Preseason MLS Cup odds for 2023: Where does the betting value lie?

The Major League Soccer 2023 season is nearly upon us. That means you could be eyeing up a potential wager on who might be lifting the MLS Cup come the end of the year. We’re picking out some of the best options to put your money on. These MLS Cup odds 2023, courtesy of PointsBet, are correct as of 1st February.

Remember, though, only bet what you can afford to lose.

MLS Cup odds 2023

All odds taken February 1st at PointsBet. Check out PointsBet sign-up offers here. 

Safer bets: LAFC, Philadelphia Union, New York City

If you’re the type who wants to maximize your chance of a return, then you’re looking for a safer bet. The winnings might not be as big but it’s got a good chance of coming in. Few pundits would leave out Los Angeles FC, Philadelphia Union, and New York City FC from the business end of the competition. Even without Gareth Bale, LAFC will continue to operate at the top end of MLS as the reigning champions. Backing the 2022 champs to do it again is at modest odds of +450.

The prior winners, New York City will be looking to return to title form after losing out in the conference finals in 2022. The City group franchise is never short of talent and is a step up in potential winnings at +600.

Of course, the Pigeons were defeated by Philadelphia Union who only narrowly lost the MLS Cup final. The heartbreak came on penalties after an enthralling 3-3 draw with LAFC. Jim Curtin’s side however won a lot of fans by attacking long-diagonal balls with the high velocity of the top players in the league right now. They are currently priced at +550 to win MLS Cup.

Goals, means glory, right?: Nashville SC +900

Hany Mukhtar caused opposition backlines a real headache in 2022. The German attacking mid finished as the top-scorer in the entire division, scoring 23 goals in 34 games in the regular season. There isn’t much of a discussion as to whether he’ll do it again, as he scored 16 in the prior season.

The question is, how far can he take Nashville SC? He made key contributions if he didn’t score, yet he usually did find the back of the net. +900 is a good return but the odds will get longer and offer less value if the new defensive acquisitions can’t remedy the old problems at the back.

Martinez makes money: Inter Miami +1400

A cult hero was forged in Josef Martinez at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Venezuelan striker was a figurehead of Atlanta United. While injuries and disagreements with the club management reduced his playing time in the prior seasons, fans still cried to see the man who scored 68 goals over two seasons, lifting three trophies in the process.

Now contracted to Phil Neville’s Inter Miami, the club will be expected to do better in 2023. Making the playoffs would be a start. Yet, with Rodolfo Pizarro returning to the club, plus Leonardo Campana joining along with Martinez – +1400 suddenly looks like a good price for David Beckham’s franchise.

Onwards and upwards: FC Cincinnati +2000

One club who have jumped up in stature is FC Cincinnati, as seen in the MLS Cup odds for 2023. Their +2000 price is a nod to how they’ve developed after a very turbulent start in Major League Soccer. Between 2019 and 2021, the club couldn’t get a groove going drastically with bad goal differences in each season. They were labelled the division whipping boys by some.

Come 2022, however, that all changed. The installation of Pat Noonan as head coach got the team playing a possession-based game which doesn’t waste time or energy at all. Should Brandon Vazquez and Brenner keep up their goal-scoring form from last season, this could be a decent return.

Thinking about the Italian Job? Toronto FC, +5000

Toronto FC has had a real facelift of late with new arrivals, attempting to regain the former super-club status between 2016 and 2020. Bob Bradley linked up with his son Michael to change the fortunes of the franchise who were later joined by Napoli icon, Lorenzo Insigne.

While he’s not the only Italian at the club, he’s certainly the most prominent and perfect player to carry on the Sebastian Giovinco lineage at BMO Field. The club’s preseason MLS Cup odds stand at a hefty +5000. This would be a very handsome return if Insigne can convince some more Serie A players to join him and Federico Bernardeschi in Toronto.

The Longshots: St. Louis City, D.C. United, San Jose Earthquakes (all +8000)

Looking for a big return? They don’t much get longer than these teams all priced at +8000. These odds are the making for a big potential payday! St Louis City is of course embarking on their first-ever MLS season with head coach Bradley Carnell also starting his managerial career. This dual inexperience has given them the joint-longest MLS Cup odds in 2023 at +8000.

From the newest team to one of the original franchises, the San Jose Earthquakes come in at the same price. They are ranked with the same preseason MLS Cup odds, despite playing in every season since 1996. Their preseason power rankings are so low due to several years outside the playoffs, having only qualified once in the past five seasons.

One of the most interesting clubs in the build-up to the 2023 season is D.C. United. It was statistically one of the worst teams in the 2022 season. Subsequently, giving it the joint-longest odds for 2023.

However, it’s the first full season for Wayne Rooney as head coach. Christian Benteke, Ravel Morrison, and Victor Palsson also joined mid-season last year. They will be chomping at the bit to make a real impression on the club. Add in the new talent of Leeds United legend Mateusz Klich and existing Greek international Taxiarchis Fountas and this in theory could be one of the best MLS futures in 2023.