Mark your calendars, folks, as the new Major League Soccer season is about to get started later this month. There’s plenty of intrigue this campaign, with several teams set to make a run at the title. In this article, we take a look at some of the best squads and provide our MLS futures picks for the 2022 season. Which teams will move on to the MLS Cup later this year?
Entering the new campaign, three teams share the top odds to win the MLS Cup: Seattle, LAFC and New England. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as all three teams are known as being powerhouses across the MLS and they’ve only gotten stronger this offseason. Last year, all three clubs really impressed with their play and they’re looking to keep things going again this season.
For the 2021 season, NYCFC and Portland squared off in the MLS Cup, with the team from the Bronx coming out on top and winning the title. NYCFC currently has the fourth-best MLS odds of winning the championship, as they’ve been set at +1000. It’s really tough to win back-to-back, and it’s clear that the oddsmakers think someone else will win the trophy this time around.
| MLS Cup odds |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | +700 | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| New England | +700 | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| LAFC | +700 | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| NYCFC | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
For Seattle, LAFC and New England, they’ve all been set at +700 per the best rated sportsbooks. This tells you that Las Vegas thinks it will be a neck and neck race between them down the road. With that said, it’s important to remember that Seattle and LAFC are in the Western Conference, while New England is in the Eastern Conference. Looking ahead to the playoffs, we could have a juicy matchup in the WC Finals between Seattle and LAFC.
With that said, over in the Eastern Conference, we could see New England and NYCFC meet up with a trip to the MLS Cup on the line as well. First, all four of these teams will need to focus on having a strong regular season. With all of that said, we’re going with the Sounders to win the MLS Cup this year. They’re simply too strong on both sides of the ball. Do you agree? Check out our soccer betting sites to get a wager in.
So, how will the Sounders end up getting to the MLS Cup? Look for Seattle and LAFC to meet in the Western Conference Finals this season. While this rivalry is young – and it doesn’t compare to the one between the Sounders and Timbers – both these sides are loaded with talent and their matchups have been nothing short of intriguing thus far when they meet.
For the Sounders, they are loaded with some top talent, of course including Peruvian forward Raul Ruidiaz. Ruidiaz was born to score goals and he’s been brilliant finding the back of the net for the Sounders. On top of that, Jordan Morris is also back to full health for the team and he’ll be ready to dazzle for the Sounders this year. You already know fans are excited to see him suit up.
“It’s been a long year for myself, personally,” Morris told reporters in December after he was able to get back on the pitch following his long-term injury. “Lots of games watched on the TV and watching from the sidelines. It was disappointing and frustrating. To be back with this group is amazing.”
Meanwhile for LAFC, the fellow Western Conference powerhouse features studs like Carlos Vela, Brian Rodriguez and more. Vela, a Mexican standout, is one of the best players in the entire league. He’s going to be ready to try and get LAFC to the MLS Cup. While the odds are yet to be released for the Western Conference Finals, we’re certainly picking Seattle over LAFC in this case.
A big question folks have on their minds is can NYCFC get back to the MLS Cup this season? This team returns plenty of star power from the club that won the title in 2021. Because of this, fans are hopeful that the team can repeat as champions. In order for them to get back to the MLS Cup and win the Eastern Conference, they’ll need to take down the rest of the tough competition out east.
It goes without saying, but the New England Revolution will be ready to do whatever they can to prevent NYCFC from getting back to the big game. New England is loaded itself and on paper, this team looks ready to try and get to the top. While we haven’t even played the first game of the season yet, we’re predicting these two teams to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Should that happen, there will be plenty of intrigue leading up to things. Both teams have fantastic attacks, while they’re also known for providing strong defenses as well. It could be a back-and-forth affair. At the end of the day, however, we think it will be New England who ends up winning the Eastern Conference Final. We think NE will face Seattle in the MLS Cup in 2022.
