The MLS Cup isn’t won in March, but the chase for glory is already underway. The 2025 campaign got off to a blockbuster start when an Anders Dreyer brace secured a 2-0 victory for new boys San Diego away at the reigning champion Los Angeles Galaxy on the opening weekend. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Last season, Atlanta United shocked the heavy favorites to win the championship in the form of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. However, they have struggled in their start to the new term, winning just one of their opening five games, despite the return of superstar Miguel Almiron from English Premier League giants Newcastle United. The aforementioned Galaxy, meanwhile, are without a victory in their five openers, and the return of their talisman Riqui Puig from a devastating ACL injury can’t come quickly enough.
Despite only a handful of games being played so far this season, the bookies already have their frontrunners priced up, declaring who they think will emerge with the MLS Cup in November. So, let’s find out who they are, and whether the predictions look to be accurate.
Inter Miami
Last season, Inter Miami was the overwhelming favorite among online sports betting sites to be crowned champions. 2025 is no different, with online sports betting at Bovada pricing them as the short-priced +325 frontrunners once again, and for good reason.
Their addition of Lionel Messi just over 18 months ago was a gob-smacker, and it took MLS by storm. The team over at the popular At Odds podcast discussed just how impressive his return of seven goals in his first four games was, and how crucial the Argentinian genius was in resurrecting the Floridian side’s fortunes. When he first joined, the team was rock bottom of the standings, but Messi propelled them to Leagues Cup glory almost immediately.
Last season, they strengthened further, bringing in Messi’s former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba to create somewhat of a dream team. The results were immediate, winning the Supporters Shield in record-breaking fashion while Messi continued to look his imperious best even at the ripe old age of 37.
However, despite their regular season heroics, the David Beckham-owned franchise crumbled under the bright lights. They were dumped out by the Eastern Conference ninth-seed Atlanta United in the very first round of the playoffs, losing 3-2 in the deciding third leg in Fort Lauderdale thanks to Bartosz Slisz’s late winner. Now, they are on the hunt for redemption.
Miami has started the new campaign impressively, winning three of their first four games and drawing the other. However, their crucial quartet is advancing in years, and it may well be now or never if they are to take the MLS Cup to Chase Stadium.
Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC has been a perennial favorite ever since its inception back in 2014. Superstars such as Carlos Vela, Gareth Bale, and Giorgio Chiellini led them to back-to-back MLS Cup finals in 2022 and 2023, winning the first against the Philadelphia Union thrillingly before losing their crown the following year. Now, their three previous superstars have all left, but they have been replaced with World Cup winners Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud, as well as former Leicester City man Cengiz Under, and the Californians mean business once again.
Last season, LAFC dropped the Western Conference for the second time in three seasons, but their MLS Cup dream ended in the quarterfinals. This year, they have started well once more, winning three of their opening five games to secure a spot in third place out West. They will be aiming to build on their promising start and will be gunning to secure their spot in a mouthwatering Final against Messi’s Miami later this year, with the bookies making them a +700 to go all the way.
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is the MLS’ oldest and arguably most storied team. They have reached four MLS Cup finals, winning three of them, including most recently against LAFC in 2023. While their odds of +1400 are some way behind the leading duo, don’t sleep on their chances of making noise this season.
They ended last season with the second-best record in the entire league, only bettered by the record-breaking Miami. This season, they are aiming to go one better. The backbone of their spark? Diego Rossi. The Uruguayan playmaker has been central to nearly every attacking move for the Crew this term, connecting the strings between attack and midfield and proving to be a nightmare to defend against. He already has two goals to his name this season, so expect him to score and assist many more before the season is out.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Vancouver Whitecaps are a fascinating story entering 2025. Historically a team hovering just outside the league’s elite, they’ve stepped up their game this season with statement wins that have turned heads. They began the season with four straight victories, scoring nine goals in the process and conceding just two. Their midfield duo of one-time wonderkid Ryan Gauld and Andrés Cubas has been sensational, combining creativity with relentless energy.
But it is the Scottish maestro Gauld who is the crucial figure to any success the BC side will have. He is the club’s captain and talisman and when he plays well, so does his team. He was an MVP contender last season and he has started the new campaign in similar form.
Without him though, they struggle, as their 3-1 defeat at home to the lowly Chicago Fire proved on matchday five. If he remains fit and healthy, he could lead his side to glory. If not, expect Vancouver to struggle to live up to their billing as the +1400 joint-third-favorite.