Another busy week of MLS action led to more changes at the top of the MLS top five power rankings. Toronto FC added another impressive victory to add to the best record in MLS and retake its spot at the top of the list. Meanwhile, there was another shakeup at the bottom with an improving contender leapfrogging its way past New York City FC in the fourth spot this week. Here is a look at the MLS top five power rankings according to the sports betting odds to win the MLS Cup.
1. Toronto FC
Last Week: 2
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +600
Sebastian Giovinco sent a message to the rest of the league ahead of the 2017 MLS All-Star Game with another brilliant performance in a 4-0 win over New York City FC. Giovinco scored twice in the victory and set an MLS record with his 10th-career direct free kick goal. Toronto FC is rolling right now with a 4-1-2 mark over its last seven games and has opened up a five-point lead ahead of the Chicago Fire at the top of the East division. It only makes sense that the defending East champions are the sports betting favorites to win it all this season.
2. FC Dallas
Last Week: 1
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +700
FC Dallas might not own the best record in the West but the sportsbooks still have them as the division’s most likely representative in this year’s MLS Cup. A deflected shot that ended up in the back of the FC Dallas net was followed by a questionable penalty that put them in an early hole and they never recovered in a shocking 4-0 loss to Vancouver. We will chalk that one up as an aberration with the expectation that FC Dallas will bounce back following the MLS All-Star break.
3. Chicago Fire
Last Week: 3
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +900
Chicago hit a wall with a 3-2 loss to Sporting Kansas City that added to the disparity between their home and road records this season. The Fire is now 9-0-1 at home compared to 2-5-4 on the road following back-to-back defeats away from the Windy City. Chicago still owns the second-best record in the MLS. However, if they can’t find a way to win on the road it could mean little come playoff time.
4. Sporting Kansas City
Last Week: 4
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +1000
Sporting Kansas City extended its undefeated run to eight games with an impressive 3-2 win over the Fire. SKC is still undefeated at home with seven wins and four draws in 11 contests in front of its fans. Meanwhile, consistency has been the key to the Wizards climbing to top spot in the West division – two points up on FC Dallas. Sporting Kansas City can no longer be overlooked as a legitimate contender in the West.
Sporting KC enters the week in first place in the Western Conference on the strength of their impeccable defense. They have allowed just 17 goals this season, which is the best number of any team in the MLS. No other team has allowed less than 22 markers to date this season.
5. New York City FC
Last Week: 4
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +1000
It seems unfair that a draw for Atlanta United against a playoff contender in Orlando City SC would bump them off this list. That is especially true when you consider that they have just one loss since June 10th. However, Sporting Kansas City leapfrogged both Atlanta and New York City FC in the power rankings and a tough loss to TFC wasn’t enough to knock the third place team in the East division completely off of this list. New York City FC has still earned at least a point in seven of its last nine with a 5-2-2 record over that span. A tough stretch in their schedule has included a win over Chicago and a draw and loss to TFC. NYCFC is a capable contender in the East division and should bounce back with another tough challenge against the rival New York Red Bulls up next on the slate.
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