The 29th edition of Major League Soccer is well underway, with nearly half the season complete, and it’s already delivered some surprising outcomes.
Don’t forget to check out our MLS Vegas Odds page, which provides everything you need to know about betting MLS.
As expected by many, Inter Miami is leading the charge in the Supporters’ Shield race, amassing 35 points through 18 matches.
The defending MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew, have had a less-than-stellar start to their title defense, with only six wins in 14 matches.
However, the Crew remain in contention in the tightly contested Eastern Conference, just four points shy of third place.
Last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners, FC Cincinnati, have picked up where they left off, continuing to secure points and currently holding the second spot in the table, just behind Inter Miami.
With both Miami and Cincinnati setting the pace, the race for the top of the Eastern Conference promises to be thrilling.
Los Angeles FC is gaining momentum on the West Coast as the season progresses.
The once high-flying, high-octane club is now showcasing a much-improved defensive game. They are currently sitting in second place in the Western Conference.
LAFC’s impressive run of five consecutive clean sheets in MLS play makes them formidable as they head toward the postseason.
| To Win 2024 MLS Cup |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami CF | +175 | +175 | +175 |
| Los Angeles FC | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Columbus Crew | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| FC Cincinnati | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| New York Red Bulls | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Philadelphia Union | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Seattle Sounders FC | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Orlando City SC | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Atlanta United | +8000 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Houston Dynamo | +8000 | +8000 | +8000 |
| LA Galaxy | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Nashville SC | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| New York City FC | +25000 | +25000 | +25000 |
| Sporting Kansas City | +25000 | +25000 | +25000 |
| St. Louis City SC | +15000 | +15000 | +15000 |
| New England Revolution | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Real Salt Lake | +8000 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Austin FC | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| CF Montreal | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| DC United | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| FC Dallas | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Minnesota United | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Portland Timbers | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Charlotte FC | +15000 | +15000 | +15000 |
| Chicago Fire | +15000 | +15000 | +15000 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | +250000 | +250000 | +250000 |
| Colorado Rapids | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
| Toronto FC | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Since the Copa America, Inter Miami, which led the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield table, has been overtaken by FC Cincinnati.
There has been significant movement in the standings following recent outcomes, with the Columbus Crew making significant progress and now ranking among the top five teams vying for the prestigious Cup this season.
Despite not having Lionel Messi until perhaps September, Miami managed well without him during the Copa America.
In the seven MLS games Inter played after Messi left to join the Argentinian National Team, they had a remarkable record of 6-1-0.
Undoubtedly, the talented squad, featuring players like Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, has the potential to lead a Messi-less Miami to a Round One bye and even secure the number one seed in the East.
Miami’s path in the playoffs looks promising, especially with the support of such a stellar cast of players. This success also means that Messi will have ample time to recover.
Since May 11, the odds for the Falcons have significantly improved. LAFC has been performing exceptionally well, with a record of 10-1-2. Their only setback was a 5-1 defeat against the Columbus Crew.
Denis Bouanga, last year’s MLS Golden Boot winner, has been more than just instrumental in their success. His 10 goals and six assists in the last 13 games have been a significant factor in LAFC’s recent performance.
Even during the All-Star/League Cup break, LAFC continued its winning streak. They secured a 2-0 victory against Atlanta in the Round of 32 and dominated San Jose with a 4-1 win in the Round of 16.
Bouanga scored three goals in these games.
It’s also worth noting that LAFC’s impressive +19.2 expected goal differential (xGD) surpasses the next-best xGD (NY Red Bulls) by a significant margin at +12.1. LAFC’s style of play sets them apart from the rest of the league.
Don’t forget that you can place bets while on the go with the best Las Vegas sports betting apps—the convenience of betting at your fingertips while waiting for your coffee or sitting in traffic.
The Columbus soccer team initially struggled, winning only three out of their first eleven games in the championship defense.
However, since mid-May, they have greatly improved with a record of 9-2-1, only losing to Inter Miami and Atlanta United.
Their recent loss has caused their odds to drop from +800 to +1600. Despite this setback, the loss to Atlanta, who had previously been on a 0-4-1 streak, is not too concerning, as both of Atlanta’s goals were scored off corners just minutes apart.
The Crew had only conceded three goals from set pieces in their 22 previous games, and they even won the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.8 to 1.6. Therefore, the significant drop in their odds due to this loss seems unwarranted.
Like LAFC, the Crew performed well in the Leagues Cup and secured a quarterfinal berth after defeating Inter Miami 4-2 in the Round of 16.
Considering their recent form and success in the Leagues Cup, the Columbus soccer team is showing promising signs.
Now might be a good time to wager on the defending MLS Cup champions, as they seem to be on the path to further success.
You’ll check back here regularly to stay updated on the news.
