If you like taking long shots in the MLS, then there is no better window for it than the time around the holiday season! Want to know why? The 2019 season is still just a month old, and the new season is still at least a good two months away.
Players are in the midst of trades and we still have the MLS SuperDraft coming up in January 2020! The odds are bound to be high since we still don’t know how the teams will line up come March.
On top of that, the MLS is extra special this year due to the confirmed expansion of the league - two new franchises will join this year, bringing a fresh source of unknown variables and potential long punts.
It is so early, sites like Oddschecker does not even have anything to offer on their MLS page!
Granted, all this can seem a bit too risky if you are a more conservative punter.
But fear not, for you can increase your odds by choosing bookmakers that offer no deposit bonuses this festive season. That way, you can still get your MLS pre-season betting fix with relative safety!
Who will lift the MLS Cup in November 2020?
Given the inherent uncertainties of the play-offs format, there are many ways this can go down. The reality in the MLS is that if you want to know about the best team in any season, you need to look at the Supporter’s Shield winner - the team which racked up the highest number of points in the entire season.
In the play-offs, even an underperforming club that narrowly squeaked in at the last moment can suddenly ignite an end of season charge and win it. Which is what Toronto FC almost achieved in 2019 - they were 9th in the overall season table and 4th in their Conference!
There is no “safe” long shot on this one here, but you can still give a decent shout out to 2019’s best overall team - LA FC. They still have Bob Bradley at the helm and have retained the magic of Carlos Vela up top, along with bright new prospect Brian Rodriguez on the wings.
Only one other team has managed to rebound after flopping in the playoff as the best team in the country - the Black & Golds’ local rival LA Galaxy in 2011. There is no reason why LA FC can’t repeat that in 2020.
Other top playoff contenders and how they stack up so far
The defending champs Seattle Sounders are very much in the conversation from the Western Conference, having retained most of the squad that landed them the trophy this November. The only key player missing is Victor Rodriguez, who has opted to return to his home in Spain to try his chances in the Spanish leagues. Though the Sounders will miss his creativity in the final third, they have plenty of time and options to fill that gap.
Another team that still has its 2019 roster intact is Atlanta United. The Five Stripes are certain to be out for blood in 2020, smarted by an agonizing loss in the Conference finals in 2019. Like all good teams, they now have a settled spine in the playing XI, with Brad Guzan in goal, Miles Robinson in defense, Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez in midfield, and Josef Martinez as the striker.
Philadelphia Union entered the 2019 playoffs as third place holders in the Eastern Conference. The departures of key players like Haris Madunjanin to Cincinnati and Ilsinho and Macro Fabian as free agents have weakened the team somewhat. But if they can find some creative midfield options by February, the team should still be strong enough to make it to the playoffs.
The prospects of Nashville and Miami
From one of the league to the other, we should take a look at the teams heralding the biggest changes to the MLS league format in years - Inter Miami and Nashville SC. The latter is arguably living under the shadow of David Beckham’s pet project in Miami right now.
But they could blow all that away if they can win the 2020 season opener in Nashville against none other than LA FC. That there is a king of long shots punt, but you never know with these untested expansion teams, do you now?
In the expansion draft, Nashville picked Abu Danladi (2017 SuperDraft No.1 pick) from Minnesota and Brandon United from Atlanta as forwards, Jalil Anibaba (New England) and Jimmy Medranda (Kansas City) to shore up their defense.
On the other hand, the more glamorous Inter Miami opted to strengthen their midfield and defense with Lee Nguyen from LA FC, Luis Argudo from Columbus Crew, Ben Sweat from New York City, and Alvas Powell from Cincinnati along with Seattle’s Bryan Meredith in goal.
Inter has set its eyes on Uruguayan Diego Alonso (ex Monterrey coach in Liga BBVA MX) as their coach after a long period of uncertainty. In the run-up to this, Paddy Power actually offered odds on actor Don Johnson of Miami Vice fame as a potential candidate!
With 7 teams in the first round playoff qualification spots, can Inter Miami get ahead of teams like Chicago Fire, Montreal Impact, Cincinnati, Orlando SC, and Columbus Crew?
It is definitely a long shot worth taking. Especially since David Beckham could still bring in some superstars from Europe - David Silva, Edinson Cavani, or Luis Suarez could all join in the summer as designated players.
New Season
These are still very early days for the 2020 MLS season. A lot will depend on how the transfers and the upcoming SuperDraft work out for the teams. With changes in the league format and the arrival of new teams, there is plenty of churning in the MLS in 2020.
Will that signal the arrival of new challengers? It is quite hard to fathom at the moment. But based on the health of current rosters, it is hard not to look beyond the power ranking leaders from last season, like LA FC and Atlanta United.
The new MLS season kicks off on February 29th, 2020 in Nashville. You should start getting more detailed odds from sportsbooks by the end of January/early February at least.
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