The reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders are listed as the third-favorite to defend their title at odds of +700
The last team to win back-to-back MLS Cups was the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011-12. Can Seattle get it done?
Read on to see which team you should be backing to win the 2020 title
The MLS Cup is a championship soccer game held annually in North America in which the Seattle Sounders face Toronto FC.
Okay, so that’s not exactly how it works. But it’s exactly how it’s worked out in three of the past four MLS seasons.
Seattle and Toronto clashed for the third time in four years in the 2019 final, won 3-1 by the Sounders. It was Seattle’s second title in four years.
Despite this run of recent success, online sportsbooks aren’t backing the Sounders to get it done again. Seattle is listed third in the 2020 MLS Cup odds at +700.
2020 MLS Cup Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles FC | +350 |
| Atlanta United | +550 |
| Seattle Sounders | +700 |
| New York City FC | +800 |
| Toronto FC | +900 |
| Los Angeles Galaxy | +1000 |
| New York Red Bulls | +1600 |
| Minnesota United | +1800 |
| Real Salt Lake | +1800 |
| Montreal Impact | +2000 |
| DC United | +2500 |
| New England Revolution | +2500 |
| Philadelphia Union | +2500 |
| Portland Timbers | +2800 |
| Columbus Crew | +3300 |
| Inter Miami CF | +3300 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | +3300 |
| Sporting Kansas City | +3300 |
Odds taken Feb. 25.
Los Angeles FC, last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners as regular-season champions, are +350 chalk to lift the MLS Cup.
Sounders a Consistent Presence
Since joining the league as an expansion franchise in 2009, Seattle hasn’t finished outside the top four in the Western Conference. The Sounders have never failed to reach the conference semifinals.
Last season, the Sounders were fourth overall the regular season at 16-10-8. They were just a plus-three in goal differential. Ten teams netted more goals than Seattle, and 10 teams allowed fewer goals than the Sounders. But they were a dominant 10-2-4 at home.
No Seattle player finished among the top 10 in goals. Not one Sounders player was named to the postseason MLS Best 11.
Seattle Undergoes Defensive Shakeup
The Sounders maintain the core of their attack and midfield, plus the addition of new DP midfielder Joao Paulo from Brazil.
However, four defenders from Seattle’s championship side departed during the offseason. They include Roman Torres, Brad Smith, Chad Marshall and Kim Kee-hee. In their place is Colombian Yeiman Gomez Andrade signed on a TAM contract from Union de Santa Fe in Argentina. Shane O’Neill has also been signed from Orlando City.
Double Dipping Is Rare
Since the MLS was born in 1996, just three sides successfully defended their title.
DC United did it in 1996-97, the Houston Dynamo in 2006-07 and the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011-12.
Seattle reached the 2017 MLS Cup final as champs but lost to Toronto FC.
Seek Out a Value Bet
Historically, MLS Cup winners come from off the pace. A #1 seed has captured the title just once in the past eight seasons.
It’s wise then to look down the board for a value bet. This year, that side is New York City FC.
They bring back their top 13 players from last season, and continuity is vital. They actually bring back the most returning minutes of starters of any team in the league. This potent attacking side that scored the second-most goals last year (63) is also being linked to adding Uruguayan U23 international midfielder Nicolás Acevedo to their lineup.
Pick: New York City FC (+800)