2021 MLS Betting Odds
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. That’s been the MLS motto this year, as the regular season was thrown into disarray due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The season came to a screeching halt after just two weeks, but the league has adapted to the changes. The MLS is Back Tournament was held in Orlando over July and August, and the relative success of the competition has led to the MLS making plans to play an abbreviated regular season.
Changes to the Season
The MLS scheduled every club to play 34 games this year, but that obviously won’t be happening given the amount of time that has lapsed. The league resumed the season the day after Portland beat Orlando to win the MLS is Back Tournament, and the MLS has subsequently released an abbreviated schedule for every team. Teams will play in small pods in order to minimize travel, and every club but FC Dallas and Nashville SC will play six matches through September 14. Those two teams will play additional games since they didn’t take part in the MLS is Back Tournament.
The league hopes to have every club play an additional 18 games in the regular season, making it an even 20 game season on the year. However, the MLS wants to be flexible and keep the ability to adapt to change, so a full schedule has not been fleshed out. Instead, fixtures will slowly roll out in the weeks leading up to the match.
Currently, the MLS plans for the regular season to come to a close on November 8. Due to the truncated campaign, an additional four teams will make the playoffs, providing 18 clubs with the opportunity to win the MLS Cup at the conclusion of the regular season.
MLS Teams
| EASTERN CONFERENCE |
| TEAM |
LOCATION |
STADIUM |
| Atlanta United |
Atlanta, Georgia |
Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Chicago Fire |
Bridgeview, Illinois |
Soldier Field |
| Columbus Crew |
Columbus, Ohio |
Mapfre Stadium |
| D.C. United |
Washington, D.C. |
Audi Field |
| FC Cincinnati |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
Nippert Stadium |
| Inter Miami |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
Inter Miami CF Stadium |
| Montreal Impact |
Montreal, Quebec |
Saputo Stadium |
| New England Revolution |
Foxborough, Massachusetts |
Gillette Stadium |
| New York City FC |
New York City, New York |
Yankee Stadium |
| New York Red Bulls |
Harrison, New Jersey |
Red Bull Arena |
| Orlando City |
Orlando, Florida |
Exploria Stadium |
| Philadelphia Union |
Chester, Pennsylvania |
Talen Energy Stadium |
| Toronto FC |
Toronto, Ontario |
BMO Field |
| WESTERN CONFERENCE |
| TEAM |
LOCATION |
STADIUM |
| Colorado Rapids |
Commerce City, Colorado |
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park |
| FC Dallas |
Frisco, Texas |
Toyota Stadium |
| Houston Dynamo |
Houston, Texas |
BBVA Stadium |
| Los Angeles FC |
Los Angeles, California |
Banc of California Stadium |
| Los Angeles Galaxy |
Carson, California |
Dignity Health Sports Park |
| Minnesota United |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Allianz Field |
| Nashville SC |
Nashville, Tennessee |
Nissan Stadium |
| Portland Timbers |
Portland, Oregon |
Providence Park |
| Real Salt Lake |
Sandy, Utah |
Rio Tinto Stadium |
| San Jose Earthquakes |
San Jose, California |
Earthquakes Stadium |
| Seattle Sounders |
Seattle, Washington |
CenturyLink Field |
| Sporting Kansas City |
Kansas City, Kansas |
Children’s Mercy Park |
| Vancouver Whitecaps |
Vancouver, British Columbia |
BC Place |
MLS Past Season Winners (2010)
| YEAR |
WINNER |
SCORE |
RUNNER-UP |
| 2020 |
Columbus Crew |
3-0 |
Seattle Sounders |
| 2019 |
Seattle Sounders |
3-1 |
Toronto FC |
| 2018 |
Atlanta United |
2-0 |
Portland Timbers |
| 2017 |
Toronto FC |
2-0 |
Seattle Sounders |
| 2016 |
Seattle Sounders |
5-4 (P) |
Toronto FC |
| 2015 |
Portland Timbers |
2-1 |
Columbus Crew |
| 2014 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
2-1 (ET) |
New England Revolution |
| 2013 |
Sporting Kansas City |
7-6 (P) |
Real Salt Lake |
| 2012 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
3-1 |
Houston Dynamo |
| 2011 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
1-0 |
Houston Dynamo |
| 2010 |
Colorado Rapids |
2-1 |
FC Dallas |
It’s the MLS’ silver anniversary in 2020, and the league is celebrating by continuing to expand. Over the last three years, we have seen the league add four clubs, and two more teams are set to kick off their inaugural seasons in 2020. Inter Miami CF will join the Eastern Conference, bringing soccer back to south Florida, while Nashville SC will join the Western Conference.
Austin FC and Charlotte will join the league in 2021, and St. Louis and Sacramento are scheduled to join the league in 2022, bringing the MLS to 30 teams.
Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders have met in three of the last four MLS Cup Finals, so it’s no surprise that these two clubs are among the favorites to win the title in 2020. Both Los Angeles clubs are considered frontrunners too after Los Angeles FC posted the best regular season in league history last season, and the Los Angeles Galaxy splurged with the signing of fan favorite Chicharito.
In the Eastern Conference, Atlanta United are the most dangerous team on paper despite some big moves in their back line over the break. The two New York clubs continue to look like contenders, but they have continually let their fans down in the playoffs, so it’s hard to have much faith in them until they prove it at this point.
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