The 2022 Major League Soccer season is drawing to a close with the regular season concluded. The playoff teams are now shifting gears as the serious work starts if they’re to lift the MLS Cup. Now if you want to get favorable MLS Cup odds in 2022, you’re better doing it before the postseason starts.
MLS Cup odds 2022
Let’s review the candidates to win the MLS Cup this season.
LAFC, the (not so) smart money?
Los Angeles FC isn’t just that team with Gareth Bale, Giorgio Chiellini, and Carlos Vela within the ranks. It’s a very real silverware-chasing franchise. Having already bagged the Supporters’ Shield for 2022, the team’s top scorer, Cristian Arango would love to put a trophy to his goal-laden season. All of these should point to them as a top selection when considering MLS Cup odds 2022.
However, when it comes to the big crunch-time games, LAFC has struggled. In the five games against other top teams: Philadelphia Union and Austin FC, the same ilk of teams that Steve Cherundolo will have navigated against, LAFC won just one game. Whether it’s specific faceoffs or a collective mentality defect, this aspect will cast doubts over their legitimacy to win the MLS Cup.
Can Austin attack the Playoffs?
Austin FC boasts two of the division’s best offensive threats in the form of Sebastian Driussi and Diego Fagundez. This South American pair have consistently combined to give the newest Texas franchise an outrageously efficient attack.
Of course, some might consider it to be too early for Austin to win a title, with the club just in its second season. However, Atlanta United is the original blueprint for early success, having won the MLS Cup within a two-season timeframe. Austin can dream to do the same for sure with this offense. If these two can link up throughout the MLS playoffs, there’s no doubt they’ll have favorable MLS Champions odds.
Can Philadelphia Union learn from prior failures?
Philadelphia Union is most certainly going in the right direction under Jim Curtin, despite several seasons with inconsistent results since his appointment in 2014 – the Union confidently put together strong 2020 and 2021 seasons.
The team topped the Eastern Conference standings in the former while going all the way to the Conference Championship final last season despite finishing sixth in the standings. This experience of topping the standings and then subsequently going further in the postseason can only serve them well in the 2022 playoffs and enhance their MLS Championship odds.
Of course, the form of Daniel Gazdag is crucial as the primary goal threat for Philadelphia as the Hungarian attacking midfielder finished the regular season with a hat-trick in a stimulating 4-0 victory over Toronto FC. With 22 goals across the regular campaign, he’ll be a focal point in their postseason efforts.
Could New York City earn back-to-back titles?
No postseason MLS preview would be complete without considering the MLS Playoff odds for the reigning champions. New York City FC might have only joined Major League Soccer in 2015 but has arguably eclipsed its Hudson River rivals, having captured the league title last season. Few MLS Cup predictions from the 2021 campaign would have opted for New York City to win, yet this simply validates the unpredictability and depth of quality in the league.
This year Santiago Rodríguez has been incredibly prolific as an assist-maker for the team with 10 in the regular season. Should he keep that form going forward it’ll be hard to keep them out of the conversation.
Another key reason to back New York City is their form going into the postseason. They had three successive victories in the league after lifting the Campeones Cup in the prior match. That winning form came from a stern defence which conceded just one goal in 360+ minutes of play.
Real Salt Lake – the real deal?
Decision day was a tense affair in the Western Conference with the last few spots going down to the wire. There was no more poignant of matches than the straight shoot-out between Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Salt Lake was able to score an impressive 3-1 victory with goals from Jefferson Savarino, Rubio Rubin, and Bode Davis; more importantly, the result paved the way for the franchise to seal a playoff berth directly over the Timbers.
Ardent Salt Lake supporters will remember 2009 with a similar storyline, as the team took the last postseason qualification spot – and went on to win MLS Cup, defeating LA Galaxy on penalties. Could it happen again in 2022?
Best Bet in MLS Cup odds 2022
If you’re partial to a bet and want to make a profit on predicting the 2022 MLS cup winner, then be sure to consider all the above information when selecting your choice.
The bookies’ favorite remains to be LAFC who’ve done little wrong all season, yet were undone at home by fellow Western Conference playoff participant, Nashville SC.
As of September 21st, they’re still at +238 to lift the cup according to Sports Betting Dime.
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If you’re in the mood for a longer shot, Real Salt Lake doesn’t even make the top 10 of SBD’s odds but come in with decent momentum having qualified for the playoffs on decision day.
Furthermore, they know how to beat their next opponent, Austin FC. The last four games between the sides are split with two wins apiece. Salt Lake might not classically perform at Q2 stadium, which only enhances their long-shot +9500 odds.
