MLS Cup Betting: New York Red Bulls favourites for first trophy but value lies in Western Conference

New York Red Bulls are 5/1 (6.0) favourites with bet365 to win the 2019 MLS Cup ahead of the new season beginning on Saturday March 2.

Since the inaugural year of MLS back in 1996, the Red Bulls have reached the playoffs an unprecedented 19 times but are yet to win the showpiece event, reaching the finale only once.

Chris Armas’ men won the Supporters’ Shield – awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season – last season for the third time in the last seven years, and star striker Bradley Wright-Phillips is the eighth-top goalscorer in MLS history.

Last season’s champions Atlanta United are 6/1 (7.0) to win back-to-back titles but must do so without Miguel Almiron, who was signed by Newcastle United for a reported £20 million ($27m) in January.

The Five Stripes, who are in just their third season of MLS, have already struggled in life post-Almiron, losing 3-1 in the Champions League to struggling Costa Rican outfit Herediano.

Also at 6/1 (7.0) are Los Angeles Galaxy, who have retained the services of Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the upcoming season after the Swede scored 22 goals in just 27 appearances last year.

Despite that, the California club missed last season’s play-offs and will need to improve on a defence which conceded 66 goals if they are to have a shot at winning the MLS Cup for a sixth time.

Neighbours Los Angeles FC had contrasting fortunes in their debut season last term, finishing third in the Western Conference before crashing out in the first round of the play-offs.

LAFC are 8/1 (9.0) to win the MLS Cup and could represent excellent value, considering how well Bob Bradley equipped his team in the latter stages of the campaign, recording six wins and three draws in their final 11 games.

bet365 offer 9/1 (10.0) about New York City FC lifting the cup for the first time whilst Seattle Sounders – who have never missed the playoffs since joining the league in 2009 – are 10/1 (11.0).

Last season’s runners up Portland Timbers are 12/1 (13.0) and Sporting Kansas City are the same price, with the latter certainly good value for an outside bet.

Peter Vermes’ well-drilled side having made the play-offs in each of the last eight seasons and came top of the Western Conference last term despite not having a single player named in the MLS Best XI, and could go under the radar again in 2019.

Sporting Kansas City to win MLS Cup at 12/1 (13.0) for a 1pt stake at bet365