2015 MLS Futures – Sounders Solid, Galaxy Gaining

After roughly 17 fixtures, the 2015 MLS season is halfway complete, and the postseason race is heating up by the day.  A couple of teams are already out of the postseason run, but most are in the battle to get one of the eight berths.

But getting into the playoffs is just step one of the equation. Who will follow in the footsteps of the L.A. Galaxy and take home this year’s MLS Cup? Here is a closer look at the top teams along with the midseason odds for all 19 squads.

Seattle Sounders (9/2): Seattle sports fans have now proved their worth in multiple sports. Just like the Seahawks in the NFL, the Sounders enjoy a decisive home-field advantage at CenturyLink Field, losing just once this season. That should give the Sounders an edge come playoff time. Seattle aren’t just home-town heroes though, currently sitting atop the Western Conference and posting a league-best +9 goal differential during the first half of the season.

Los Angeles Galaxy (5/1): The current title holders have struggled to find consistency this season, but Bruce Arena’s team usually peaks late in the year: the Galaxy have been in three of the last four MLS Cup finals, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that they’re second in the odds, even though they sit third in the West. The 5/1 odds could be the highest you can get them from now until the end of the season.

D.C. United (6/1): D.C. United currently lead the MLS with 34 points and have a massive lead at the top of the Eastern Conference. The bulk of their points have come at home, where the team has won seven of 11 games. The team hasn’t found much postseasons success lately, though, and is in search of its first MLS title since 2004.

New England Revolution (8/1): After losing to the Galaxy in the 2014 final, the New England Patriots’ ugly stepbrother, the Revolution, have now finished as runners-up an MLS-record five times and have still never won the title. Hopes were high heading into the season – and the team is undefeated at home – but, overall, the Revolution are just 6-6-6 on the year despite playing in the weaker Eastern Conference. Their current 8/1 odds could be dropping soon.

New York Red Bulls (9/1): The Red Bulls haven’t played .500 soccer this season, like D.C. They remain one of the favorites due to a strong showing last year, in large part.

Sporting Kansas City (12/1): During the start of last season, Sporting Kansas City focused most of their efforts on the CONCACAF Champions League and it cost them in the MLS.  This year, they have refocused their attention domestically and it has paid dividends; the 2012 MLS Cup winners join the Revolution as the two remaining squads that have yet to lose at home.

Vancouver Whitecaps (14/1): Halfway through the tournament, the Whitecaps are the only team that has more wins on the road than at home. They are currently tied with the Sounders on points at the top of the Western Conference as a result (but lose the tiebreaker based on goal differential). But the Canadian club has little playoff experience and can’t be considered a legitimate title threat just yet.

Orlando City (20/1): Orlando is making its MLS debut this year and are surprising teams on a regular basis. The rookie squad crushed the Galaxy (4-0) early in the season and boast ex-Ballon d’Or winner Ricardo Kaka, a player known for winning big titles.

The Field:

FC Dallas: 20/1

Toronto FC: 20/1

Portland Timbers: 25/1

Columbus Crew: 33/1

New York City: 33/1

Real Salt Lake: 40/1

San Jose Earthquakes: 50/1

Chicago Fire: 66/1

Colorado Rapids: 66/1

Houston Dynamo: 66/1

Montreal Impact: 100/1

Philadelphia Union: 100/1

(Photo credit: Gregory Mauch (flickr) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/]. Photo has been cropped.)