Major League Soccer is heading into its 26th round of games, but the story is the same as it has been since the 10th round. Toronto FC is the class of MLS and everyone is hoping that they slip up. They have a whopping 56 points so far this season in 27 games, which shows just how efficient they’ve been. Only one other team in the entire league has more than 42 points, which is NYC FC, who have 47. What’s been most impressive about TFC is their offense, which has poured in 55 goals so far – an average of better than two per game.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the latest power rankings and see how the odds makers view the teams.
1. Toronto FC
MLS Cup Odds: +333
Sebastian Giovinco scored twice and Jozy Altidore netted another as Toronto FC won 3-1 on the road against the Montreal Impact, and there is talk about this being the best team to ever play in MLS. However, no matter how many points they get, Toronto FC has to win the MLS Cup to crown themselves after last year’s loss to Seattle. Toronto’s next game isn’t until September 9th, when they play host to the San Jose Earthquakes.
2. New York City FC
MLS Cup Odds: +700
Maximiliano Morelaz opened the scoring, but NYCFC couldn’t hold on to the lead and ended up with a 1-1 away draw against the New York Red Bulls. They’re now nine points behind Toronto FC in the Eastern Conference, which would be good enough to lead the Western Conference, but they’re chasing a juggernaut. NYCFC’s next match comes on September 6th, when they host Sporting Kansas City.
3. Seattle Sounders FC
MLS Cup Odds: +1000
Cristian Roldan netted in the 18th minute, but Seattle allowed an injury-time penalty in the first half and ended up with a 1-1 home draw with the Portland Timbers. Seattle still leads in the Western Conference with 42 points, but like their rivals from Portland, they’re pretty bad on the road, where they have three wins and six losses in 14 games. Seattle doesn’t play again until September 10th, when they host the LA Galaxy.
4. Portland Timbers
MLS Cup Odds: +1000
Diego Valeri scored from the spot to give Portland a much-needed point on the road against their rivals from Seattle, and they’re now a point behind the Sounders in the Western Conference. They have seven road losses, which is hurting their chances, but they’re hanging in there right now. Portland will visit NYCFC on September 9th as they try to keep up with Seattle in the Western Conference, as well as stay ahead of Sporting Kansas City.
5. Sporting Kansas City
MLS Cup Odds: +1000
Sporting Kansas City got goals from Diego Rubio and Gerso for a 2-0 home win over FC Dallas in their last game, and they were supposed to play at Houston last weekend. However, Hurricane Harvey came through and the match was cancelled as the city obviously had bigger things to worry about. Sporting Kansas City is still third in the Western Conference, sitting one point behind Portland, and they’re one of three teams in MLS who are unbeaten at home: Toronto and Houston are the other two. Their next game comes on September 6th, when they visit NYCFC on September 6th.
6. New York Red Bulls
MLS Cup Odds: +1200
Gonzalo Veron’s penalty gave the Red Bulls a 1-1 home draw with NYCFC in their last match, and they’re now in fifth place, just three points in playoff safety ahead of Montreal. Struggling on the road has been a problem as the Red Bulls have eight road losses, and their 38 goals scored is the lowest among the six Eastern Conference teams in the playoffs right now. They’ll head to FC Dallas for their next match.
7. Houston Dynamo
MLS Cup Odds: +1200
Erick Torres scored a pair of goals to bring Houston back from a 3-1 deficit to get a point in a 3-3 draw in Dallas, while Vicente Sanchez opened the scoring. Then their next game with Sporting Kansas City was cancelled due to the hurricane, so Houston doesn’t play until September 9th, when they host the Colorado Rapids. That game could also be cancelled as the devastating effects of Harvey will be felt for a while, and soccer isn’t that important right now compared to the bigger picture.
8. Vancouver Whitecaps
MLS Cup Odds: +1400
The Whitecaps needed an own-goal and a single from Brek Shea to hold for a 2-1 win in Orlando City, and they’re on 38 points, which is fourth in the standings, just ahead of Houston. Vancouver is another MLS team that has their issues on the road as they have six away losses, but they also have five wins. Still, they need to do a little better as they come down the stretch if they want to stay in the playoff picture. The Whitecaps will host Real Salt Lake on September 9th.
9. FC Dallas
MLS Cup Odds: +1400
Dallas is seventh in the Western Conference, just on the outside looking in after a 2-1 loss at Columbus, where Walker Zimmerman scored. However, it was losing the lead to Houston at home that Dallas might look back on and rue if they miss the playoffs; there was three points sitting there waiting to be picked up, and Dallas could only manage one. But Dallas is still in the hunt with the stretch run coming, and they’ll be on the road to take on Atlanta United FC in their next match on September 10th.
10. Columbus Crew
MLS Cup Odds: +1600
The Crew bring up the rear as they are third in the Eastern Conference after their 2-1 win at home over Dallas, getting goals from Ola Kamara and Jonathan Mensah. As far as home and away form goes, Columbus has one of the worst disparities in the league as they have a +14 goal difference at home, but -14 on the road. As far as the playoff picture goes as well, they’re only six points ahead of seventh-place Montreal, so the Crew can’t afford to get comfortable, even though they’re in third place. They’ll home on September 10th to host Sporting Kansas City.
If you’re looking to bet on soccer, BetDSI has you covered with all of the up-to-the-minute betting lines on La Liga, EPL and all of the other major leagues. Click here for the lines.
