New York Red Bulls & Seattle Sounders Both See MLS Cup Odds Worsen to 21-1 Entering MLS Week 25
- Runaway Western leaders Los Angeles FC wide favorites
- Reigning champions Atlanta United lead in the East
- Red Bulls and Sounders have hit stuttering form
There are tight battles developing to squeeze into the MLS Playoffs with pre-season fancies New York Red Bulls and Seattle Sounders looking over their shoulders.
After both teams hit runs of stuttering form in recent weeks, their chances of winning the MLS Cup are being down-graded by the bookmakers.
2019 MLS Cup Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles FC | +150 |
| Atlanta United FC | +800 |
| New York City FC | +900 |
| Philadelphia Union | +1200 |
| DC United | +1400 |
| LA Galaxy | +1600 |
| New York Red Bulls | +1600 |
| Minnesota United FC | +1800 |
| Seattle Sounders | +2000 |
| New England Revolution | +2500 |
*Odds taken at 2019/08/20.
New York (W11-T5-L10) of the Eastern Conference are now priced at an across-the-board average of +2100 to win the competition outright in November after drifting from +1500 last month.
Seattle (W11-T7-L8) of the Western Conference have suffered the same shift from +1500 to +2100.
Fifth-Placed After Form Slumps
Both are placed fifth in their relative standings after falling from third in recent weeks.
The MLS Cup odds for the Bulls are rated at +1600 with Seattle at +2000.
Those prices are tempting for a calculated risk. But the powerful Los Angeles FC are rightly the favorites at +150 for a triumph in their second season in MLS. They are followed by last year’s champions Atlanta United – in their third season – at a good value of +800 and New York City FC at +900.
The Revolution secured a 1-1 draw with the host New York Red Bulls on Saturday. https://t.co/Ua3aZKuoaH
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) August 18, 2019
New York Red Bulls have won only twice in six matches since a stand-out 2-1 defeat of Hudson River Derby rivals New York City on July 14, when they were in third place in the East.
Sounders were third in the West after a 1-0 victory at Houston Dynamo but have failed to win four fixtures since then.
The leading seven sides in each conference qualify for the post-season playoffs.
The leading teams in each conference receive a bye into the second round with the remainder playing six knock-out ties to create a final eight.
LAFC are favored way ahead of Red Bulls and Seattle with good reason.
They have been dominant all season and lead the Western Conference by a whopping 16 points from second-placed Minnesota United.
Western Leaders Four-Game Streak
They are currently on a four-game winning sequence.
This included a 4-2 defeat of Red Bulls on August 12. Their strength was also indicated by the 4-3 defeat of Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta on July 27.
He won't stop! ?
That's 11 straight MLS games with a goal for @JosefMartinez17. #PORvATL pic.twitter.com/P2oYF2ejlP
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 19, 2019
Atlanta lead in the East but only on goal difference from Philadelphia Union. Both have 45 points.
Red Bulls are seven points behind in fifth which suggests they will not be among the most serious challengers if they make the playoff shakedown.
But they were on a high after climbing from sixth place into third after their home win against New York City.
The frustrations affecting New York’s season were summed up by they fact they forced 11 corners to New England’s one – but were still held to a draw.
However, they have stumbled since. They were beaten 3-1 at Toronto in the following game. But since a 2-0 win at home against Toronto on August 3, they have been beaten at LAFC and then held 1-1 – by New England Revolution in their most recent fixture.
The frustrations affecting New York’s season were summed up by they fact they forced 11 corners to New England’s one – but were still held to a draw.
They face a critical period in the forthcoming battle which will also offer a pointer to their strength should they make the playoffs.
They travel to play DC United on Wednesday, August 21, at 8:00 pm EST. Then they are away from home against New York City on Saturday, August 24, at 7:00 pm EST.
Looks like some new #MLS scarves will be debuted today pic.twitter.com/X99BmTJXeE
— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) August 20, 2019
Draw Boost at Galaxy
Seattle drew 2-2 at Los Angeles Galaxy in their most recent fixture. It was a welcome lift after a 3-0 defeat in Real Salt Lake the previous time out.
Despite their downturn in form, they are only two points behind second-placed Minnesota in the West – suggesting they might be stronger outsiders for the MLS Cup than Red Bulls.
Sounders also drew 3-3 at home with New England Revolution during the current four-game winless streak after being defeated 3-2 at home against Sporting Kansas City
They travel to face local rivals Portland Timbers – seventh in the Western Conference on Friday, August 23, at 10:00 pm EST.
The playoff battle is tight in both conferences. Red Bulls are only four points ahead of eighth-placed Orlando City.
Among the four teams below Red Bulls in the standings – New England, Montreal, Orlndo and Toronto — only Orlando have recorded a victory in the most recent three fixtures.
Seattle are only three points clear of FC Dallas in the West.
However, among the four teams below Red Bulls in the standings – New England, Montreal, Orlando and Toronto — only Orlando has recorded a victory in the most recent three fixtures.
Among the four sides directly below Seattle in the West – San Jose, Portland, Dallas and Houston – it is Portland who might overhaul Seattle after two wins in the last three games.
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
