The MLS season is set to return after an amazing season last year, in which Gareth Bale scored the final goal of his club career to take the game to penalties to help Los Angeles FC claim the title.
This year there are set to be several teams making a push towards title contention, with new stars and big transfers taking place during the off-season to strengthen the teams around them.
We'll take a look ahead to the new season and provide you with our best free soccer picks to see if we can earn you some extra cash ahead of what is set to be an exciting Major League Soccer season.
| MLS Cup 2023 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles FC | +450 | +450 | +450 |
| Philadelphia Union | +600 | +700 | +630 |
| New York City FC | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| CF Montreal | +1100 | +1200 | +1175 |
| LA Galaxy | +1200 | +1200 | +1075 |
| New York Red Bulls | +1200 | +1200 | +1350 |
Learn more about how to bet on the MLS here.
MLS Cup 2023 favorites
Below is a list of the favorites to win the 2023 MLS Cup with our popular bookmakers.
Los Angeles FC - (+450)
Los Angeles FC secured the 2022 Supporters’ Shield in style, winning 21 of their 34 regular-season games. After that, Steve Cherundolo’s side dispatched LA Galaxy and Austin FC in the playoffs before beating the Philadelphia Union in the MLS Cup Final.
Cristian Arango racked up 16 goals and four assists last season, while Carlos Vela bagged 12 goals and nine assists. They have lost the experience and quality of Gareth Bale, who retired after the World Cup in November, but have added highly regarded defender Aaron Long and Croatian winger Stipe Biuk.
With that said the team will have the difficult task of competing in the Champions League and that has proven to be a tough task for previous MLS Cup winners.
LAFC will surely be in the playoffs because of the quality in their squad, but the early season continental commitments could leave them plenty of ground to make up to win the West.
Boasting the deadliest attack in the league, LAFC will be difficult to stop in 2023. But considering back-to-back MLS Cup wins has only happened three times, the odds look too short right now.
Check out our review for Bovada sports betting here.
MLS picks: Philadelphia Union - (+700)
There is no denying that Philadelphia was the second-best team in Major League Soccer last year. The Union suffered just five losses in 34 regular-season games before pushing LAFC all the way in the MLS Cup Final.
Not only were Jim Curtin’s men the top scorers in 2022, but they were also the team with the best defensive record. With serious firepower at both ends of the pitch, Philly will be confident of mounting another challenge for the trophy.
Curtin’s men can count themselves very unfortunate to have missed out on silverware last season. After all, they finished level with LAFC on 67 points before losing the MLS Cup Final on penalties because of a 128th minute goal.
Considering their season records last season, and how close they've come in the last two seasons, it seems like they're now primed to go all the way and finally secure silverware.
Check out our review for BetUS sports betting here.
New York City FC - (+800)
After winning the 2021 MLS Cup, New York City finished fifth in last season’s overall standings. However, they ended up falling to Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Final.
NYCFC is led by a trio of young Brazilian attackers – Talles Magno, Thiago Andrade and Gabriel Pereira. The South American stars contributed a bucketload of goals and assists last year and look set to enjoy even more success in 2023.
The 2021 champion franchise has lost a number of key players including Heber and Santi Rodriguez, while it still hasn’t fully recovered from losing Maxi Morales at a key stage of last season.
If they were to win a second title in three years it would be a huge shock, so they're best avoided.
New York Red Bulls - (+1350)
Of the New York teams, the Red Bulls look in better shape then NYCFC.
The Red Bulls lost Aaron Long but the new additions look useful, including forwards Cory Burke from Philadelphia and $5.5 million signing Dante Vanzeir from Belgium, and the franchise will be keen to do better than last season’s first round playoff exit.
This is not a team that can win a Conference or an MLS Cup, but it can outperform its city rivals at best.
Inter Miami CF - (+2500)
David Beckham's team have taken a step forward towards success this season, adding the prolific Josef Martinez to their squad after he left Atlanta United at the end of his contract.
Inter Miami also spent around $3 million on transfers in January, signing a couple of talented players from Europe like Leonardo Campana from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Corentin Jean from Lens.
Them pushing on to win a title this year seems like a long shot, and it probably is, but with rumors that they could sign Lionel Messi in mid-season when his deal expires at PSG in the summer, their odds will surely drop so this could be the best price to get them at.
