The MLS All-Star break came and went in Chicago this past week with Real Madrid coming out on top in penalty kicks. The regular season action got back underway on Saturday with all 22 teams making their return to the pitch. While the order of the MLS top five power rankings didn’t change much, the sportsbooks did significantly tweak the odds to reaffirm the position of one team as the obvious favorite to win it all this season. Here is a look at the MLS top five power rankings according to the updated sports betting odds to win the MLS Cup.
1. Toronto FC
Last Week: 1
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +700
Toronto FC stands alone as the sports betting favorite to win an MLS championship this season at +700 odds. TFC returned to action on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against D.C. United, which stretched its undefeated streak to five in a row. Toronto is now 4-1-3 over its last eight games overall and is three points clear of the Chicago Fire at the top of the MLS standings. As long as they stay healthy, TFC will be tough to stop in the MLS this season.
2. Chicago Fire
Last Week: 3
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +1000
The Fire were trended in the wrong direction heading in to the All-Star break after back-to-back losses. However, they bounced back in a big way on Saturday with a 4-1 win over New England. Chicago improved to 12-5-5 – moving three points back of first-place Toronto while holding a game in hand. The Fire has what it takes to challenge for the best record in the MLS this season. Chicago will visit Columbus and Montreal before hosting TFC in a potential first-place showdown on August 19th.
3. FC Dallas
Last Week: 2
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +1000
FC Dallas drops to the No. 3 spot on this list and they are at risk of falling even further unless they turn things around in a hurry. After limping in to the All-Star break following a 4-0 loss to Vancouver, FC Dallas looked terrible in a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Fatigue might play a role after FC Dallas had posted a 4-1-3 stretch before dropping back-to-back losses. At 34 points, FC Dallas is now in a four-way tie for second place in the Western Conference standings.
4. Sporting Kansas City
Last Week: 4
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +1000
Sporting KC settled for a 1-1 draw with Atlanta on Sunday but still managed to extend its undefeated run. SKC is now 3-0-6 over its last nine games. The Wizards have opened up a three-point lead atop the Western Conference but they have a ton of company with four teams within three points of them at the top of the standings. Sporting KC has done an excellent job staying undefeated but must start to win games if it is going to finish first in the Western Conference this season.
They currently hold the top spot with a three-point buffer over Houston, Dallas, Seattle and Portland. Each of those teams is on 34 points. Sporting KC has been phenomenal at the defensive end as they’ve allowed just 18 goals on the season. That’s by far the fewest in the MLS as not other team in either conference has allowed less than 23 tallies.
5. New York City FC
Last Week: 5
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +1000
New York City FC limped in to the All-Star break on the heels of an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Toronto FC. However, they bounced back with a 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls on Sunday to improve to 6-2-1 over their last nine games. NYCFC has the firepower to contend with the top teams in the Eastern Conference but they need to maximize their point situation in order to challenge for top spot and home advantage for the playoffs. New York City FC takes the fifth spot on this list for the second consecutive week and they are the last of four different teams that the sportsbooks have listed at +1000 to win an MLS title this season right now. They are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference with 40 points.
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