score or Assist (+100)
- Timo Werner To Score or Assist (+100)
Brais Méndez (Columbus Crew) To Score or Assist
Both Charlotte and Columbus have been difficult teams to figure out this season.
There are stretches where Charlotte look dominant and nearly impossible to break down. Then there are matches where they look completely out of sync.
Columbus have dealt with a different problem.
Injuries and roster turnover have made it difficult for the Crew to establish a consistent starting XI. It feels like they've been searching for stability in attack for quite some time.
Enter Brais Méndez.
The former Real Sociedad midfielder was one of the top creators for the Spanish club. It hasn't taken him long to make his presence felt in MLS.
Through four appearances, Méndez already has three goals and one assist.
He's contributed to a goal in every match he's played for Columbus. More importantly, he looks like exactly what this attack was missing.
Méndez has only started two of those four matches, with both starts coming in the last two.
Because of that, I would still wait for confirmed lineups if your sportsbook doesn't void non-starters.
If he's starting, though, this number is extremely difficult for me to pass up.
Columbus need his creativity on the pitch, and we've already seen how quickly he's adapted to MLS.
At better than 2/1 to contribute to a goal, I'll gladly take my chances.
Play: Brais Méndez To Score or Assist (+210)
Cristian Espinoza (Nashville SC) To Score or Assist
Cristian Espinoza and Nashville look to hold onto the top spot in the Eastern Conference as MLS returns.
I'm going to continue targeting this Miami back line, especially when they're playing away from home.
Nashville haven't been in their best form lately. However, they've looked like a completely different team when Cristian Espinoza is available.
I think he's even more important to this attack than we originally realized.
Nashville look more decisive with Espinoza pulling the strings. He brings creativity, movement, and another legitimate scoring threat to the final third.
After dealing with an injury, Espinoza returned on August 9 and scored twice off the bench.
He then sat out Nashville's final Leagues Cup match.
That should mean fresh legs tonight, and Nashville likely prioritized having him available for this massive MLS matchup.
The numbers back up his importance.
Espinoza ranks inside Nashville's top five in goals per 90 minutes and expected goals. He also leads the team in chances created at nearly three per match.
His 10 big chances created are also the most on the team.
Nashville need to get back on track in league play. A win tonight would also create some separation between them and Miami at the top of the table.
If Espinoza starts, getting this prop at even money feels like a no-brainer.
Play: Cristian Espinoza To Score or Assist (+100)
Timo Werner (San Jose Earthquakes) To Score or Assist
Werner needs to continue to step up for his Club this season and get San Jose back on track.
Let's finish the night with a little late night action in San Jose.
Neither San Jose nor St. Louis participated in Leagues Cup. That means there shouldn't be much reason for either side to rotate tonight.
The biggest storyline for me is the departure of Marcel Hartel.
He was the heartbeat of St. Louis and the player who orchestrated so much of their attack. Losing him should have a noticeable impact on this team.
Now they have to play their first match without him on the road.
San Jose haven't maintained the dominant form we saw earlier this season. Their attack, however, continues to produce.
The Earthquakes are averaging two goals per match at home.
Timo Werner was also San Jose's best player before the Leagues Cup break. If this team wants to make a serious second-half push, he'll need to remain heavily involved.
Werner ranks second on the team in goals per 90 minutes and expected goals.
He's also second in chances created per 90, averaging 2.9.
I like the form he's shown over his last couple of matches. Now he gets a rested San Jose side playing at home against a St. Louis team undergoing a major change.
At even money, this is another number I don't want to pass up.
Play: Timo Werner To Score or Assist (+100)
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