The 2022 Major League Soccer season kicked off over the weekend, welcoming the return of the premier source for soccer in America.
Javier Hernandez snagged the headlines for the Los Angeles Galaxy with a 90th-minute winner over reigning champions New York City F.C. Last year’s points leaders, New England Revolution, were capped at a 2-2 draw against the Portland Timbers.
As the teams clamor to get ready for the rest of the campaign, here is a look at which teams have the best betting odds to win the 2022 MLS Championship.
New England Revolution (+550)
Last year’s table-toppers claimed 71 points during the regular season but ultimately fell to New York City F.C. on penalties in their first action of the playoffs.
Sebastian Lletget and Brandon Bye scored in the opener for the Revs, who were in a completely end-to-end matchup with Portland the entire night.
Despite the draw, New England has tons of talent and just showed their dominance over a long stretch last season, so an early playoff exit does not detract from their likelihood to win the coming championship.
Los Angeles FC (+600)
LAFC is second in the pecking order for the 2022 MLS champion despite finishing ninth in the Western Conference last season and ultimately missing out on the playoffs.
L.A. has an ace in the hole in the form of striker Carlos Vela. The experienced forward has shown an ability to bag goals in multiple leagues and countries, including an opening-week hat trick against the Colorado Rapids.
L.A. will not have to contend with the Revs in the regular season, which should also prove to be a bonus.
Seattle Sounders (+800)
Once best known for having the coolest uniforms in all of world soccer, the Sounders now check-in with +800 odds to win the 2022 Championship after finishing second in the West and one point off of the leading Colorado Rapids last season.
Seattle has an elite defense and allowed the fewest goals in the MLS last season, alongside a Nashville team that they lost 1-0 to during the opening weekend.
Do not let the lack of point thus far detract from the team’s overall ability. Especially with a goal man in Raul Ruidaz up top and Joao Paulo providing the assists.
New York City F.C. (+1000)
Setting aside all knowledge of the MLS or even soccer in general, it is not very often that the opportunity to take the reigning champions for +1000 odds, the fourth-best on the list, comes around.
New York finished fourth in the Eastern Conference last season before their run through the playoffs culminated with a championship victory over the Portland Timbers, ending 4-2 on penalties after the teams were knotted at 1-1 through extra time.
New York has two things that most other teams do not. One is a 20-plus goal scorer (Valentin Castellanos), and the other is a 10-plus assist man (Maxi Moralez). They are an imposing threat against any team that they line up against.
Sporting Kansas City (+1400)
Sporting Kansas City had a would-be comeback thwarted by Atlanta United F.C. during a 3-1 loss over the kick-off weekend, despite the losers enjoying more possession and attempts during the 90 minutes.
K.C. finished third in the West last season with 58 points, three behind the leading Rapids, ultimately falling to the underdog Real Salt Lake in the Conference Semifinals.
Sporting has two of the premier goalscorers in the MLS — Dániel Sallói and Johnny Russell — leading its line, both of which played major roles in K.C. leading the West in goal scoring last season.
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