Betting on soccer futures can be difficult less than midway through the season. In MLS specifically, you're waiting for the championship picture to really take shape. Some teams fall out of contention early, but opportunities abound around the league at large for the first 17 to 20 games or so. Our latest 2021 MLS Cup betting odds and predictions will try to add some clarity to what remains a fluid situation.
This season is around 10 or so games old at this writing. With roughly one-third of the schedule in the books, we don't have all the information we need, but enough matches have been played for us to draw some profound takeaways and understand the ongoing league dynamics.
Let's start with the latest MLS cup betting odds, courtesy of BetOnline:
MLS Championship Pick | |
---|---|
Los Angeles FC | +700 |
New England Revolution | +700 |
Seattle Sounders | +700 |
New York City FC | +1000 |
Sporting Kansas City | +1200 |
Atlanta United FC | +1600 |
Colorado Rapids | +1600 |
LA Galaxy | +1600 |
Philadelphia Union | +1600 |
Columbus Crew SC | +2000 |
New York Red Bulls | +2000 |
Minnesota United FC | +2500 |
Nashville SC | +2500 |
Orlando City SC | +2500 |
Portland Timbers | +2500 |
Toronto FC | +2500 |
Intern Milan CF | +4000 |
Chicago Fire | +5000 |
DC United | +5000 |
FC Dallas | +5000 |
Real Salt Lake | +5000 |
Austin FC | +6600 |
Charlotte FC | +6600 |
Montreal Impact | +6600 |
San Jose Earthquakes | +6600 |
Vancouver Whitecaps | +6600 |
FC Cinccinnati | +10000 |
Houston Dynamo | +10000 |
These MLS odds are accurate as of June 27, so you'll want to double-check them as the season soldiers on and the top online sportsbooks continue shifting lines to account for what's happening on the pitch.
2021 MLS Cup Betting Breakdown
Before getting to our MLS Cup predictions, let's take a look around the league and see what stands out thus far, as well as evaluate some of the betting favorites to grab this year's title.
2021 MLS Cup Lacking Standouts?
Usually around this time, MLS will have around six to eight teams who really stand out from the pack, most of them enjoying a dominant stretch to the season. This year, though, out three have caught our eye.
First up, of course, is the Seattle Sounders (+500), which obviously comes as little surprise. They have won two of the past five MLS Cups while making four MLS Cup Finals. Their ability to consistently field a borderline dominant team is truly incredible.
This iteration of the Sounders is on another level defensively. They have allowed just five goals through 10 matches, through which time they have an undefeated record (7-0-3). Going up against them is truly an exhaustive experience. They have two players who rank in the top five of interception, Yeimar Gomez Andrade (the league leader) and Alex Roldan.
Orlando City (+700) has also stood out, also for its defense. They have allowed just eight goals over 10 matches and sport a 6-1-3 record. Led by defender Antonio Carlos, they're a disciplined bunch that doesn't make a ton of mistakes. They've allowed just one penalty kick all season.
Finally, there's the New England Revolution (+1200), who just don't seem to be getting enough attention for the job they're doing. And yet, at 7-1-2, they are actually the closest MLS comes to having another undefeated team.
Some will point to their goal differential (plus-six) as a warning sign that they're overrated. We firmly disagree. They can afford to win games by narrower margins when their offense is so high-powered. Midfielder Carles Gil leads the entire league in assists and key passes.
Are Reigning MLS Cup Champs Still In The Mix?
While the reigning Columbus Crew (+700) are still laying top-three odds, we're not so sure they belong as firmly in the MLS Cup discussion. They've racked up three losses and two ties through their first 10 games, which is hardly an elite record.
The biggest concern remains their capacity to generate meaningful offense. They have put in just seven total goals so far and zero penalty kicks. Kudos to their defense for keeping things afloat. They're not going to force a bunch of turnovers and interceptions, but their defenseman will prevent shots from ever happening, and goalkeeper Eloy Room remains a stud.
We're not saying to throw Columbus out of the conversation entirely. They've dealt with some key injuries. But be wary of their odds. Anything under +1000 right now feels like an overpay.
Biggest MLS Cup Dark Horse
For the record, New England should absolutely go here. That they're still laying 12-to-1 odds is kind of a miracle. They're more of a threat than Columbus, in our estimation.
Sporting Kansas City (+2000) catches our eye after them. They look and feel better than a 20-to-1 long shot. They have racked up 20 goals in just 11 games, and while their passing and overall execution is very much completed by committee, they're not without star power. Both Daniel Salloi and Alan Pulido rank in the top 10 of goals scored.
Most will be skeptical of their chances to win the MLS cup because of spotty defense. We get that. Kansas City is liable to let up too many multigoal performances and doesn't have the most dependable defensemen rotation. Still, the talent and numbers on their offense are for real. Take them seriously
Official 2021 MLS Cup Prediction
Apologies for the boring selection here, but we've got to go with the Seattle Sounders. They continue to check too many boxes.
We already burned some ink lauding their defense, but they have the goods on offense, too. Raul Rudiaz is tied for the league lead in goals scored, and Joao Paulo remains among the best setup men in the game.
Amid a championship field that seems thinner than normal, Seattle is by far your best MLS Cup investment.
OSB MLS Cup Prediction: Seattle Sounders (+500)
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