Carlos Vela Favored to Score Most Goals Over Josef Martínez & Zlatan Ibrahimović in MLS Cup Playoffs
- Carlos Vela scored an MLS record-breaking 34 goals this season
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored 30 goals this season
- 2018 Golden Boot winner, Josef Martinez scored 27
As playoffs approach for Major League Soccer, the scoring spectacle this season has been one for the books. The race for top goal scorer in the playoffs could prove to be a tight one.
Los Angeles FC’s Carlos Vela scored a record-breaking 34 goals this season, surpassing Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez’ 31-goal record from last season.
Here’s how sportsbooks’ odds for most goals scored in the playoffs look a week and a half ahead of the post-season.
Most MLS Cup Playoff Goals Odds
| Player | Regular Season Goals | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Vela | 34 | +130 |
| Josef Martinez | 27 | +140 |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic | 30 | +300 |
*Odds taken 10/9/19
Martinez is preparing to defend the MLS Cup and he was the Golden Boot winner last year. He also scored four goals in five games in the 2018 post-season. Martinez sustained a right leg injury at the end of September when he collided with a teammate during a game, but he was back in action this past weekend and scored a goal against the New England Revolution.
Martinez scored 21 goals in 15 consecutive games this season.
Vela’s Los Angeles foe, LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, finished second in the scoring charts with 30 goals this season. Nine of his goals were game-winning goals.
The Power of Vela
Vela is on a hot streak and it makes sense to let him ride it out, it’s a good bet for +130. Vela helped his LAFC squad to a single-season record of 72 points, making them one of the best teams in MLS history.
Watch Vela’s MLS record-breaking 34 goals this season below. His record-breaking opening goal was nothing short of spectacular. In the match he broke the record, he also had a hat trick to beat the Colorado Rapids 3-1.
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it!
All 34 goals from @11carlosV's record-breaking season. ? pic.twitter.com/Yay6QmMjKQ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 7, 2019
Nine of Vela’s goals scored were penalty kicks. He had a hot month in July but since then his goals per month have gradually decreased, but October is far from over.
Competition gets more fierce in the second half of the season, starting in July, as teams are in contention for a playoff spot.
Playoff Picture
The playoff bracket is set and Vela could potentially play three games in the post-season if LAFC makes it to the championship match. He has averaged 1.10 goals per match this season.
With the new playoff format, 14 teams make the post-season and the top two teams in each division receive a bye in the first round, heading straight for the conference semifinals.
Vela and LAFC will face the winner of Ibrahimovic’s fifth-seeded LA Galaxy and fourth-seeded Minnesota United FC, setting the stage for a showdown between Western Conference rivals Ibrahimovic and Vela.
Ride it Out
Between the three, Vela is the better bet at +130, Martinez’ previous injury is somewhat of a concern, but as of last weekend it doesn’t seem to have affected him much.
Ibrahimovic is more risky bet with a greater payoff of +300 as he is up against a tough, higher-seeded Minnesota in the first game of playoffs.
Lindsey graduated with a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism in 2016, and since then has served as a commentator for men's and women's college sports, a contributor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, and works as a local radio traffic anchor.
