Title Contender, Dark Horses for 2022 MLS Season
Reigning Champs Not Atop Odds Board
The NFL is over and won’t be back until September. Luckily for all betting online enthusiasts, the 2022 MLS season is about to begin. Come on, I know it’s not the same, but MLS has come a long way in recent years.
The tournament has become so competitive that no team has managed to win back-to-back titles since 2012. This time, New York City FC will be the team trying to break the spell, but it won’t be easy. There are three teams ahead of the Citizens on the odds board.
2022 MLS Season Favorites Breakdown
It’s Revolution, Baby!
Last season, no other team won more points than the New England Revolution. Bruce Arena’s team finished atop the Eastern Conference with a 19-point advantage over second place. That’s not all, the Revolution also finished as the top scoring team with 65 goals.
Arena won Coach of the Year, Carles Gil won MVP, and Matt Turner won Goalkeeper of the Year. The problem was that New England couldn’t keep up in the postseason. They lost to New York City FC in the Conference Semifinals.
To avoid another meltdown, the front office went out fishing and caught Jozy Altidore. The veteran striker knows a thing or two about winning titles. Plus, he will be a great role model for younger players.
The Revolution is offering a well-deserved +600 price in the sportsbook.
Other Contenders
- Seattle Sounders
When it comes to the MLS title race, it’s inevitable to talk about the Seattle Sounders. Seattle played in four of the last six MLS Cup Finals, winning two titles.
Last season, they finished in second place in the Western Conference, only one point behind the Colorado Rapids. They lost in the First Round of the Playoffs to Real Salt Lake.
Defensively, no other team in the entire league allowed less goals than them with 33. Offensively, Raul Ruidiaz finished among the top scorers with 17 goals. Ruidiaz is going nowhere after signing a contract extension until 2024.
Seattle is probably the most balanced team in the league, that’s why its +900 price is also well deserved.
- Los Angeles FC
Last season, Los Angeles FC didn’t qualify for the postseason. Nevertheless, they’re also among the soccer betting favorites to dethrone New York City FC thanks to a +900 price.
Steve Cherundolo taking over as head coach has a lot to do with that. Also, the fact that they signed Doneil Henry, Franco Escobar, Ryan Hollingshead, Maxime Crepeau, and Kellyn Acosta. Let’s not forget that their roster already included Carlos Vela, Cristian Arango, and Jose Cifuentes.
If Vela manages to stay healthy, LAFC will have a genuine shot.
- Sporting KC
Sporting KC finished in third place in the Western Conference. Curiously enough, no other team scored more goals than them with 58. They also did a good job defensively, allowing 40 goals, third-best record in the conference.
With Daniel Salloi and Alan Pulido coming back, Sporting KC shouldn’t have much trouble replicating those numbers. Last season, Salloi led the way with 16 goals, while Pulido scored eight.
Sporting KC is offering a +1000 price
- New York City FC
You didn’t think we were going to leave the champs out of the conversation, right? Well, after conquering its first MLS title, New York City FC is also offering a +1000 price.
The team was able to retain Valentin Castellanos. He received many offers after finishing the 2021 season as the league’s top scorer with 19 goals. As if that wasn’t enough, the champs signed defender Thiago Martins. That will allow them to be a more balanced team.
New York City FC is also competing in the CONCACAF Champions League, which could end up being a distraction.
Dark Horses
You should always add an underdog in your soccer picks, so here you have two options, one per conference.
Regarding the Eastern Conference, I think Atlanta United at +2500 is a great option. The team drastically changed since Gonzalo Pineda took over as head coach and he remains in charge. Despite some rumors, Josef Martinez, the team’s top scorer, won’t go anywhere. Plus, they signed Dom Dwyer, who should be the perfect companion for Martinez.
Regarding the Western Conference, there’s no better option than Salt Lake City, also at +2500. Last season, they finished in seventh place but managed to eliminate the Sounders and Sporting KC in the postseason. They’ll begin the season highly motivated and with more self-confidence.
Final Analysis and Picks
Among the favorites, no other team has had a process like Seattle’s. We’re talking about a team that has never missed the postseason. Their DNA includes a winning mentality, no matter the circumstances.
As for the dark horses, I think you should go with Atlanta. Gonzalo Pineda is clear: “I don’t want to just win in any way, I want to win in the Atlanta United way.” Fortunately for him, the team has enough talent to do it.
