Week 19 of the MLS regular season included another shift in power at the very top. Toronto FC bounced back from its first loss since June 3rd with a convincing victory over Orlando City SC. That victory combined with the Chicago Fire’s 2-2 draw with Portland left the two teams tied at the top of the standings. Chicago still owns the best record in the MLS but some sportsbooks have TFC as the slight favorite in terms of the sports betting odds to win it all this season. Here is a look at the MLS Power Rankings heading in to Week 20 of the regular season.
1. Toronto FC
Last Week: –
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +700
Chicago hasn’t lost a game since April 29th and yet a number of sportsbooks still have Toronto FC listed as the outright favorites to win an MLS title this season. TFC did reach penalty kicks in the MLS Championship a year ago before falling to the Seattle Sounders. They have the talent, depth and experience to get back there this season. Sebastian Giovinco remains the most lethal striker in the MLS and he has a good amount of support around him. Toronto and Chicago have almost identical goals scored and goals allowed totals so far this season. It will be interesting to see which side eventually finishes atop the East division.
2. Chicago Fire
Last Week: –
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +800
A draw with Portland ended Chicago’s run at four straight wins. The Fire is 8-0-3 since it’s last loss to the New York Red Bulls on April 29th. Nemanja Nikolic has been a force with 16 goals including four game-winning markers. Meanwhile, David Accam has been brilliant with 10 goals and a team-leading seven assists. Chicago still owns the best record in the MLS and is right there with TFC among the favorites to win it all this season.
The Fire are currently in the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Their 37 goals scored are the most in the MLS so far this season.
3. FC Dallas
Last Week: –
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +800
While Toronto and Chicago are the favorites in the East division, only one of those teams can make it to the MLS Championship game. FC Dallas currently trails Sporting Kansas City by one point atop the West division but is still considered the most likely West division team to reach the final. FC Dallas is undefeated in its past four games and is 3-3-1 over its last seven overall. Sporting Kansas City is its toughest competition but FC Dallas has a slight edge in terms of the sports betting odds.
FC Dallas currently in second place in the Western Conference. They have scored 30 goals so far while allowing just 18 to this point. The 18 goals they’ve allowed is the second-fewest in the West.
4. New York City FC
Last Week: –
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +1000
New York City FC’s recent four-game win streak reminded everybody in the East division that they couldn’t be overlooked. NYCFC’s win streak came to an end with a 3-2 loss to Vancouver but they still sit third in the East division. David Villa, Jack Harrison and Maximiliano Moralez continue to lead the way for the dark horse contender in the East division.
5. Sporting Kansas City
Last Week: –
MLS Championship Betting Odds: +1200
Sporting Kansas City has received a strong balance of scoring with Gerso Fernandes and Dom Dwyer leading the way up front so far this season. The real key has been their defensive play having allowed just 14 goals in 20 games played. Tim Melia has been outstanding this year with 60 saves and nine shutouts. Sporting KC has been forced to rely a little too much on its goaltending and strong defensive play. If they can find another level at the offensive end of the pitch then they could end up climbing even higher on this list.
Sporting Kansas City is currently in first place in the Western Conference with 32 points. They have scored just 24 so far this season, but it hasn’t mattered due to the defense. The 24 goals scored is just the seventh-most in the conference.
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