New York Red Bulls 2019 MLS Cup Odds Shorten From +2000 to +1100; Are They Contenders?

• New York Red Bulls once saw their odds drift to +2000
• Now shortened  to an average of +1100
• Both LA teams still looking strong

As the MLS season approaches round 18, things are starting to happen in Harrison, New Jersey.  A stuttering start for the New York Red Bulls has been turned around, and last year’s beaten Eastern Conference finalists are on a roll.

2019 MLS Cup Odds

*Odds taken 07/03/19. For the full list of odds, click the link above.

After their slow start to the season, the Red Bulls’ average MLS Cup odds drifted out to +2000 – as of May 21 – whereas before the season began they were at +470. But their strong showing in May and June has seen their average MLS Cup odds shorten back down to +1100.

Awful Start

This is all a far cry from events in New Jersey back in April when the Red Bulls’ season got off to an awful start, with a single win in their opening seven games.

An opening day draw in Colorado was a steady start and was followed by a fine 4-1 home win against San Jose, but from there things quickly went downhill. In their next five games, they picked up just a single point – from a 2-2 draw away in Kansas City. Five points from the opening 21 on offer was certainly not how head coach Chris Armas planned it and they went out to +2000 for a reason.

Orlando City had a players-only meeting before the facing the New York Red Bulls and the team put together a solid performance in Harrison New Jersey, defeating the Red Bulls 1-0.

Story with quotes: https://t.co/ZBm7Y5Cfzv pic.twitter.com/evo6jIKFDQ

— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) March 24, 2019

The turning point for the Bulls, however, was a narrow home win over FC Cincinnati in late April when Connor Lade scored the only goal. Armas had reacted to the bad run by ringing the changes and his changed line-up delivered for him.

Big Turnaround

In the nine games that followed they have lost just twice – a surprise home defeat by Montreal and a narrow 3-2 defeat in Philadelphia – and crucially have won six times, including impressive wins over Atlanta and Chicago. The goals have started flowing too with striker Brian White leading the way with five MLS goals, with Austrian midfielder Daniel Royer only just behind with four.

Our ➕1️⃣0️⃣ goal differential is second-best in @MLS.

By The Numbers, pres. by @NJLottery ➡️ https://t.co/wbz3h46BVD#HOUvRBNY | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/W9iKC3qC7P

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 2, 2019

Equally crucial is that the Red Bulls have 16 different players who have scored MLS goals for the team this season, meaning the goals are spread and can come from all areas of the pitch. The assists too come from all four quarters with 14 different players involved, although Royer easily leads the way with four. The Austrian is clearly a key player for Armas and for him to stay fit and healthy for the rest of the season is vital to their chances.

Don’t Rule Out the Red Bulls

So, if momentum is anything to go by, the Red Bulls have a great chance of going all the way this season. The roster looks ready for their more difficult games in the second half of the season, so they have some big challenges ahead, but after that stuttering start, they now look in good shape.

While Philadelphia leads the Eastern Conference, DC United are looking very ominous right now but a continuation of their form could see the Red Bulls push them all the way and +1200 is not to be dismissed.

Overall though, the Western Conference looks stronger, and we still expect the two big LA teams to be there or thereabouts in the final countdown.