MLS Week 2 Betting and Latest MLS Cup Odds

With five of the twelve games ending in draws in week 1 of the MLS season, fans could be forgiven for thinking that we have seen a cagey start to the new campaign.

But with only one goalie keeping a clean sheet, there were definitely lots of goals to enjoy.

There were mixed fortunes for the favorites for the 2019 MLS Cup.

New York Red Bulls drew 1-1 in Columbus and will be happy with a point against a team with a crowd just happy that they still have a team to cheer for. Home field advantage is definitely going to be a factor in Ohio this season.

Last year’s champion, Atlanta, lost to a very impressive-looking DC United. Although this was always going to be a tough away trip, it has not helped with the questions being asked about how much Atlanta will miss players like Miguel Almiron. Weariness from midweek CCL games must be a factor as well.

Zlatan’s LA Galaxy (as they seem to be known as now) beat a Chicago side that some feel could challenge this year — with the Swedish star getting a late winner. If the Galaxy is going to challenge this season, their talismanic striker will be a major reason why.

There were some slight changes in the odds for MLS Cup winners after the week 1 results.

New York Red Bulls are still the favorite with an unchanged price of +500 according to MyBookie.ag. Atlanta’s defeat in DC lengthened its odds to +700, and if they lose again this weekend, I’ll be looking forward to seeing what price is offered then.

Predictably, LA Galaxy’s win sees its price narrow slightly to +550, but its cross-city rival LAFC is the team with the biggest shift at the top of the odds. Its 2-1 defeat of Chicago shortens its price from +900 to +700.

The other big mover further down the list of favorites is DC United thanks to its victory over the 2018 champion, Atlanta.

Here are my previews and picks for week 2 of MLS 2019. Odds are courtesy of MyBookie.

Orlando came back from 2-0 down against New York City FC last week and looked like a different side once stellar signing Nani came off the bench to get involved in his first MLS game. I think the Lions will struggle this season, though, as they attempt to become established in the higher reaches of MLS.

Chicago ultimately failed to impress in 2018 after a positive 2017 but surprised LA Galaxy by taking the lead in their week 1 matchup. Zlatan Ibrahimovic made the difference in the end, but the Fire will be confident of picking up its first win of the season at home. Those odds are not very enticing, however.

Both these sides earned creditable draws in week 1, and New England will expect home-field advantage to help it pick up its first three points of the season. The Revolution has a good record at Gillette Stadium and will be favored for the win.

But I think this Columbus side could surprise a few teams. Last week’s draw against the New York Red Bulls is a good example of its tenacity with the Crew enjoying the majority of the play. A draw on the road is a good result for Columbus, and I think the price of +234 is a good value.

FC Dallas has been the “nearly” team of MLS for a few seasons now. The Texan side has started brightly — and flown under the radar as bigger and brasher rivals take all the plaudits — before not quite making it in the playoffs. The bookmakers obviously expect the home side to get the win here, but the Galaxy will have other ideas.

I fully expect this season to be the year of Zlatan, and when he’s playing, I don’t think we can dismiss any positive outcome for the Galaxy. Los Angeles with +0.5 looks very tempting as I do think this will be a tight affair, but once again, the draw at +277 seems to be the best option here.

Montreal will always have a chance of a positive result when Ignacio Piatti is involved, and the Argentinian provided the equalizer against the Quakes last week before Saphir Taider grabbed the winner just before half time.

Houston will look to build on the draw against Real Salt Lake but will miss Vera in the midfield who was sent off last weekend. A draw for the Dynamo would be a good result, but I like the Impact’s chances of getting three points on the road with Piatti popping up to score once again.

Real Salt Lake is not the force it used to be in American soccer but should have more than enough to deal with a still experimental Vancouver side at Rio Tinto Stadium.

The Whitecaps are still trying to bed in its many new faces, and last week’s defeat at home to Minnesota showed how hard it is to get new defenders, in particular, to gel with only a few weeks of pre-season. The odds of a Real Salt Lake victory are not that attractive, but I can’t see any other outcome for this game.

If MLS was like most other top leagues around the world, San Jose would not even be featuring in the top flight this season, but due to the “closed shop” setup, the Quakes live to fight another day. But San Jose is going to struggle again this season and will find things tough against an exciting Minnesota side.

The Loons battled out a confidence-boosting 3-2 victory over Vancouver last week and will no doubt enjoy traveling to the balmier climes of California this week. I think another three points is on the cards for Minnesota ahead of its big game against LA Galaxy next weekend.

I don’t care how many goals you give the Rapids to start; I don’t think that side stands a chance against a rampant Sounders team at CenturyLink Field. The snowy conditions helped Colorado to get the 3-3 draw against Portland last week, but the Denver side will come away from Seattle with nothing.

Jordan Morris showed that he’s back with two goals against new boys FC Cincinnati last week and will be looking to add to that tally in the Sounders’ second home game in succession.

One of the big games of the weekend sees DC United travel to Yankee Stadium following its 2-0 victory over Atlanta last time out. Ben Olsen’s side will be full of confidence after that result, and I fully expect Wayne Rooney to cause NYC FC’s defense some problems.

New York was pegged back by Orlando last week and will want to put things right on Sunday. But DC United enjoyed visiting the Bronx last season, drawing one and winning one, and I can see the Black and Red coming away with at least a point this year.

Philadelphia was surprisingly beaten at home by an unfancied Toronto side last week who seemed to cope just fine without Sebastian Giovinco, and a trip to Kansas City is always tough.

SKC was only denied a point from its opener with LAFC by a last-minute Adama Diomande goal and will expect to get all three points from its first home game of the season. The price of a Kansas City win is not that attractive, but I’ll take the modest returns here.

This is another game where you can give the visitors as many goals as you like, and I still wouldn’t take them for the win. FC Cincinnati has certainly “enjoyed” a baptism of fire in the first two weeks of its MLS existence and will not be expecting much from the trip to Atlanta.

This is the first game back at the imposing Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Atlanta since winning the MLS Cup last year, and the raucous home fans should be able to enjoy a convincing victory against the expansion side from Ohio. The price is not good for making money, but a home win is the only outcome to expect.

This is another massive game at the Banc of California Stadium as the Portland Timbers make the second of twelve consecutive away trips. LAFC is able to perform at home and is obviously favored by the bookmakers but needed a last-minute goal for the win against SKC last week.

The Timbers will be glad of a few draws on the road while Providence Park is refurbished, and last week’s 3-3 in snowy Colorado will set the side up nicely for LAFC. I expect both of these teams to make the playoffs, and a draw in this one is probably the safest bet.

The sheer number of draws in week 1 hampered my prediction success, but the new MLS season got off to a great start with lots of goals and a few surprises.

Week 2 promises some more intriguing matchups and reigning champion Atlanta looking to get its first goals and points of the season.

Regardless of whether you want to follow my picks or choose your own selections, I recommend you visit MyBookie.ag to place your wagers. This is one of the leading US-friendly sportsbooks, and their MLS odds are competitive.

If you’re not from the US, check out our recommended soccer betting sites for some alternative options.