MLS Conference Finals Odds: Preview, Breakdown, Best Bets
Phillies Not Only Gig in Philly, Union Looking for Revenge for Last Year's Loss to NYCFC
The 2022 MLS Cup has been one of the most exciting we’ve seen in a long time! While there are no significant upsets (except one in the semifinal), every match has been as exciting as the last. We’re now on to the MLS Conference Finals Odds, and the matchups and odds to win MLS Cup are in.
We’re down to the best of the best, the last four teams in the MLS Cup Conference Finals. So who will make it to the final? Let’s dive in.
Conference Semifinal Overview
Philadelphia Union 1 – 0 FC Cincinnati
Leon Flach scored his first season goal on Thursday night to help the Philadelphia Union advance to the Eastern Conference Final as they beat Cincinnati 1-0.
Flach scored in the 59th minute as Mikael Uhre beat two defenders to a loose ball in front of the net and sent it to the penalty spot for Flach’s one-touch finish. Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake recorded his 16th clean sheet of the season. Blake made five saves, including a diving stop of Brandon Vazquez’s breakaway shot in the 83rd.
NYCFC 3 – 1 CF Montreal
NYCFC keep their MLS Cup double alive as they dominate the favored CF Montreal on Sunday 3-1. The defending MLS Champions continue their postseason dominance and don’t look like they are stopping. Goals from Maxi Morales, Heber, and Talles Magno secured the win.
Montreal looked disappointing on the day but avoided the shutout in front of their home crowd with a heated finish from Djordje Mihailovic.
LAFC 3 – 2 LA Galaxy
LAFC advanced to the Western Conference final on Thursday night with a 3-2 victory over rival LA Galaxy in the latest dramatic edition of El Tráfico. Kellyn Acosta directed a corner kick toward the middle of the box. DP Denis Bouanga, who scored twice, fired a shot that the Galaxy goalkeeper saved, but Arango was there for the rebound and scored the winner.
The Supporter’s Shield winners outshot LA Galaxy 14-11 and 5-4 shots on goal. Both keepers only made two saves each.
Austin FC 2 – 1 FC Dallas
Austin takes the battle for Texas. Thanks to first-half goals from MLS MVP candidate Druissi and Moussa Djitti, Austin FC advances to their first-ever Conference Final. This season, the crucial win over Dallas is their first win over their fellow statesman.
FC Dallas got on the board in the 65th minute with a goal by Alan Velasco, but Austin FC clamped down the defense and shut the door the rest of the way. Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver made a tremendous save in the 87th minute to preserve the lead. Stuver made four saves on the night for Austin FC, who outshot FC Dallas 18-9.
MLS Cup Conference Final Matchups and Betting Odds
Philadelphia Union (-100) vs. NYCFC (+200)
Date, time (TV):
Streaming: FS1, FOX Deportes
Location: Subaru Park
The second straight season will be Philadelphia Union hosting NYCFC in the MLS Cup Conference Final. The showdown is a rematch of last year’s MLS Conference Final, where the eventual winners, NYCFC, won 2-1.
The Union overcame the Conference Semifinal bye clubs historically have struggled with, earning a 1-0 win over FC Cincinnati behind Leon Flach’s goal and Andre Blake’s goalkeeping heroics. Philadelphia went undefeated at home this year (12W-0L-5D record) and had both the league’s best defense (26 goals against) and goal differential (+46).
The defending MLS Cup champions, NYCFC, have looked comfortable in their playoff path, steamrolling Inter Miami CF 3-0 in Round One before earning a 3-1 win at CF Montréal in the Conference Semifinals. NYCFC has won six straight games since lifting the Campeones Cup over Liga MX’s Atlas and doesn’t seem to be slowing down despite some injury concerns.
During the regular season, the Union won both matchups against NYCFC, giving them some extra confidence going into the Conference Final. NYCFC may have the disadvantage coming into the match, but they are the most in-form team in the postseason. Both teams have a damn near equal chance to make it to the Final, but in this MLS fixtures, Philadelphia edges it over NYCFC.
LAFC (-250) vs. Austin FC (+400)
Date, time (TV):
Streaming: ABC, ESPN Deportes
Location: Banc of California Stadium
Austin FC makes the trip west to LA to take on Supporter Shield winners, LAFC. Austin makes history as they make the Conference Finals for the first time, and LAFC makes it for the first time since 2019. Both teams made it to the MLS Conference Finals after winning their respective derby matches.
Carrying their second Supporters’ Shield title in four years, LAFC won El Trafico’s latest thrilling chapter, earning a 3-2 victory over the LA Galaxy in the Conference Semifinals. First, a brace from Denis Bouanga got them going, then Cristian Arango’s 93rd-minute game-winner made the difference – even as Gareth Bale missed out to a leg injury and Carlos Vela was subbed off for muscle cramps.
Josh Wolff and Austin FC had a tough time with Real Salt Lake in the first round, drawing 2-2 despite playing a man up for almost 70 minutes before winning a penalty shootout. However, they looked far more comfortable in the Conference Semifinals against FC Dallas as Sebastian Driussi put on another MVP-level performance to secure a 2-1 win.
LAFC has been the betting and the more consistent team all season, hence their Supporters’ Shield, but Austin has been their kryptonite.
In the regular season, Austin FC put on two dominant displays against LAFC. The first is a 2-1 win in LA and the second is a 4-1 destruction at home. LAFC has been the betting and the more consistent team all season, hence their Supporters’ Shield, but Austin has been their kryptonite. LAFC is the favorite, but it would not be a bad bet to go with Austin FC.
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