MLS Golden Boot Odds Favor DC United’s Ola Kamara at +275

• DC United striker Ola Kamara leads the way, both in goals scored (17) and favored in the odds (+275)
• But Raul Ruidiaz and Daniel Salloi are hot on his heels, with 16 goals apiece
• Read on for a look at all the odds for the Golden Boot, a look at some contenders and a best bet

With between five and six games remaining in the MLS regular season, the race for the Golden Boot as the league’s leading scorer is really starting to heat up. Just one goal separates the top three contenders in that race, with DC United’s Ola Kamara sitting just out in front of Seattle Sounders frontman Raul Ruidiaz and Sporting KC’s Daniel Salloi.

Though there may be better value to be had further back in the field, the fact that Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar or FC Dallas’s Ricardo Pepi would have to score at least four goals in their remaining half-dozen or fewer games stands as a serious obstacle to overcome.

MLS Top Goalscorer Odds

Odds as of October 15th at DraftKings

Kamara’s to Lose?

The DC United striker has had something of a polarizing effect on the MLS Golden Boot race. While the Norwegian is in pole position to win his first Golden Boot. Of his 17 goals, eight have come from the penalty spot. In fact, one more successful penalty would see Kamara tie the all-time MLS single-season record of nine.

🎩 A first half hat trick for @OlaKamara! 🎩 pic.twitter.com/othtXuo0kA

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 16, 2021

But no matter the source of the goals, the point is Kamara is scoring them. Of all the contenders for the Golden Boot, Kamara has by far the best goals-per-game average, with his 17 goals coming in just 16 starts and 22 games. Consequently, he has a goals-per-90-minutes ratio of 1.13, well above his rivals for the title, who are almost all in the 0.5-0.69 range.

Vela and Chicharito get the media hype, but can we give some love to the current golden boot leader, Ola Kamara? 17 goals in 1270 minutes is great output. That's a goal every 75 minutes!

He's been a beast since coming to #MLS and he's been on fire with #DCU.

— The Final Third Podcast (@FinalThirdShow) October 1, 2021

The only other player who comes anywhere close to Kamara’s production rate is Javier Hernandez, with the injury-prone Chicharito averaging 0.82 goals per 90.

Among MLS players with 10+ appearances, only Ola Kamara (1.6), Chicharito (1) and Luke Haakenson (0.9) have scored more goals per 90 minutes than Josef Martinez (0.7) this season

He's back 🇻🇪😡 #ATLUTD pic.twitter.com/ktS3BlMjkT

— Chris Smith (@CJSmith91) September 18, 2021

The one knock on his chances is the caliber of defenses he will face down the stretch. Of DC’s six remaining games, five are against teams that feature in the top half of MLS in terms of xGA, with only Toronto FC in the final game of the season standing out as a ripe opportunity to plunder goals.

Can Ruidiaz Rise Up?

While Ruidiaz’s 16 goals have already comfortably surpassed his previous MLS season-high of 12, the Peruvian striker will have to soar to even greater heights if he is to claim a first Golden Boot.

MLS and the Seattle Sounders providing the heat! 🔥

Raul Ruidiaz, take a bow.pic.twitter.com/tKyFZTDeDx

— 90min (@90min_Football) July 23, 2021

He does have a certain strength of schedule – or lack thereof – to help build his case, with games against Houston, Vancouver, Sporting KC and the Los Angeles Galaxy all being matchups against the bottom half of MLS teams defensively. However, Ruidiaz is already averaging less goals per 90 than in two of his four MLS seasons and has contributed less assists than ever before, so it’s hard to see how his focus on goal scoring can provide much more than it already is.

Brian Schmetzer called Raúl Ruidíaz reaggrevataed injury "a slight aggravation" that it will not keep him out for a long period of time.#Sounders is working closely with the Peruvian National team doctor as he gets treated there but it doesn't seem to be extremely serious. pic.twitter.com/LtK6iPZQN9

— Niko Moreno (@ELROLONW) October 13, 2021

On top of that, Ruidiaz picked up a slight injury while on international duty, so will also be unavailable for the next couple of games.

Salloi In With a Shout

On the surface, Sporting KC’s striker seems to have come out of nowhere, having scored more goals in 2021 than he did in his first four MLS seasons combined.

Daniel Salloi leads MLS with combined goals and assists.

Can't argue with the numbers, he's having an MVP-style season 😤 pic.twitter.com/FQhqtnoYYC

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) October 6, 2021

However, the Hungarian has shown what he is made of this season, scoring 16 non-penalty goals and while most came at the start of the campaign, he has rediscovered his scoring touch of late, with four goals in his last four MLS games. Sporting KC’s remaining schedule should also be a source of strength to Salloi’s campaign, with games against Vancouver, the Galaxy and expansion side Austin FC all offering productive opportunities for goals.

Best bet: Daniel Salloi (+400)