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The 2025 MLS Season
The 2025 Major League Soccer season is still to come, but for now we congratulate the LA Galaxy on a hard-fought win to make it their 6th – setting an MLS record!
As for the teams to watch out for, Inter Miami is the top contender to defend their title–and all major bookies have them as the number one pick. However, the Philadelphia Union, are also strong contenders, with odds of +600 to win the cup. Could these two teams face off in 2025 for another epic MLS final?
When it comes to the 2025 MLS MVP award, Lionel Messi of Inter Miami might be the one to keep an eye on. He was a runner-up last year after scoring an impressive number of goals last season, and now he’s the heavy favorite to take home the honors this year.
Gone are the days when LA Galaxy dominated the league. Nowadays, there are an array of teams that could go on to clinch the MLS Cup — teams like Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati, New York City, and New York City Red Bulls. With so many MLS matches and so many great teams, the MLS futures odds are well worth a look at.
The focus has always been on European soccer, but now the USA has its own soccer matches to wager on. From Orlando City to Kansas City, there is a wealth of soccer action to enjoy. So without further adieu, Let’s get to grips with how to play!
How to Bet on MLS Moneyline
In mainstream sports like the NBA and NFL, one team will lose, and one team will win. Meaning you have a 50% chance of predicting the outcome correctly.
In MLS, there can be winners and losers, but an additional outcome of a draw decreases your chances of success to 33.3%. Be aware that before you even start to bet, your chances of succeeding have been reduced by 17%.
Take a look at what moneyline odds for an MLS game might look like:
| MLS Club | Moneyline |
| Seattle Sounders FC | -125 |
| Portland Timbers | +210 |
| DRAW | +250 |
From the example above, you can see three possible outcomes; either Seattle wins, Portland wins, or the game ends in a tie. To win $100 on Seattle you would have to bet $125, whereas placing a $100 bet on Portland nets $210, and the draw nets $250.
Best Time to Bet on MLS
MLS odds are usually released one week prior to the games. Much like the NFL, this gives you time to research any potential injuries and to hear how practices leading up to the game are going. That being said, there are two optimal times to place an MLS bet.
If you plan on betting on the favorite, it’s best to place your wager as soon as the lines open. The thinking behind this is that the betting public generally supports favorites, so the moneyline will shift accordingly. For instance, using the table above, if everyone were to bet on the Seattle Sounders then -125 will become -135. Getting this bet placed for -125 has just saved you $10 and you’ve also reduced the juice.
On the flip side, if you were interested in backing Portland for this game, +210 could become +220. Maybe it stays at +210, but there isn’t a rush to hurry to the betting window for an underdog.
The second ideal time to bet on MLS is one hour before kickoff as that is when clubs post the starting lineups and formations. This will allow you to see which players are involved in the game.
How to Read MLS Odds: Explained
If you seek more than moneyline betting then the MLS has you covered. MLS offers a wide variety of betting from over/under goals scored, ATS (against the spread), totals, parlays, props, and in-game live-betting. Let’s break each one down to avoid any confusion.
Future Bets on MLS
The MLS season is structured like other North American sports as opposed to MLS being structured like European soccer leagues. In all soccer leagues, you can bet on the season’s champion. For leagues in Europe, for example, the Premier League, you would be predicting the club with the most points after 38 games.
In the MLS, after the 34 regular-season games are played, 18 clubs compete in a playoff where the winner is declared the champion. The MLS Cup Winner is how this is classified and advertised in sportsbooks.
That is a huge difference as playoff soccer is different than regular-season soccer in terms of intensity and also the “unknowns”(no different than the NFL). The MLS Cup winner is usually decided in early November. As with all future bets that is a long time to tie up your capital.
Additionally, some sportsbooks might offer a future bet on the winner of the Golden Boot (most goals scored by a player) or MLS MVP, so be aware of those as well.
How Are Bets Scored in MLS
MLS bets are scored on the result after regulation (full) time, 90 minutes plus injury time, is complete. Sportsbooks will have “FULL TIME” advertised most commonly.
Say a Seattle vs Portland game goes to extra time and then Seattle wins. If you had bet on Seattle to win, you do not win your bet. After 90 minutes, aka FULL TIME, the game was tied so the DRAW bet would win.
A bettor must be aware that they are only betting on 90 minutes. If a match is suspended then usually that bet is canceled, but always read the sportsbook’s rules prior to placing a bet.
Differences Between MLS and European Leagues
A big difference between Major League Soccer and European soccer leagues is the travel requirements. The longest distance traveled in the MLS is from Vancouver to Orlando at 2,624 miles. In the Premier League, Newcastle to Bournemouth is the longest at a significantly shorter 353 miles. The less time big, tall, and strong athletes have to sit scrunched up on a plane the better. The recovery time between jet lag and the physical discomfort from a plane can easily take a toll.
League survival is the second major difference. While clubs at the top of the standings in each respective league are all fighting for something, it’s the bottom of the standings that is dramatically different. The worst clubs at the end of an MLS season don’t have to worry about their league status for the following season.
In Europe, clubs that finish in the bottom few positions get dropped to a lower-level league. Good MLS clubs might be able to pick up easier wins playing against the worst in the league.
Though the quality of players is a recognized difference between MLS and Euro leagues, it’s one disparity that can be dismissed. Each and every position in MLS is considered weaker than European leagues, or at least the European leagues you’re already betting on.
MLS Betting Tips and Strategy
To be a successful bettor you need a betting strategy. Formulating a system and sticking to it is vital for long-term success. MLS requires the same research, attention, and detail as other sports in finding daily value. While there are several factors to consider, there are a few that are baseline requirements. Below we’ve listed a range of MLS bet tips to help our readers to maximize their opportunities to profit in the market.
MLS Live Betting
Live betting and the MLS go great together. While some sports are fast-paced and willow for an extremely exciting live betting experience, soccer allows for a contemplative, fun, and educational experience.
With the relatively slow pace of a soccer game, you will have plenty of time to reevaluate the changing odds. You can use this opportunity not only to make the MLS best bets today but also to begin to understand how soccer odds work in general.
One of the biggest risks of live betting is getting caught up in the moment and making a rushed decision. Soccer is a safer place to try live betting. Plus there are lots of great bet types you can make during live MLS soccer betting:
- Outright winner
- Spreads
- Over/unders
- Props
It’s Time to Win
Now you can say you’re ready for the upcoming MLS season. With a better understanding and insight on placing wagers not only can the season be enjoyable, but also potentially profitable! Be sure to check out our other guides that will further help your betting journey. As for now, sit back and enjoy what will be another great MLS season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions bettors like you have when researching which sportsbook to join.
The legality of betting on MLS depends on your location. In many regions, sports betting, including MLS, is legal and regulated. However, it’s essential to be aware of your local laws regarding online gambling. Ensure you use licensed and authorized sportsbooks to comply with legal requirements and enjoy a secure betting environment.
You can bet on MLS through various online sportsbooks. Reputable platforms like Bovada, BetOnline, MyBookie, and others offer a wide range of MLS betting markets. Ensure you choose a licensed and regulated sportsbook with a good reputation to ensure a safe and secure betting experience.
The best MLS bets for any given day depend on current team form, player availability, and other relevant factors. Popular MLS bets include match outcomes (win, lose, draw), over/under goal totals, and player-specific bets. To find the best MLS bets today, consider researching recent team performances, injury updates, and expert analyses to make informed betting decisions.
MLS betting odds represent the probability of a specific outcome in a match. Odds are typically presented in three formats: fractional, decimal, and moneyline. Understanding odds is essential for calculating potential winnings. The favorite has lower odds, indicating a higher probability of winning, while the underdog has higher odds, suggesting a lower likelihood of success.
A safe MLS bet refers to a wager with a higher likelihood of success, minimizing potential risks. This often involves betting on favorites, considering team form, player injuries, and other relevant factors. Research and analysis play a crucial role in identifying safe MLS bets, allowing bettors to make informed decisions.
Offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie offer advantages such as broader MLS betting options, competitive odds, and diverse promotions. These platforms often provide a user-friendly experience with a wide range of betting markets.
State regulations can impact the availability and nature of MLS betting bonuses on offshore sportsbooks. While these platforms may offer enticing bonuses, users should be aware that state-specific regulations may influence the types and amounts of bonuses available in certain regions.
Popular MLS betting markets on platforms such as Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie include match outcomes, player-specific bets, prop bets, and various in-play options. These sportsbooks strive to provide a comprehensive selection to cater to diverse betting preferences.
Yes, you can participate in MLS betting through offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, or MyBookie. These platforms offer MLS betting options, providing users with a variety of markets, competitive odds, and convenient betting interfaces.
The legality of MLS betting in California, Florida, and Texas using offshore sportsbooks depends on the specific state regulations. Users should be aware of the legal landscape in their respective states and adhere to local laws regarding online sports betting. It’s advisable to stay informed about any legal developments in these regions.
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