Now 1st in the East, Philadelphia Union +1300 Odds to Win MLS Cup
- The Philadelphia Union are in first place in the MLS Eastern Conference
- Philadelphia has lost once in its last 10 games
- The average odds of the Union winning the MLS Cup are +1300
The four-game winning streak of the Philadelphia Union came to a halt following Saturday’s scoreless tie with the Seattle Sounders. The good feeling that surrounds the team, though, continues to grow.
#RBNY are on the move! 📶 https://t.co/CaWBBYbz5t pic.twitter.com/8mQVpQszW1
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 22, 2019
The Union have lost just once in the last 10 games. They are joint first place with DC United atop the MLS Eastern Conference with 24 points and a 7-3-3 record.
The Union are still struggling to win over the oddsmakers at the sportsbooks, however. Across a variety of the leading sportsbooks, Philadelphia’s average MLS Cup odds sit at +1300.
2019 MLS Cup Odds
| Team | 2019 MLS Cup Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles FC | +250 |
| Los Angeles Galaxy | +800 |
| DC United | +1000 |
| Atlanta FC | +1000 |
| New York City FC | +1200 |
| Philadelphia Union | +1200 |
| Seattle Sounders | +1200 |
| Houston Dynamo | +1600 |
| New York Red Bulls | +2000 |
| Toronto FC | +2000 |
Odds taken on 05/22/19.
Philly was at +2000 to open the season. They went as high as +3800 in April and were +3100 on May 1st.
Union Depth is Showing
Philadelphia is getting it done at both ends of the pitch. They lead all Eastern Conference teams in scoring with 23 goals and only the defending MLS Cup champion Atlanta FC (nine) have allowed fewer goals than the 12 surrendered by the Union.
That gives them a conference-best goal differential of plus-11. Five different players found the back of the net in Philly’s 6-1 dismantling of the New England Revolution, a game that saw the Union hit for five second-half goals. That was also Philadelphia’s highest-scoring match since 2017.
It’s Not Unusual
Philadelphia has put together stretches like this in the past, only to slide back. Last season, the Union posted a similar 7-1-2 stretch just prior to the playoffs.
But when postseason play started, Philly was quickly dispatched in the knockout round 3-1 by New York City FC.
In 2017, Philadelphia closed the regular season 4-2-3 but it wasn’t enough to earn the team a playoff position.
Why Should This Year Be Any Different?
It’s not so much about what Philly is doing as it is about what the rest of the Eastern Conference is doing.
Toronto FC and New York City FC, thought by most of the experts to be the elite teams in the East, are both currently situated on the playoff bubble. Defending champion Atlanta FC hasn’t impressed anyone.
💙💙💙💔💙💛💙💙💙💛
Who's the hottest team in @MLS over the last 10 matches? 🤔
Answer 👉 https://t.co/FcZXjPViaN#DOOP pic.twitter.com/nRQHbqXSJH
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 21, 2019
Both DC United and Philadephia have piled up wins against the league’s weaker squads.
There isn’t a team in the East that doesn’t have a flaw, and that’s a problem.
Following a shaky start, #PhiladelphiaUnion have made some big trades and gained some momentum only losing one in ten games. Despite leading the Eastern Conference, they are someway behind #LAFC in terms of goal difference. LAFC looking favourites for the #MLS Supporters Shield!
— Matty Galvin (@MattyGalvin93) May 22, 2019
Los Angeles FC are the class of the MLS this season. No team in the East measures up well against them. And you’d also have to say that the Sounders and Houston Dynamos rate above any team from the East.
Could Philly win the Eastern Conference? Absolutely.
But the Union won’t be winning the MLS Cup. It’s headed West this year.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
