MLS Betting Advice: Battle of the Two Biggest Markets
Article By
Last Updated: 
Some of the biggest games of the season take place this weekend in the MLS, and it makes for an interesting few days of soccer betting.
Both conferences could have a new leader, and as the first-place side in the Western table and the second-placed team from the Eastern Conference meet, anything could happen this weekend.
We’ll run through our MLS picks for this week and the best team and player of the week from last week’s action.
Game of the Week
LAFC -110 at New York Red Bulls +270, Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
An Eastern Conference giant travels west where the Western Conference leaders, Los Angeles FC, awaits.
The New York Red Bulls will make the 2,786-mile journey three days after registering their best result of the season, as they defeated city rivals, New York City FC, in the U.S Open Cup.
The Red Bulls put on a stunning display in the Hudson River Derby with goals from Lewis Morgan, Luquinhas, and Omir Fernandez. What's more, the Red Bulls defeated Toronto FC in the MLS last time out, which has now put them just one point behind NYCFC.
LAFC remains at the top of the West after a 1-1 tie with Seattle Sounders, and it has lost just three times in 15 MLS games, scoring more goals (30) than any other team across both divisions.
LAFC to beat Toronto and both teams to score is +240 with BetMGM.
Best Bet of the Week
Real Salt Lake -130 at Columbus Crew +320, Saturday, 9 p.m. ET
Real Salt Lake has been on fire this season, and is only two points behind LAFC in the race for the Western Conference title.
It welcomes the Columbus Crew to the Rio Tinto Stadium, with RSL the clear favorites to get another three points in the bag.
Pablo Mastroeni's side has not lost a game at home in the MLS this season, with their only defeat on home soil being in the U.S. Open Cup at the hands of Hailstorm.
Moreover, the past five games at home for RSL have seen it score 10 goals and concede only three, registering victories over Austin, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, and a draw with Toronto.
The Crew, however, have just one win in their past five games, as they defeated Atlanta United at the end of May. The Crew also lost to NYCFC and LAFC in the past five games, and each time they have played a side in the top four, they have lost quite easily.
RSL is +230 to win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 here.
Team of the Week Last Week
Sporting Kansas City
For all the progress Sporting Kansas City has made as a franchise in the past five years, it is experiencing one of the worst seasons on record this time.
Peter Vermes sees his side down in 12th place, four points behind the playoff spots, while also having played a game more than the two clubs below them, which means they could be bottom of the overall table if other results go against them.
However, despite the misery, they registered two fantastic results within five days. Kansas City beat Nashville 2-1 on the road, then smashed Union Omaha 6-0 in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.
It has been a terrible year for the franchise, but with a U.S. Open Cup semifinals to look forward to and a recent victory over the playoff hopefuls, Nashville, Kansas City has hit a bit of form once again.
Sporting KC is +350 to beat Seattle
Player of the Week Last Week
Luquinhas, New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls have made headlines this past week with two potential season-defining wins, and their star man, Luquinhas, led this.
The attacking midfielder has seamlessly adapted to life in the MLS, as he netted his fifth goal of the 2022 season in the 2-0 victory over Toronto last weekend. Then he added another to his impressive tally in the 3-0 win against NYCFC.
Luquinhas plays against LAFC this weekend, and he'll need to put everything on display against the Western Conference leaders.
Luquinhas is +400 to score first or last against LAFC.
Hardest Game to Call
Vancouver Whitecaps +150 at New England Revolution +155
The Vancouver Whitecaps have continued their march up the MLS table, defeating FC Dallas 2-0 in Texas in what was arguably their best result of the 2022 season.
What's more, the Whitecaps also beat York United to set up a Canadian Championship showdown in midweek.
Despite their positive form in recent games, they did lose 4-0 against Seattle two weeks ago.
At the same time, the New England Revolution have been rising in the ranks, as they are now on an unbeaten run spanning eight games in the MLS.
The Revs defeated Minnesota United last time out, and it sets up a challenging game to call here against Vancouver.
A tie in this game is +250 with BetMGM.
Throw Ins
These are some other bets worth a look on this week’s schedule:
- Taxiarchis Fountas to score and D.C. United to beat Nashville SC, +300 at BetMGM
- Portland Timbers to score first against Colorado Rapids, -120 at PointsBet
- Montreal Impact at Charlotte FC Under 0.5 goals, +1240 at FanDuel
- Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez to score first or last goal vs. Toronto FC, +240 at DraftKings
- Cincinnati FC Under 0.5 goals at halftime vs. Orlando City, -120 at Caesars.
Power Rankings
- LAFC
- Real Salt Lake
- Austin FC
- New York City FC
- New York Red Bulls
This Week’s Schedule with Moneylines (All Times Eastern)
Friday
FC Cincinnati (+130) at Orlando City SC (+180), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Seattle Sounders (-145) at Sporting KC (+350), 3 p.m.
D.C. United (+125) at Nashville SC (+200), 5 p.m.
CF Montreal (-115) at Charlotte FC (+285), 7:30 p.m.
Toronto FC (+190) at Atlanta United (+120), 7:30 p.m.
Houston Dynamo (+125) at Chicago Fire (+215), 8 p.m.
Inter Miami CF (+145) at Minnesota United (+175), 8 p.m.
Austin FC (+115) at FC Dallas (+210), 9 p.m.
Real Salt Lake (-130) at Columbus Crew (+320), 10 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes (+145) at LA Galaxy (+160), 10 p.m.
Portland Timbers (+115) at Colorado Rapids (+220), 10:30 p.m.
Sunday
LAFC (-110) at New York Red Bulls (+270), 3 p.m.
Philadelphia Union (+150) at New York City FC (+170), 6 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps (+150) at New England Revolution (+155), 8 p.m.
Be first to get our exclusive offers!
Join today to stay up to date on your states gambling news and offers.
Updated by
Last Updated:
