Favorites, Dark Horses to Win MLS Cup
If you’re an MLS betting enthusiast, I have good news. Starting on Saturday, you’ll be able to add MLS matches to your wagering slate. In fact, you can add it now by placing a futures bet on which team will win the title in 2023.
That’s why we took on the task of listing the top favorites and a couple of dark horses to win the MLS Cup.
1. Los Angeles FC
There’s only one way to start this article: Talking about the reigning champions. Los Angeles FC had an incredible 2022 season, finishing first in the Western Conference and defeating Los Angeles Galaxy, Austin FC, and Philadelphia Union in the postseason to win the team’s first MLS Cup.
As expected, they come in as the betting online favorites to win it again. They’re offering a +450 price. Gareth Bale is gone, but the rest of the main cast will return, including Carlos Vela, Kellyn Acosta, Jose Cifuentes and Maxime Crepeau. As if that wasn’t enough, they signed Aaron Long, one of the best center-backs in the league.
2. Philadelphia Union
Last season’s runners-up are offering a +700 price, which is a great deal considering all the heavyweights will be back, including AndreBlake, Daniel Gazdag, Alejandro Bedoya, and Jack Elliot. Last season, no other team scored more goals than Union’s 72.
The Eastern Conference champions also brought in some reinforcements, including Andres Perea, Joaquin Torres, Julian Carranza, and Damion Lowe. All four come from another MLS team, meaning they won’t need extra time to adapt. Finally, the Union finished preseason with a 4-2-0 record.
3. New York City FC
New York City FC won the title in 2021 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Grand Finale in 2022, losing 3-1 to the Union. The fact that they managed to do that despite losing Valentin Castellanos, who signed with Girona FC in the middle of the season, speaks about the good chemistry that exists between all squad members.
The Citizens are offering a +800 price in the sportsbook to dethrone LAFC. They didn’t make a lot of changes, but they did make a big signing. We’re talking about right-back Mitja Ilenic, who used to play for Domzale, a Slovenian team.
4. New York Red Bulls
Finally, we’ve the New York Red Bulls, who are offering a +1200 price. Last season, the Red Bulls finished fourth in the Eastern Conference, but lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati in the first round of the playoffs, meaning they’re thirsty for revenge.
Lewis Morgan will be leading the attacking unit once again. Last season, 18 players managed to score a hat trick, Morgan was one of them. He ended up scoring 18 goals in all competitions. Patryk Klimala won’t be back since he left to play for Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Israeli Premier League, but Luquinhas will return. The Brazilian scored seven goals in all competitions. Him and Morgan have the potential to become the league’s best-attacking duo.
5. Dark Horses
If you were looking for a dark horse to include in your MLS picks, we’ve two great options – one from the Eastern Conference and one from the West. First, we have Inter Miami CF. Last season, the Herons qualified for the playoffs but lost to New York City in the first round. What’s different from last year? Well, they signed Josef Martinez, a certified scorer who’s eager to prove he still belongs to the elite. They’re offering a +1800 price.
As for the Western Conference, there are the Portland Timbers at +4000. Two seasons ago, they almost won the MLS Cup, but last season didn’t even make it to the playoffs. They’ve had plenty of time to regroup and now will have Evander, a Brazilian playmaker who spent the last five years in Denmark, leading the way at midfield. They scored 53 goals last year, more than four teams that did make it into the playoffs.
