The MLS is the top tier of soccer in the USA and is an abbreviation of Major League Soccer. The campaign culminates in the MLS Play-Offs with the final two teams competing in the end-of-season MLS Cup Final. This post-season showpiece event is watched by millions of fans each year and is staged at various locations around the country. The regular season begins in March and concludes at the end of October. 

There are currently 24 teams who compete in the MLS with FC Cincinnati becoming the latest franchise to join the division at the beginning of 2019. The sides are split into the Eastern and Western Conference and this helps avoid unneccessary travel for both players and fans. Three of the teams are based in Canada: Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps and the Montreal Impact.

Each team will play 34 times during the course of the regular campaign and they will combine this with participation in the US Open Cup. Games are staged at weekends and occasionally, midweek.

The team with the overall best record is awarded the Supporters Shield and although it is possible to win this accolade as well as the MLS Cup, it isn’t uncommon for two different franchises to secure silverware in the same season.

Unusually for a top flight division, there is no relegation system and teams can only be thrown out of Major League Soccer due to financial irregularities or if they can no longer afford to compete. 14 of the 24 teams will enter the end-of-season play-offs and this is the ultimate goal.

Although the majority of teams now compete at soccer-specific stadiums, there are still a handful of teams who groundshare with other sporting franchises.

LA Galaxy are the most successful team in the history of Major League Soccer having won the MLS Cup on five different occasions whilst DC United have accumulated four Supporters Shield.

Many European players have competed in the MLS over the years with big names including David Beckham and Thierry Henry having played in the US top flight. Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Andrea Pirlo have also sampled Major League Soccer.

The division has grown in appeal over the last ten years and is currently televised by Sky Sports in the UK. Although the time difference prevents many matches from being screened at sociable hours, it is not uncommon for Eastern Conference games to kick off at 8pm or 10pm UK time.

When and Where

The MLS Cup final is played a pre-selected venue each season and is staged at the end of the regular season. Previously, this showpiece event has been played at the beginning of December however in 2019, it has been brought forward to mid-November. In 2018, Atlanta United’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was the host of the MLS Cup Final.

Why is the MLS so Popular?

In the US, Soccer is a growing market with an increasing amount of fans turning out to support their local side. It is given plenty of TV coverage in the USA and therefore interest has begun to increase.

In the UK, we are a football-mad country and the division is often high-scoring and full of excitement and drama.

Many household names also choose to ply their trade in the MLS and that is another reason for UK soccer fans to tune in on a regular basis.

What Betting Opportunities are Available?

Plenty! The MLS Cup winners market is always priced up pre-season and many bookmakers will also update the odds at various intervals throughout the season. It is also possible to wager on sides to reach the MLS Play-Offs.

During the regular season, every match will be priced up days in advance and there are numerous markets available for each game including 1X2, Under/Overs and Anytime Goalscorers.

Popular Betting Markets

MLS Cup Winner – This is a pre-season wager and is a fun way of keeping an interest across the entire campaign. Bettors are able to choose from any of the 24 teams available although there are many franchises who are unlikely to challenge at any point. Teams such as the NY Red Bulls and 2018 winners Atlanta United are always likely to be towards the top of the betting. Your chosen side must progress all the way to the MLS Cup final and be victorious match of the season in order to receive a payout.

To Reach the Play-Offs – This market is more uncommon but many bookmakers will offer odds on sides to reach the end-of-season play-offs. There are plenty of short prices available in this market so it pays to look for an outsider who comes off the back of an underwhelming season.

Golden Boot Winner – Again, not every bookmaker will have this market priced up but it’s a decent opportunity to predict which player will end up scoring the highest amount of goals during the regular season. Always check the small-print as some online betting sites will pay-out prior to the play-offs whilst other will wait until the MLS Cup Final has been played.

Match Winner – Each individual game will be priced up days in advance. The match-winner market is ideal for having overnight MLS accumulators as some prices can be fairly prohibitive. Like most US Sports, home sides have a huge advantage and the hosts tend to win more often than not. If you can find an away winner, this can be a good way of getting decent value in Major League Soccer.

Under/Over Goals – This is very popular with MLS bettors as the league is often full of high-scoring games. Many sides do not prioritise defence and therefore it can lead to a very open 90 mins. Over 2.5 Goals is often a short price although accumulators are a very popular way of approaching this market.

Anytime Goalscorer – There are many players who struggle elsewhere, who often thrive in the MLS. The likes of Bradley Wright-Phillips have taken the league by storm and it can pay to back him on a regular basis. With plenty of goals expected, it can often be more profitable to wager on specific players to find the net.

Handicaps – Handicap markets are very popular with MLS punters and they provide an opportunity to get a better price on dominant home teams. In order for this to pay-out, your chosen side must overcome a handicap (-1 for example). Underdogs can also be given a head-start (+1) and this is a good way of betting if you’re not expecting a drubbing.

Correct Score – Greater odds are available for punters who correctly predict the correct score. High-scoring games are incredibly common so big prices are available for score-lines such as 0-0 and 1-0 either way.

Draw No Bet – This is a safer way of playing the 1X2 market. Lower odds are available in this market and bookies will payout if at this price if your chosen side is a winner. If the match ends all-square, the stake will be returned.

Bobby’s Big Betting Tips for the MLS

Home Advantage is Common but isn’t a Given – Many home teams prevail in the MLS and this is down to a number of different factors. Travel is a huge part of this and the likes of Orlando travelling to face Vancouver Whitecaps will result in the visitors having to endure hours of commuting ahead of the fixture. As a result, there aren’t many away fans travelling to games either and this can have a negative effect on teams. However, don’t be lazy with your betting and just assume that the hosts will win. If the home team have endured a punishing schedule or undergoing an injury crisis, this could favour the opposition. Big prices can be unearthed in the MLS, particularly when backing the away side. Always check travel distances and match schedules as this can have a huge say in the outcome.

Players in Form Must be Followed – Teams go through purple patches and so do individual players. In the MLS, certain striker will go through a run of scoring in virtually every game for several weeks. If a player finds their stride, it can often be worth backing them for the next few games at least. It is not uncommon for players to find the net in consecutive games.

High Scoring Games are Likely – The bookmakers have cottoned onto the fact that the majority of games in the MLS will contain plenty of goals and the Over 2.5 Goals market is suitably short. There are better ways of getting involved – Over 2.5 Goals/Both Teams to Score will stretch out the value whilst Over 3.5 Goals is also a good way of betting. In 2018, 63% of games contained three or more goals whilst 40% went Over 3.5. The 2-3 Goals exactly market could be a better way to go for many games as this is always likely to pay-out at decent odds.

Weather Can Play a Part – Always check the forecasts in the MLS. The climate is incredibly variable at many of the grounds and although it is largely a summer sport, downpours, high-winds and fog are not uncommon. High temperatures can also play their part. For example, Houston Dynamo home games in July and August can often be played in sweltering temperatures and this does not lend itself to teams such as Montreal Impact and Toronto FC, who are generally used to more moderate climes.

Where Can I Watch the MLS in the UK?

As of February 2019, Sky Sports are the rightsholders to the MLS in the UK. The broadcaster will show 3-4 live games each weekend and they have a weekly highlights show which will roundup all of the games. Goals can also be viewed on Sky Sports News and through the Sky Sports App.