Sporting KC’s Odds to Win MLS Cup 2020

First, I want to say I personally don’t advocate you gamble on anything. Gambling is an addiction that many people have. I’ll be a bit preachy and say, you shouldn’t gamble if you can’t afford to lose that money. That feels like a pretty reasonable thing to say.

Also, there are plenty of resources out there to help you if you have a problem. Be self-aware and stop reading and seek help if you need it.

With all that said, Sports Betting Dime (I don’t want to link a gambling site, but you have to cite your sources) put out updated MLS Cup odds for the 2020 season. They also put out lots of Inter Miami CF odds as well as things like Golden Boot and Goalkeeper of the Year.

But what you are here for is to see what people think of Sporting Kansas City. Well, considering they had an awful 2019, the odds makers aren’t too down on them. They are listed at 65 to 1 to win it all, 15th best in the league. That isn’t great, but considering earlier in the offseason (even after the Alan Pulido signing) they were something like third from the bottom only ahead of teams like Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati, it’s an improvement. Especially considering they didn’t light the world on fire in preseason.

The top of the list feels about right with LAFC, Atlanta, Seattle, NYCFC and Toronto FC rounding out the top five.

There are some surprises on the list. Real Salt Lake looked pretty horrific in preseason (though SKC weren’t too hot themselves) yet they are way up at #8. They lost one of their best players in Jefferson Savarino but they are a pretty consistently good team, so what do I know? I’m also biased against them.

The Red Bulls are probably too far up too. They are going all-in on the kids (+ Kaku) and I imagine they’ll not really be contenders. Definitely not the 7th best.

Minnesota United are just behind RSL in 9th and feel ripe for a bit of a drop off from 2019. The list falls off a cliff at spot #13 where the Portland Timbers odds are significantly worse than the New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union right ahead of them (that Bruce Arena bump is noticeable).

The Chicago Fire, who are just after SKC, seem way too far up the list. They’ve been such a badly run franchise for so long. They have turned over a lot of the top of their roster and they have a new coach, so I guess the book makers like that.

I’m personally surprised Miami are as low as they are (19th). They have what is instantly one of the best players in MLS in Rodolfo Pizarro and they’ll probably add another superstar at some point.

The San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids are getting no love despite showing great improvement in 2019. It’s probably a good guess, but San Jose seem like they could make some waves with their second year with Matias Almeyda.

My dark horse: the Vancouver Whitecaps (not to win the whole thing, but to be more competitive). They are next to last ahead of only expansion side Nashville SC (and somehow behind the abysmal FC Cincinnati). But Marc dos Santos is a good coach. Year two should better. Hopefully just not his opening day.

And poor Nashville SC are bringing up the rear. I bet they finish better than Cincy.

Take a look at the full list.

ODDS TO WIN THE 2020 MLS CUP

1. Los Angeles Football Club: 11/2
2. Atlanta United: 8/1
3. Seattle Sounders: 9/1
4. New York City FC: 11/1
5. Toronto FC: 11/1
6. LA Galaxy: 15/1
7. New York Red Bulls: 22/1
8. Real Salt Lake: 24/1
9. Minnesota United: 25/1
10. D.C. United: 28/1
11. New England Revolution: 35/1
12. Philadelphia Union: 35/1
13. Portland Timbers: 50/1
14. Columbus Crew SC: 50/1
15. Sporting KC: 65/1
16. Chicago Fire: 65/1
17. FC Dallas: 70/1
18. Montreal Impact: 70/1
19. Inter Miami CF: 75/1
20. Orlando City SC: 80/1
21. San Jose Earthquakes: 90/1
22. Colorado Rapids: 100/1
23. Houston Dynamo: 100/1
24. FC Cincinnati: 125/1
25. Vancouver Whitecaps: 150/1
26. Nashville SC: 200/1

It’s not just MLS Cup odds. They have how the expansion teams will finish (which apparently is out of the playoffs). Plus Golden Boot odds (no Sporting KC players). And Tim Melia is 4th in odds to with Goalkeeper of the Year.

OVER/UNDER EXPANSION TEAM POINTS

1. Inter Miami CF: 44.5 points
2. Nashville SC: 30.5 points

ODDS TO BE THE MLS LEADING GOAL SCORER

1. Carlos Vela (LAFC): 5/2
2. Josef Martinez (Atlanta): 4/1
3. Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy): 10/1
4. Diego Rossi (LAFC): 12/1
5. Heber (NYCFC): 15/1
6. Gustavo Bou (New England): 15/1
7. Kei Kamara (Colorado): 18/1
8. Luis Amarilla (Minnesota): 18/1
9. Jozy Altidore (Toronto): 19/1
10. Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto): 20/1

ODD TO WIN THE MLS Goaltender of the Year

1. Bill Hamid (DC): 7/1
2. Sean Johnson (NYCFC): 8/1
3. Brad Guzan (Atlanta): 8/1
4. Tim Melia (KC): 10/1
5. Kenneth Vermeer (LAFC): 10/1

Weigh in on your thoughts on all the odds in the comments below.