Whether it is the Cascadia Cup, El Trafico, or the Hudson River Derby, Major League Soccer has its fair share of riveting rivalries.
Fans and players alike are always geared up for these local rivalry games, which mean much more than the three points up for grabs.
From July 8-17, MLS foes across the country will battle it out as part of Heineken Rivalry Week. With the summer transfer window in full swing, this week of rivalry games will also be the first significant opportunity for many clubs to debut their newest signings.
Teams integrating new players into their squads for these high-profile contests will create plenty of betting opportunities to take advantage of in the market.
Here are our MLS best bets for Rivalry Week.
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LAFC vs LA Galaxy Best Bet
➕ LA Galaxy +0.5 (-105) at BetMGM Sportsbook
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In the first rivalry week game, LAFC will host the LA Galaxy in El Trafico.
This rivalry debuted in March 2018, and what was then one of the most anticipated games in MLS history turned into one of its most iconic matches, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring twice late as the Galaxy overcame a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3.
That set the tone as the Galaxy have had the better of LAFC, winning six of 12 MLS regular-season meetings with five draws mixed in. LAFC failed to win any of their first five games against their cross-town rival but finally got over the hump in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 5-3 win in the Western Conference Semifinals.
This time around, all signs point to an LAFC win. The home side welcomes accomplished internationals Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini to a squad already atop the Western Conference.
In addition, Carlos Vela has bounced back after a down season, and USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta has helped anchor the midfield after joining from Colorado in January.
LAFC is a substantial home favorite, but they have again had trouble against their biggest rival this season. Javier Hernandez scored in a 2-1 Galaxy win in April, and LA followed it up by knocking LAFC out of the U.S. Open Cup a month later.
The Galaxy come in with momentum after a 4-0 victory over Montreal, and even though they are on the road, I am backing them to get at least a point in the latest edition of El Trafico.
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers Best Bet
➕ Seattle Sounders (-120) at BetMGM Sportsbook
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Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that the Western Conference practically runs through the Pacific Northwest. Portland and Seattle have represented the West in MLS Cup each of the past seven years, winning the title on three occasions.
This year, things have been a little different. The Timbers are currently outside the playoffs, while the Sounders sit just inside the West’s top seven spots.
The issue for Portland has been its defense. The Timbers have scored the third-most goals in the conference (29) but have also conceded just as many. On the other side, Seattle owns one of the best defensive records in the West and has conceded just three goals in its last five matches.
That should be the difference in a highly entertaining Cascadia Cup clash.
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas Best Bets
➕ Draw (+240) at BetMGM Sportsbook
The much-anticipated debut of El Tri midfielder Hector Herrera could come when the Houston Dynamo host FC Dallas in the Texas Derby on Saturday, July 9.
Herrera, who spent the last three years at Atletico Madrid, joins as a designated player and will look to help Houston climb the table in the campaign's second half as the Dynamo currently sit outside the playoffs.
In this Texas-sized rivalry clash, Houston will have to slow down Dallas and USMNT forward Jesus Ferreira, who enters the matchweek tied at the top of the Golden Boot race with 10 tallies this season.
FCD has the playmakers in Paxton Pomkayal and Paul Arriola to supply Ferreira and should be able to grab a goal or two away from home. However, two of the last four meetings between these two sides have ended in a draw.
This has me thinking about a bonus longshot bet.
➕ Correct Score 2:2 (+1100) at BetMGM Sportsbook
I could sprinkle a little on a 2-2 exact scoreline.
Dallas played to a 2-2 away draw with another Texas rival, Austin FC, late in June and Houston has conceded exactly two goals in three of its last four games.
I think the home side will get a boost from Herrera’s arrival, which could make for a thrilling back-and-forth contest. Don’t go crazy on this one, but it’s worth a shot at these odds.