Atlanta United Given +120 Odds to Win MLS Eastern Conference

• After retooling during the offseason, Atlanta United have emerged as +120 favorites in the MLS Eastern Conference championship odds
• The Five Stripes won the MLS Cup in 2018, and came within one goal of the Eastern Conference title last season
• See the odds for the top contenders to win the MLS Eastern Conference in 2020 below

Atlanta United kept busy during the offseason, making an array of personnel changes after failing to reach the MLS Cup final last season. However, the new look has not dampened the Five Stripes’ fortunes, with Atlanta United looking towards this weekend’s season opener in Nashville perched as strong +120 favorites in the odds to win the MLS Eastern Conference.

Odds to Win MLS Eastern Conference

Odds taken on Feb. 27

Five Stripes Undergo Winter Makeover

The Five Stripes have been one of the most successful clubs in the MLS since joining the league just three years ago. Atlanta United claimed the MLS Cup title in just their second season in the league and saw a rash of injuries contribute to their narrow 2-1 loss to Toronto FC in last season’s Eastern Conference final.

Now we could understand why #ATLUTD let the superb LGP go and chose Fernando Meza.
He´s more tactically tidy.
He delivers the ball quickly and avoids complications.
It seems to be more predictable.
Less spectacular but more resolutive.
At least in his 1st official start.

— Gustavo Rodriguez (@gudaro_ar) February 19, 2020

Not content to sit on their laurels, the Five Stripes made dramatic lineup changes over the winter. Including captain Michael Parkhurst who retired, the club also parted ways with 11 players from last season’s roster. Gone are midfielder Julian Gressel, who finished second on the squad with eight goals, Paraguayan attacker Tito Villalba, workhorse defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, and veteran midfielder Darlington Nagbe.

There is no shortage of talent among the new arrivals, with Argentine defender Fernando Meza being the most notable addition. He is joined by Emerson Hyndman, who arrives on loan from Bournemouth as Nagbe’s replacement, and Brooks Lennon joining the midfield after three seasons with Real Salt Lake.

That has raised concerns as to how well, and how quickly, this new group will gel. There is no shortage of talent among the new arrivals, with Argentine defender Fernando Meza being the most notable addition. He is joined by Emerson Hyndman, who arrives on loan from Bournemouth as Nagbe’s replacement, and Brooks Lennon joining the midfield after three seasons with Real Salt Lake.

Atlanta Benefiting from Champions League Play, Favorable Schedule

The club has seen action in four friendlies and two CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) contests so far this preseason, producing mixed results. However, the Five Stripes looked to be in midseason form in their 3-0 rout of Motagua on Tuesday to clinch a berth in the CCL quarterfinals.

The club also enjoys a favorable schedule to kick off the 2020 MLS campaign. Following their season opener against the expansion Nashville SC, Atlanta returns home for the first of two early-season meetings with Cincinnati, and will also enjoy favorable road dates in Chicago and Orlando.

Martinez Key to Atlanta Offense

As has been the case in each of the past two seasons, Josef Martinez will once again be expected to power the Atlanta United offense. The Venezuelan star led the MLS in goalscoring with 31 markers two years ago and followed up with a 27-goal campaign in 2019.

It won't make the headlines, but this may be the top goal of the day.

Excellent build up with a pretty finish from Josef Martinez – a man who knows all about what to do in front of goal.

Atlanta United and Motagua still tied at 1 in Honduras. #SCCL2020 pic.twitter.com/nHeOqebdk9

— London's Finest (@LondonsFinestQU) February 19, 2020

Martinez was hobbled by a hamstring injury down the stretch last season and contributed just one goal in the club’s three playoff outings. However, the 26-year-old has been steady in Atlanta’s two Champions League clashes, potting a pair of goals, and is pegged as a close +300 second-favorite to emerge as the MLS’ top goalscorer in 2020.

NYC, TFC Expected to Contend

While the schedule makers have shined on the Five Stripes, they face no shortage of challenges in their bid to reach the MLS Cup final for the second time in their four-year history.

Most notable among them are the defending Eastern Conference regular season champions New York City FC, who return to action pegged as +300 second favorites to claim the Eastern Conference title in 2020. In addition, the Five Stripes cannot afford to overlook the team that ended their playoff drive in 2019, with Toronto FC sitting third as a +500 bet to reach the MLS Cup final for the fourth time in five years.

Con Maxi Moralez y Valentín Castellanos, #NYCFC avanzó en la #SCCL2020 https://t.co/cAByWaaEOo

— MLS_Argentina (@MLS_Argentina) February 27, 2020

NYCFC return to action with their core from last season largely intact. With playmaker Maxi Moralez leading the way, New York City finished second only to Los Angeles FC with an 18-10-6 record and currently offer the best value on the MLS futures of any Eastern Conference squad.

However, as other sides have discovered, it is unwise to count out Toronto. After struggling through a disappointing campaign, the battle-hardened Reds ground their way to the MLS Cup final before losing to Seattle. Toronto FC returns to action sporting largely the same core, but with captain Michael Bradley sidelined until at least July after undergoing ankle surgery in January, it remains to be seen if this club can maintain that intensity, and remain competitive without their leader.

Pick: New York City FC (+300)