Steve Starr
- BetOnline and Bovada have 2021 MLS Cup Odds for all 27 Major League Soccer clubs
- The MLS regular season begins the weekend of April 16-18
- Josef Martinez’s return to action could make Atlanta United (+2000) a surprise contender
Despite winning just one playoff contest in its three years in the league, Los Angeles FC (+500) is a slight favorite to win the 2021 MLS Cup over the defending champions in Columbus (+600) and the runner-up Seattle Sounders (+650).
This year, each club will play 34 games to try and secure one of 14 berths in the MLS Cup Playoffs. It will then take three more victories to secure a spot in Major League Soccer’s championship match on December 11.
Let’s examine the odds for every team with the MLS season set to begin this weekend. And be sure to check out our 2021 soccer betting guide here.
Odds to Win 2021 MLS Cup
 |  |
|
| Los Angeles FC | +500 | +400 |
| Columbus Crew | +600 | +550 |
| Seattle Sounders | +650 | +700 |
| Toronto FC | +850 | +900 |
| Philadelphia Union | +900 | +1200 |
| New York City FC | +1100 | +1200 |
| New England Revolution | +1600 | +2000 |
| Orlando City | +1600 | +1200 |
| Portland Timbers | +1600 | +2000 |
| Atlanta United | +2000 | +2000 |
| FC Dallas | +2000 | +2500 |
| LA Galaxy | +2000 | +2800 |
| Sporting Kansas City | +2000 | +3000 |
| New York Red Bulls | +2200 | +2500 |
| Minnesota United | +2500 | +2500 |
| Colorado Rapids | +2800 | +4000 |
| Inter Miami CF | +2800 | +2200 |
| Nashville SC | +3300 | +5000 |
| Chicago Fire | +4000 | +3300 |
| Austin FC | +5000 | +6600 |
| FC Cincinnati | +5000 | +5000 |
| Montreal Impact | +6600 | +6600 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | +6600 | +8000 |
| DC United | +8000 | +10000 |
| Real Salt Lake | +8000 | +8000 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | +8000 | +10000 |
| Houston Dynamo | +12500 | +12500 |
MLS Cup Contenders
Los Angeles FC (+500) enters the season at full strength after being without designated players Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez during last year’s postseason. A torn MCL limited him to just four starts in 2020, but Vera, the 2019 MVP, has an insane goal rate, finding the back of the net 52 times in just 66 career MLS matches.
His teammate Rossi isn’t too shabby himself, of course. The Uruguyan youngster will be looking to become the first Golden Boot repeat winner in league history this year.
.@11carlosV on his 2021 plans: “I will fight for the MVP again. Because if I think in that way it will be good for the team.” @LAFC https://t.co/lXvhcSKqI4
— Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) April 5, 2021
Opening a new stadium this season, the reigning MLS Cup champions in Columbus (+600) added depth and talent in the offseason. If midfielder Lucas Zelarayán plays at the same MLS Cup MVP level that saw him net two goals and five assists in four playoff games, the Crew will be hard to beat after acquiring the top free agent on the market in midfielder Kevin Molino.
Seattle (+650) is always a good bet, having reached four MLS Cup finals in four of the past five seasons. While it will be difficult to overcome the loss of Jordan Morris (torn ACL), the Sounders still have a strong core in Nicolás Lodeiro, Raúl Ruidíaz and 17-year-old midfielder Danny Leyva, who should take a step forward in 2021.
Best Longshots
Portland is available at a juicy +2000 at Bovada. The Timbers won last year’s MLS is Back Tournament and while they’re led by two aging legends in Diego Valeri and Diego Chara, neither the 34- or 35-year-old appear to be slowing down. Star winger Sebastián Blanco is also expected to be ready for the start of the year after tearing his ACL in 2020.
Atlanta United (+2000 at BetOnline) missed the playoffs last year, but don’t forget that 2018 MLS Golden Boot winner Josef Martinez tore his ACL in the club’s opening game. With new Argentinian coach Gabriel Heinze at the controls, the Five Stripes could surprise in 2021.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
