Eight teams are left in the MLS Cup Playoffs heading into the November international break. With a two-week pause in playoff action, it’s a great time to take a look at the MLS Cup Futures odds.
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi scored five goals in three games against Nashville SC in the first round of the playoffs. So, it’s no surprise that Inter Miami are one of the favorites to win the title. However, stay tuned to find out if they’re our best bet as we take a closer look at the MLS Cup Futures.
MLS Cup Futures Odds: Favorites
The single-elimination structure of the rest of the MLS Cup playoffs means that nearly anything can happen. There is also no clear favorite to go on and take home the title, which has been won by seven different teams in the last eight seasons.
Philadelphia Union (+333) show the shortest odds to win the MLS Cup but they’ve never won the trophy in team history. The Supporters’ Shield winners took care of business against the Chicago Fire in two games in the first round and have a favorable Conference Semifinal matchup against NYCFC.
However, they’re only a couple of months removed from an embarrassing 7-0 loss at the hands of the Vancouver Whitecaps, which was the biggest loss in club history.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami sit at +350 MLS Cup Futures odds to win their first MLS Cup, and they looked the part in Game 3 against Nashville. Messi and Tadeo Allende both got on the scoresheet twice in the 4-0 series-clinching win.
Messi is the league’s obvious MVP. He has scored 34 goals and provided 17 assists this season. A difficult Conference Semifinal matchup against FC Cincinnati awaits, though. Cincinnati have had Inter Miami’s number over the last few seasons, only losing one of the last nine 90-minute meetings.
Contenders
Since joining the Vancouver Whitecaps, Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller has hit the ground running. The legendary forward has nine goals and four assists in just 10 appearances. In those games, which include the Canadian Championship, the Whitecaps have seven wins, two draws, and just one loss.
Vancouver lost just seven MLS games all season, the fewest in the league, and are at +450 odds to win the MLS Cup Playoffs.
San Diego FC have had a massively successful first season in MLS. They finished level on points with the Vancouver Whitecaps for first place in the Western Conference. Danish international Anders Dreyer has been an absolute revelation as well.
Dreyer scored twice in Sunday’s 4-0 win over the Portland Timbers. He has also put up a ridiculous 39 goal contributions in 37 games this season. SDFC also have home-field advantage in the Western Conference playoffs.
San Diego currently come in at +500 to win the title in their first-ever MLS campaign.
LAFC, at +600 MLS Cup Futures odds, won the MLS Cup in 2022 in the days of Carlos Vela and Gareth Bale. They’re only three games away from a second title in four seasons, but getting past Vancouver is going to be difficult.
Thankfully, they added Son Heung-min in the Summer transfer window and are unbeaten in their last eight matches. It’s a shame LAFC take on Vancouver in the next round, as both teams are among the league’s best.
Longshots
If you’d like to bet on FC Cincinnati to win the MLS Cup, now would be the time to do so. Their +800 MLS Cup Futures odds are long because they have to face Inter Miami, but it is a home game for Cincinnati.
With Messi and Luis Suarez in the lineup, FC Cincinnati destroyed Inter Miami 3-0 at TQL Stadium in July. They’ll feel like they can go all the way in the playoffs.
Brazilian midfielder Evander Ferreira was one of the league’s best players in the regular season. He’ll need to have a big game if Cincinnati, who lost to Columbus 4-0 in Game 2 of the first round, are going to win.
New York City FC managed two wins, a draw, and two losses against the other remaining Eastern Conference playoff teams this season. They’re far from the most consistent team left. Still, they can cause Philadelphia trouble in a one-off game.
When NYCFC won their only MLS Cup title in 2021, they finished in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, they won two penalty shootouts, including in the MLS Cup final. NYCFC has the USA’s number one keeper, Matt Freese, and they’ve got a shot to make a run. Still, they’re only at +1100 odds to win the MLS Cup.
Giving up seven goals in three first-round games doesn’t bode well for Minnesota United. MNUFC conceded just 39 goals in 34 regular-season games, but Seattle managed to find gaps.
Currently, Minnesota United are at +1600 odds to win the MLS Cup. They’ll likely struggle to get past the high-scoring teams remaining in the Western Conference.
MLS Cup Futures Odds: Best Bet
Anything can happen over the next few weeks, but there’s one team that stands out to me here. The Vancouver Whitecaps had the best season in team history, setting club records for wins (18), points (63), goal difference (28), and road wins (8).
Since adding Thomas Müller, they’ve been great, and their only loss came after they went down to 10 men early in the regular-season finale a few weeks ago. Müller is also a proven winner. He is a 13-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich, and a World Cup winner.
Striker Brian White also scored 16 goals in 21 appearances this season. He could also return from an injury before the November 22nd Conference Semifinal game at home against LAFC.
Vancouver managed a win and a draw against LAFC in the regular season, and I think they have an edge. They also beat Inter Miami twice in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, even before Müller joined.
The Whitecaps also beat Philadelphia, the MLS Cup favorites, 7-0 in September. In 2025, Vancouver have compiled a record of five wins, three draws, and just one loss against the remaining teams.
Bet on Vancouver’s +450 MLS Cup Futures odds to win their first-ever MLS title.
Best Bet: Vancouver Whitecaps (+450)
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