It’s bound to be another exciting year for MLS fans. With the season kicking off this month, we’re already looking ahead to which teams might win the MLS Cup this year.
| ⚽ Team | ⭐ Odds |
| Inter Miami CF | +550 |
| Vancouver | +600 |
| Philadelphia Union | +900 |
| LAFC | +1000 |
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Right now, Inter Miami CF is our pick to win the 2025 MLS Cup. With superstar Lionel Messi leading the team, and a 2024 Supporter’s Shield and 2023 Leagues Cup title under their belts, Inter Miami is set to have another big season.
Messi’s contract is set to end in 2025. While there’s room for an extension, this could very well be his last season with the team, setting the stage for an even greater motivation to take home the title again this year.
There’s a lot that goes in to determining our favorites. Checking out the current odds at popular sportsbooks are a good place to start, but it’s also important to consider the latest player performance, recent trades, coaching news, and injuries. All this together paints a picture of how the team can be expected to succeed in the long
Miami has been a powerhouse over the last couple of years, largely thanks to the addition of Lionel Messi to the roster in 2023. The team won the League Cup in 2023, and the Supporters’ Shield for best regular season performance last year. While they have not been at the top of the standings this season, they are still the favorites.
Philadelphia Union
The Union has emerged as a top contender and continues to make its mark in the league. Tai Baribo and Quinn Sullivan are the best scorers on the team and are gearing up for a showdown with Inter Miami.
The first Canadian so far, the Vancouver Whitecaps, are looking up this year. Currently, they lead the Western Conference and have the best odds of winning the West.
Though life in LA has been anything but stable recently, LA FC is still largely expected to lead the Western Conference this year. If all goes well, powerhouse Denis Bouanga is destined for another great season.
These contenders are sure to give the current favourites a run for their money. Time will tell how these teams stand up against the competition.
The Columbus Crew took home the Leagues Cup last year with a 3-1 victory against LAFC. The departure of Best Player Cucho Hernández, however, means the rest of the team will have to step up to keep the momentum going.
Coming out of the last MLS season with some seriously strong performances, it could very well be Cincinnati’s year to win the Cup title. We look forward to seeing how their talented lineup gets on this year, especially with 2023 MLS MVP Luciano Acosta in the midfield. Cincinnati currently leads the Eastern Conference.
Minnesota has emerged in the West this season, mainly thanks to its superior defensive play, highlighted by a 5-3-2 formation. Their counterattack measures and defense have spurred them toward the top.
En route to a potential Concacaf Champions Cup win, we’ve been seeing a sound performance from the Seattle Sounders already this year. Jordan Morris, the Sounders’ all-time leading goal-scorer, is certainly keen on a big year in 2025.
A lot can change over the course of an MLS season. While these teams might be considered longshots for now, they’re definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Orlando City FC enters the 2025 MLS season with a dynamic attacking lineup, bolstered by offseason acquisitions like midfielder Eduard Atuesta. However, the departure of top scorer Facundo Torres raises concerns about goal production, especially with questions surrounding Marco Pašalić's ability to fill that void. While not leading the odds for the MLS Cup, Orlando City remains a competitive force in the league.
After the notable win against the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2024, the Red Bulls have certainly made a name for themselves.
The Dynamos may have come 8th overall last year, but the team certainly has the potential to climb the rankings. Ibrahim Aliyu and Ezequiel Ponce are just a couple of names to watch for this season.
The Timbers have emerged from the woodwork and are starting to make an impact in the MLS. Anthony, Felipe Mora, and Kevin Kelsy lead the team with five goals.
Staying up to date on the latest MLS news is key to understanding how and why the odds for MLS Cup winners change. Here’s some of the latest:
The current defending MLS champions are the Los Angeles Galaxy, who won their sixth championship by beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the title match on December 7, 2024, at Dignity Health Sports Park. They have struggled to do much of anything this season.
The Los Angeles Galaxy has won the MLS Cup six times, snagging that sixth championship last season with a win over the New York Red Bulls. D.C. United has the second-most titles with four MLS Cup championships.
Inter Miami, led by superstar Lionel Messi, has the greatest odds of getting to and winning the 2025 MLS Cup at +500, with the Vancouver Whitecaps having the second-best odds of claiming the top prize in MLS at +600.
Author
Brandon Justice has nearly a decade of experience covering sports and betting, primarily working in college football, college basketball, NFL and MLB. His goal is providing detailed analysis on the trends & data of sports betting with a wealth of experience, including writing for The Action Network & Rivals.com.
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