The 2025 Major League Soccer season begins this Saturday, February 22nd and runs until October 18th with the MLS Playoffs to follow. This year the MLS expanded to 30 teams with San Diego FC joining the league.
Top Contenders
There are a few teams that standout as top contenders heading into the season according to the oddsmakers. Here are the odds for the MLS Cup winner from an online betting site I use:
- Inter Miami FC +350
- LAFC +600
- Los Angeles Galaxy +900
- Columbus Crew +1000
- FC Cincinnati +1100
After those five top contenders the odds lengthen to +1600.
If you’re interested in betting on the MLS this season I suggest checking out HowToBet.ca. They are a betting guides website for Canadian bettors, and they have an in depth MLS betting guide available for wagering on MLS soccer from Canada this season.
Inter Miami FC set the record for the most points in MLS history during the 2024 season to win the Supporter’s Shield, but were bounced in round one of the playoffs by Atlanta United FC. This goes to show how difficult it is to win the MLS League Cup given the playoff format. If a team makes the playoffs they have a legitimate chance to win the MLS Cup, as shown by #7 seeded New York Red Bulls advancing to the MLS Cup Finals last year.
MLS Top Goalscorer
Christian Benteke won the golden boot award last year with 23 goals for DC United. Lionel Messi finished tied for second on goals scored last year along with Denis Bouanga, and Messi’s teammate Luis Suarez, who each had 20 goals. Messi did score his 20 goals in 19 games, while the others played in 27 to 32 games each.
Here are the odds for the top goalscorer for the MLS season from the same sportsbook I used above:
- Lionel Messi +275
- Luis Suarez +600
- Denis Bouanga +1000
- Christian Benteke +1200
- Gabriel Pec +1500
- Emmanuel Latte Lath +1600
- Alonso Martinez +2000
As you can see the top four goal scorers from last year are the favorites this year as well, with Messi having the shortest odds. Emmanuel Latte Lath is an interesting option at 16-1. The Ivory Coast international joined Atlanta United in February, and he will join fellow new addition Miguel Almiron as a dynamic duo up front for Atlanta.
Overall, it will be an exciting season in the MLS. There will be breaks for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (which Seattle and Miami are participating in) and the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the second half of June. Leagues Cup is also back in August, but there will not be a break in the MLS schedule for that tournament with Liga MX.
