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.
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 the Leagues Cup in 2023, and the Supporters’ Shield for best regular season performance last year. With this track record, it’s hard to deny that this team has a high chance at an outstanding performance this season.
Coming out of the last MLS season with some seriously strong performances, it could very well be Cincinatti’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 on midfield.
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.
It’s a good time to be a soccer fan in LA, home to the two top Western Conference favourites and with the FIFA 2026 World Cup coming to the city next year. Winning a record 6th MLS Cup title last year, this team is never to be underestimated.
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 LA FC. The departure of Best Player Cucho Hernández, however, means the rest of the team will have to step up to keep the momentum going.
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.
En route to a potential Concacaf Champions Cup win, we’ve been seeing 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.
Real Salt Lake saw a disappointing loss and elimination from the Champions Cup recently, but that’s not to say they won’t rebound later in the season. They still have a solid roster, with a particularly strong defense.
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.
The Atlanta United have had a notable start to their season, with a last-minute win against CF Montreal thanks to a wicked goal by Edwin Mosquera. Atlanta boasts one of the largest soccer crowds in the world at the Benz Stadium, and these fans no doubt want to see a MLS Cup title.
​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. ​
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 first Canadian so far, the Vancouver Whitecaps are looking up this year. Having recently tied down goal-scorer Brian White to a muli-year deal, the team will retain a strong lineup.
Staying up the 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:
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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