The MLS Cup Playoffs odds Quarterfinals did not disappoint. There was drama in every match, which has set up even more action-packed Conference Semifinals matches. The odds have been updated, and the teams have been placed in their MLS bracket.
Who will make it that much closer to lifting the MLS Cup?
We will be focusing on the teams playing on Thursday, 10/20. Then, look out for another article for the teams who play on Sunday.
Quarterfinal Overview
FC Cincinnati and LA Galaxy will take on the two MLS Cup Playoffs odds favorites, LAFC and Philadelphia Union, respectively. Here is how the two underdogs fared in their previous matchups leading up to the semi-finals:
FC Cincinnati 2 – 1 New York Red Bulls
After years of mediocrity, Cincinnati has finally gotten itself out of its hole. A front office overhaul and new recruiting led to this moment—their first-ever playoff win against a storied and historic MLS side. Vazquez, Acosta, and Brenner’s trio proved too much for NY Red Bulls as Cincy came from behind to advance to the conference semis.
LA Galaxy 1 – 0 Nashville SC
The Galaxy defense stopped Hany Mukhtar, who had just one shot all match, and helped lead the team to a 1-0 win over Nashville. It was a battle of the defenses as Nashville limited LA to only seven shots all match as well. Yet after Video Review disallowed a Chicharito goal early in the second half, Julian Araujo found the breakthrough for the hosts at the hour mark.
Qualified Teams
The MLS Cup Playoffs Odds will work the same as the previous season, with the current single-elimination format providing the league with many compelling matchups. A total of eight teams qualify for the Conference Semifinals and take one step closer to lifting the MLS Cup on Nov. 5.
Like always, the No. 1 seed in each conference earned a first-round bye and qualified directly to the second round, while every other team takes the field in the first round. The team with the best regular season record hosts every MLS matchup, including the MLS soccer schedule Cup final.
Here are the eight qualified teams and their updated MLS betting odds of winning the MLS Cup:
Eastern Conference
- Philadelphia Union   (+100)
- CF Montreal         (+400)
- New York City FC Â Â Â Â (+600)
- FC Cinncinatti       (+2500)
Western Conference
- LAFCÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (+100)
- Austin FC Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (+700)
- FC Dallas           (+1300)
- LA Galaxy          (+1000)
Semifinal Matchup and MLS Betting Odds
Philadelphia Union (-250) vs. FC Cincinnati (+400)
Philadelphia is an odds-on MLS Cup favorite after a torrid regular season ended with them finishing as the East’s No. 1 seed and a blistering +46 goal differential.
- When:
- Watch: FS1, FOX Deportes
- Location: Subaru Park
Philadelphia is an odds-on MLS Cup favorite after a torrid regular season ended with them finishing as the East’s No. 1 seed and a blistering +46 goal differential. However, they draw an FC Cincinnati side riding a wave of confidence after securing the club’s first-ever playoff victory. Cincinnati also boasts one of the league’s most fearsome attacking trios in Acosta, Brenner, and Vazquez.
Despite how much you may want to root for the underdog, the safe bet will have to go in favor of the Philadelphia Union. You can’t go wrong with the favorites, even if betting on a team like Cincinnati at +400 looks tempting.
LAFC (-300) vs. LA Galaxy (+500)
- When: (10 pm ET)
- Watch: FS1, FOX Deportes
- Location: Banc of California Stadium
A neutral couldn’t have asked for a better MLC Cup Playoff match, which will see LAFC host the LA Galaxy for a mammoth El Trafico derby on October 20. Naturally, LAFC is the favorite, given their status as Supporters’ Shield winners and sporting arguably the league’s most loaded roster. However, anyone who’s watched El Trafico over the years knows that the Galaxy can turn these occasions into a toss-up.
On the surface, it’s a mismatch. LAFC won the Supporters Shield for the second time in four years, while Greg Vanney’s side is back in the playoffs for only the second time since 2016.
But LAFC showed apparent defensive vulnerabilities late in the regular season, going 3W-5L-1 in their final nine games. The Galaxy enters Thursday’s contest losing just one of their last 10.
Steve Cherundolo’s side remains the clear favorite, to be sure; the sports book gives LAFC the best odds of moving on to the Western Conference final against either Austin or Dallas.
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