MLS Cup Odds: The Power Of Friendship Makes Miami Favorites

It's time to look at the 2024 MLS Cup Odds now that North American soccer has officially begun!

The odds-on favorite to win this year's championship is Lionel Messi's Inter Miami at +350. The runners-up are defending champions Columbus Crew at +8500.

2024 MLS Cup Odds

Odds as of April 3

MLS Cup Odds: Can Messi's Miami Win it?

With a star-studded roster of household names and a winning record, it's hard to discredit Inter Miami's chances. The duo of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have combined for eight goals and four helpers in seven games now. The power of friendship wins again.

But, it goes beyond those two with Sergio Busquets pulling the string in the middle and Jordi Alba bombing down the flanks as that wide playmaker. And don't forget Drake Callender in the net who has a 79% SV% on the year so far.

The combination of talent in terms of name recognition and output has Miami at the top of the league and looking like those early-season favorites we made them out to be.

MLS Cup Odds Challengers

LAFC

If you want to be reminded about how long the season is, look at where LAFC is on the oddsboard. LAFC, who've only managed one win so far but have lost three times in six games.

But with 80-ish% left to play, they could easily make up the ground. Or so oddsmakers believe.

Some will point to the fact that LAFC won the league two years ago and were runners-up last year. But LA started the year much better in both of those seasons. In 2022 they went 4-1-1 (13 points) in their opening six games while in 2023 that record was 4-2-0 (14 points). That's six to seven points better at the same point in the year, respectively. 

I would hold off putting any money on LAFC until they've proven they aren't just riding on their history and are actual title challengers.

Columbus Crew

They're only the defending champions and find themselves near the top of the Eastern Conference with 11 points from four games.

Unlike some of the other top teams in the East, Columbus has a great +12.4 expected goals. The second-best rate in the league. Only DC United is better at +12.5 xG.

A recent study found that Columbus is neck-and-neck with some of the most elite clubs in the world when it comes to holding possession under incredible pressure.

Study done by the Football Observatory on teams with the highest ball retention percentage under high-intensity pressure: pic.twitter.com/EJ7xd6XwCG

— Managing Madrid (@managingmadrid) March 20, 2024

Columbus is the reigning champ and is playing a winning game (again). Look out.

Last 10 MLS Cup Champions

For the fan of competitiveness, the MLS has been a dream with no back-to-back winners over the last 10 years. Sure, the Seattle Sounders have won it twice in the previous decade, but those championships were separated by three years. This is a league where any team can win in any year.