Riding Ten-Match Undefeated Streak, New England Revolution Shorten to 33-1 Odds to Win MLS Cup

• The New England Revolution have seen their MLS Cup odds shorten from +10000 earlier this month to +3300 today
• New head coach Bruce Arena has them undefeated in MLS play
• Designated players making a huge impact on success

The New England Revolution didn’t start the 2019 MLS season strong. They had just two wins over their first 12 matches this season. But a coaching change back in May has sparked the Revs to life and they now sit seventh in the Eastern Conference and well in the playoff conversation.

Expectations weren’t high in New England this season with average opening odds of +8000 to win  MLS Cup. But things had gotten so bad that those MLS Cup odds had sunk all the way to +25000 on May 1. Yet after a string of ten MLS matches without a defeat, those odds have shortened from +10000 earlier this month, to +3300 today.

2019 MLS Cup Odds

*Odds taken July 22, 2019

Sometimes you need to hit rock-bottom before you can move forward. For the Revs rock-bottom came in a 5-0 loss to Chicago on May 8. The defeat followed a 6-1 loss to Philadelphia, 4-4 draw with Sporting KC and 3-0 loss to Montreal.

Head coach Brad Friedel was fired on May 9. Interim coach Mike Lapper was in charge for a 3-1 win in their next match over San Jose. General Manager Mike Burns was fired May 13.

Then former LA Galaxy and US Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena was announced as the new coach and sports director on May 14. With the addition of Arena, New England welcomed a coach with five MLS Cup titles and the winningest coach in United States Men’s National Team history.

? "We're playing collectively, which is good to see" – Bruce Arena #NERevs // #CINvNE pic.twitter.com/ncGafjWwJB

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 22, 2019

Arena didn’t take to the sidelines immediately, but the Revs have now yet to lose an MLS match since Friedel’s firing or under Arena’s watch.

Their record in MLS is 6-0-4. Overall, when you add in two US Open Cup (USOC) matches, that record is 7-1-4.

They suffered one defeat in the USOC and since, have won four of six. This past week they won 4-0 at home to Vancouver and 2-0 on the road to Cincinnati.

DPs Making a Difference

Not always a team known for splashing the cash, New England signed Spanish midfielder Carles Gil earlier this year to a designated player contract. Gil ranks within the top 20 in league scoring with seven goals and eight assists. But he’s been coming on strong this month under Arena, with three goals and three assists in four matches.

Three goals
Three assists
3-0-1 record

With still one more game in July (at home vs. Orlando on Saturday), Carles Gil is gonna have one heck of a case for @MLS Player of the Month. #NERevs pic.twitter.com/lljDobhMBO

— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) July 22, 2019

Then on July 10, the Revs signed Argentine striker Gustavo Bou from Club Tijuana in a deal reported to possibly exceed $16 million.

Bou scored in his first match for New England, and in the two games Bou and Gil have played together, the pair have combined for three goals and three assists.

In the 4-0 rout of Vancouver, they also combined for 15 shots and six on target.

Photo of the evening from #NEvVAN.

Carles Gil and Gustavo Bou proving more than worthy of their #NERevs Designated Player tags. Immediate connection.

?: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports pic.twitter.com/Gb4V4C9Le6

— Jonathan Sigal (@JonathanSigal) July 18, 2019

Can Revs Carry Momentum to MLS Cup Playoffs?

Their run of good form sees them now seventh in the East at 8-8-6 and 30 points. They’ve scored 30 goals while conceding 38 times. With the added offense, those numbers should begin to balance out soon.

The 30 points ties them with Montreal in sixth and puts them two points back of New York City in fifth. However, they hold just a one-point lead over Toronto (eighth) and four over Orlando (ninth). Each of New England, Toronto and Orlando have played 22 matches. The Revs hold a game-in-hand over Montreal who have played 23. NYCFC hold a strong advantage over every side in the East having only played 19 times.

What the East looks like 20 weeks in. ? pic.twitter.com/3gvgkGtbjJ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2019

The Revs have been good. And already finding themselves in a playoff position puts them in a great spot heading in the back half of the season. With 12 games remaining, they have six at home and six away.

However, it won’t be the easiest of schedules. Only four games will come against teams with losing records — two versus Orlando, one versus Chicago and one versus Toronto. TFC should be improved with most of their stars back from international competitions. Seven of the 12 will also come versus teams currently in playoff positions.

Only four of New England’s remaining games will come against teams with losing records — two versus Orlando, one versus Chicago and one versus Toronto.

I think the current top five in the East should be good bets to make the playoffs. Montreal, with a losing record (9-11-3) and a minus-11 goal differential, could easily fall out of their place in sixth. That should leave the door open for New England and possibly Toronto to finish above the line.

If you're looking for all 57 goals from Week 20 in a video that's probably too long for Twitter (but we're just going with it since we ❤️ goals)…

You've come to the right place. pic.twitter.com/tTE7HmRWUd

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2019

With no team in the East looking incredibly dominant, having a bet on a likely playoff team at 33-1 odds would seem like a good investment to me. They may never be considered favorites for MLS Cup, but are still well within reach of grabbing a home playoff position, and at the price, would give you some great value to work with in the playoffs.