After Seeing Their Odds Shorten From +11000 to +3300, Are the San Jose Earthquakes a Good Bet to Win MLS Cup?
- The odds of the San Jose Earthquakes winning the MLS Cup have improved from an average of +11000 on May 21 to +3300 today
- After opening the season 0-4, San Jose has gone 7-2-4
- The Earthquakes haven’t won the MLS Cup since 2003
The history of the San Jose Earthquakes traces back to the halcyon days of the NASL in the 1970s, when the legendary George Best wore the San Jose jersey. But lately, the Earthquakes have accomplished so little on the pitch that their efforts barely register a blip on the Richter Scale.
That appears to be changing this season, though. The Earthquakes are charging up the table and shaking up the Western Conference of the MLS. Since opening the season a dismal 0-4, San Jose has posted an impressive 7-2-4 slate. And they are also causing a disturbance in the MLS Cup odds.
2019 MLS Cup Odds
| Team | 2019 MLS Cup Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles FC | +225 |
| Los Angeles Galaxy | +900 |
| Atlanta United | +900 |
| New York City FC | +1000 |
| New York Red Bulls | +1200 |
| DC United | +1600 |
| Philadelphia Union | +1600 |
| Portland Timbers | +1800 |
| Seattle Sounders | +2200 |
| Montreal Impact | +2500 |
| FC Dallas | +2500 |
| Toronto FC | +2500 |
| Houston Dynamo | +3300 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | +3300 |
*Odds taken 07/03/19. Follow link for complete list of all teams.
The Earthquakes average out to +3300 to win the MLS Cup across a variety of leading sportsbooks.
As recently as May 21, the odds of San Jose winning the 2019 MLS Cup were pegged at +11000.
The Earthquakes’ Shake
San Jose is unbeaten (4-0-2) in its last six MLS games. The Earthquakes have posted back-to-back clean sheets, toppling the Houston Dynamo 2-0 and the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-0. The latter victory was recorded before a home-record crowd of 50,850.
You won't find a better angle of @SalinasSJ11's goal.
A living legend at Stanford Stadium. #BeatLA pic.twitter.com/YkyStqPwLy
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) June 30, 2019
The Earthquakes have scored 28 goals, sixth in the league, led by eight from Chris Wondolowski. But they’ve surrendered an alarming 27 goals, although 14 of those were given up in their first four games of the season, as San Jose opened 0-4.
Another concern for San Jose is that on paper, they look to be homers. The Earthquakes are 6-1-3 at home but just 1-3-3 on the road. Only two of 12 Western Conference teams have accumulated fewer road points.
Does San Jose Know the Way?
Recent MLS Cup history is certainly on San Jose’s side. The Earthquakes currently sit fifth in the West. Last year, the Portland Timbers reached the MLS Cup final as a five seed. The Seattle Sounders (2016) and Los Angeles Galaxy (2012) got there as four seeds. You have to go all the way back to 2011 to find a one seed as the Western Conference representative in the MLS Cup.
6-1-4 in our last 11 matches.
1-0-0 in California Clasicos.
Not too shabby, @peladoalmeyda!#MatiasMondays | #VamosSJ pic.twitter.com/R2WCLshVJO
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 1, 2019
Portland followed a similar pattern last season, breaking 0-3-2 from the gate before finding form. San Jose hasn’t won an MLS Cup since 2003. No one expected such success out of the club this season but the Earthquakes just keep getting better.
Beating LA.
It never gets old. 😎 pic.twitter.com/hXFLpLUYhX
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) June 30, 2019
In the first-round of the MLS Cup playoffs, San Jose is the type of team that will have its opponent quaking in their boots.
Don’t empty the vault to bet the Earthquakes to win the MLS Cup but considering how they are rolling and recent MLS playoff history, a small wager seems a wise investment.
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.
