LA Galaxy’s Odds to Win MLS Western Conference Slump to 14-1 After Winless 0-3-2 Start

• After starting the year with +600 odds to win the Western Conference, the LA Galaxy are now at +1400 as the MLS season resumes
• The Galaxy have yet to win a match this season after going winless in Orlando
• Can LA bounce back or does Portland or LAFC hold better value? Get the odds, preview, and best bet below

As the MLS season gets underway after a gritty tune-up tournament in Orlando, it’s time to take a look at who could win each Conference. In the West, Portland impressed in the MLS is Back Tourney in Orlando, beating the host side in the final.

The LA Galaxy, who were among the contenders to win the Western Conference this season, struggled to put together results in Florida, losing all three matches and failed to advance past the group stage. Because of their poor form, LA’s odds have dropped immensely in the West as we head back into the season.

MLS Western Conference Odds

Odds taken August 17

Bob Bradley’s LAFC side are the current frontrunners with a +100 odds. The latest MLS Cup Odds also favor them to lift this year’s trophy at +300. Before the season started in March, LAFC was the clear favorites at -125 in the West.

In this conference, Portland has moved +1600 to +650 after a solid showing in Orlando, while defending champions Seattle have dropped from +300 to +650 after bowing out in the round of 16 against LAFC.

Can the Galaxy Bounce Back?

Although Los Angeles lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic in January as he rejoined former club AC Milan, they instantly made up for the loss by signing Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez, a player with a decorated resume in Europe. The Mexican international has played with the likes of Real Madrid, Sevilla, and West Ham. He became the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer when the Galaxy signed him. In three appearances this season, Hernandez has scored once. He’s yet to really find his rhythm, but with a full season ahead, the hope is that he’ll create some real havoc in the final third. Chicharito had to exit Orlando early, however, after suffering a calf injury in training.

More. Soccer. Soon.

TO𝕲ETHER | @TCL_USA pic.twitter.com/vfvDPjVhLo

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 9, 2020

In the MLS is Back Tournament, the Galaxy were dreadful defensively. They conceded nine goals across three fixtures while scoring just three times. LAFC thrashed them in the group stage as well by a score of 6-2, allowing four goals before halftime. Their issues at the back will need to be handled quickly if they want to compete this season. Even before this campaign was postponed back in March, LA tied Houston then lost to a weak Vancouver squad on home soil.

LAFC Looking Dangerous

LAFC has a ton of firepower on the attack, with the likes of Diego Rossi, Bradley Wright-Phillips, and Carlos Vela constantly creating opportunities in the final third. Vela sat out of the tune-up competition due to concerns over COVID-19, but regardless, Bradley’s men still found some decent results.

They won once and tied twice in the round-robin, scoring 11 times in three appearances, but did concede seven goals. They took down the current title-holders, the Seattle Sounders, 4-1 in the round of 16. The quarterfinals brought a tough task as they faced a surprising Orlando City team, who ended up knocking them out in penalties. Regardless, it was a productive tournament. Rossi led all players with seven goals, including four against the Galaxy. LAFC will need to tighten it up defensively, but with an electric trio up top, they’re definitely a club who can grab the Western Conference title this season.

Is Portland a Legitimate Contender?

The Timbers were fundamentally sound all over the pitch in Florida, going undefeated through seven matches en route to the trophy. Along the way, Giovanni Savarese’s side beat several quality clubs, including the Galaxy, Philadelphia, New York City FC, and Orlando in the final. Jeremy Ebobisse netted four times, while Sebastian Blanco also had three goals. Blanco also led the tourney with five assists, proving to be a difference-maker on the attack for Portland. Considering their current form, They should definitely be a team to watch closely as the season ramps up because they do have more than enough talent to make a run in the Western Conference.

Best Bet

There are numerous sides who are considered contenders in the West. Minnesota United is another squad who showed promise in Orlando and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Unfortunately for the Galaxy, I don’t see them even finishing in the top three. I believe their defensive issues will hurt them this season.

Seattle and Portland should find themselves towards the top of the table like most years, but LAFC will be the team who wins the Western Conference. Their abundance of quality in the final third is deadly and with Vela back as well, they will continue to score a boatload of goals. Add in a decent backline and they could definitely be a contender for the MLS Cup this season as well if all goes to plan.

Pick: LAFC +100