Surprises, Disappointments & Odds to win MLS Cup 2016
The 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) season has reached matchday 10 and already it is looking like one of the most exciting and open MLS seasons in recent times. Some franchises have excelled in the early stages of the season, while others are somewhat lacking in form, a few of which are already out of the running for MLS Cup glory this year.
We’re taking a look at the two surprise packages and two of the biggest disappointments thus far. Without further ado, let’s begin with the two teams who have got off to a blistering start.
Off To A Flying Start
Take Colorado Rapids at +3300 To Win The MLS Cup
The Colorado Rapids finished the 2015 MLS Season rock bottom of the Western Conference (19th in the MLS overall), but head coach Pablo Mastroeni has worked wonders in the offseason and turned his team’s fortunes around.
Currently top of the Western Conference, and top of the overall MLS standings, the Rapids have been in superb early season form, winning five of their nine games. Their home form is the tied for first in the league with four consecutive victories.
The Rapids have already beaten L.A. Galaxy 1-0, the New York Red Bulls 2-1 and Seattle Sounders 3-1, all in the friendly confines of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
While they are not banging in goals — scoring 12 in nine games — Colorado look like a solid outfit, and we’re astounded that some online sports betting sites are still offering odds of +6600 on the Rapids winning the MLS Cup.
We like Colorado as a futures bet, especially at a price that will pay massive returns.
Real Salt Lake at +1400 To Win MLS Cup
Like Colorado, Real Salt Lake endured a disappointing 2015 MLS campaign, finishing ninth in the Western Conference and 16th overall, yet they too have been fast out of the blocks and find themselves trailing only the Rapids by goal difference this season.
Five wins, two draws, and one loss from eight games is title winning form, and with Joao Plata already on four goals for the season, it looks like Real Salt Lake could ruffle a few feathers in 2016.
The glaring downfall we see in Salt Lake so far is their leaky defence, which has conceded 12 goals in its opening eight fixtures, five of which coming in their 5-2 defeat on the road to L.A. Galaxy. We’re putting it down to an anomaly, a very poor day at the office.
Real Salt Lake travel to Colorado Rapids on May 7 in an exciting top of the table clash.
Off To A Disappointing Start
New York Red Bulls at +1000 To Win The MLS Cup
Even before a ball was kicked, pundits around the world were touting that 2016 would be the year that the New York Red Bulls would win their first MLS Cup. Nine games into the season, and those same pundits are being left with egg on their faces after a dreadful start from one of the league most famous teams.
Six defeats from nine games, including losing all four of their away fixtures, has left the Red Bulls in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. After opening with a 0-2 home defeat to Toronto FC and then losing 3-0 away at Montreal Impact, the Red Bulls found their scoring boots and beat Houston Dynamo 4-3 at home. Four straight defeats followed before back-to-back wins at home to Orlando City and FC Dallas relieved some pressure on manager Jesse Marsch.
Conceding 17 goals in nine games is going to see any team in the world struggle, and if Marsch doesn’t shore up that leaky back four, the Red Bulls may not even reach the playoff places.
Columbus Crew SC At +1400 To Win The MLS Cup
After finishing 2015 as the MLS Cup runners-up, Columbus Crew SC were one of the teams expected to challenge for honors again this season. This now looks unlikely with the Crew languishing in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with two wins, four losses and two draws from their opening eight fixtures.
The Crew are not playing badly as a whole, but are woeful in front of goal and have only found the back of the net seven times so far this season.
Kei Kamara, who was expected to be the star of the MLS this year, has been disappointing despite scoring three times, and his teammates have squandered so many chances that it is almost criminal. Can Crew find their shooting boots and mount a charge up the table in the coming weeks?
Odds To Win MLS Cup 2016
LA Galaxy +350
Sporting KC +800
FC Dallas +900
Portland Timbers +900
NY Red Bulls +1000
Real Salt Lake +1400
Columbus Crew +1400
Vancouver Whitecaps +1400
Toronto FC +1400
Seattle Sounders +1600
New York City FC +1600
New England Revolution +1600
Montreal Impact +1600
Orlando City +2000
San Jose Earthquakes +2000
DC United +2500
Colorado Rapids +3300
Philadelphia Union +4000
Houston Dynamo +5000
Chicago Fire +10000
