Eight teams remain in the MLS playoff picture. Among them, who is winning the championship and cashing a futures bet in the process? We have some thoughts. Keep on reading to get our best bets to be 2023 MLS champion!
- What: MLS Playoffs
- When: MLS Cup Final is December 9
MLS Cup Betting Odds
We’re still weeks away from the MLS Cup as we’re only in the conference semi-finals. Before we get into our advice and picks. It makes sense to start with the current MLS Cup odds. Available at the best betting sites for MLS, these teams are the MLS Cup favorites:
| Club |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Cincinnati | +250 | +250 | +250 |
| LAFC | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Orlando City | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Seattle Sounders | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Columbus Crew | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Philadelphia Union | +900 | +900 | +900 |
| Houston Dynamo | +900 | +900 | +900 |
| Sporting Kansas City | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
The next round of games go down on November 25 and 26. Every match from here on out will be a single-elimination game. The playoff matchups are as follows:
- Columbus Crew at Orlando City
- Philadelphia Union at FC Cincinnati
- Sporting Kansas City at Houston Dynamo
- Los Angeles FC at Seattle Sounders
Best Bets To Win 2023 MLS Cup
The MLS postseason is historically unpredictable. Only eight teams that won the Supporter’s Shield (most points in the regular season) went on to win the title in 27 seasons. Heck, we’ve seen that unpredictably this year already with number-one-seeded St. Louis being swept in the first round. Knowing this, you’d be smart to bet on multiple teams to win the 2023 MLS Cup.
With plus-odds all around as it is right now, you can get away with two or maybe three bets. That’s why we’re recommending three bets — one from each conference, plus a “darkhorse” choice for bettors wanting a little extra risk.
Western Conference
Honestly, that looming playoff game between LAFC and Seattle feels like a de-facto championship game. Whoever wins has a strong chance of running the table from then on out: the question is, who wins — LA or Seattle?
Our gut feeling is telling us this is the Sounders’ year. Look, most bettors probably want to pick LAFC because, well, it’s LAFC. They’re the defending champions and they’re loaded with talent, including MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga and captain Carlos Vela. But here’s what’s going to be the difference-maker that tilts this for Seattle: home-pitch advantage. Lumen Field is one of the MLS’ best home-field advantages and LAFC hasn’t won there in five years. Bet Seattle to take this game and the whole MLS Cup!
Eastern Conference
Cincinnati has been the best team all season. Period. While many fans and bettors have expected them to "come down to Earth", this club just keeps winning. We fully expect that to continue and we’d prioritize them as the bet to make in the East Conference.
This team’s comeback began a year ago. After three straight seasons as one of MLS’ worst teams, Cincy made its first playoff run in 2022 despite shaky defense. That weakness has been fortified and it's what actually keyed this 2023 season that resulted in the Supporter’s Shield win. Cincinnati surrendered only 39 goals this season so defending is now their strength. These guys are the real deal and deserve your money here.
Darkhorse Team
All right, this wager is for bettors that want to go against the grain with their futures bet — and up the possible payout. If there’s one team that’s worth taking a flyer on, it’s the Houston Dynamo.
This club might be one year away from being an MLS powerhouses, but there’s a chance it happens earlier in these playoffs. One year away because they’re in the middle of a dramatic turnaround. Here’s a team that hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2017 but now is 90 minutes away from a conference finals appearance. The comeback has been fueled by manager Ben Olsen and a few savvy veterans, including Hector Herrera.
Like Seattle, they’re also defensive stalwarts, arguably better ones. Houston gave up 38 goals this season. But unlike Seattle, they have a favorable draw this playoff round against Kansas City, who barely made the playoffs to start with.
The good thing about betting Houston here is even a small wager can pay out big at these +900 odds. It’s the ultimate low-risk, high-reward that we think is fully worth it.
How To Bet On MLS Playoffs?
Seven games remain in the MLS playoffs. That means you have seven opportunities to cash-in off MLS until the season ends. If you want to seize this opportunity, hit one of the bookmakers listed below. You'll find the full assortment of MLS playoff bets at any one of these sites — spreads, over/unders, props, and futures like the one we covered above.
One big reason why you should bet on these sites is because of their lucrative sportsbook bonuses. These deals could reward you hundreds to thousands of dollars in free play — money that can bankroll your MLS betting. Big-money offers like these is a big reason why the bookies are among the highest rated in our latest sportsbook reviews. Details on everything can be found in the table below so get on it.
