MLS returns from Leagues Cup break: Latest odds for Red Bulls and NYCFC
July 30, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Elias Manoel (11) celebrates his goal with midfielder Lewis Morgan (9) during the second half against Pachuca at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The final stretch of the 2024 MLS season begins this weekend when America’s top soccer league returns from its month-long Leagues Cup break.
There are only nine games left until the start of the playoffs and both New York teams – the Red Bulls and NYCFC – are comfortably in the Eastern Conference playoff spots.
NYCFC has been one of the most inconsistent teams in MLS this season, losing each of its first three games of the season but responding with three-game and five-game winning streaks since then. There was a malaise before the Leagues Cup break with three straight draws, but New York still sits fifth in the East with 38 points.
The top nine players advance to the playoffs, while the 8th and 9th seeds play a wildcard game in single elimination format.
The Red Bulls are three points ahead of NYCFC, having lost just four of their first 25 games this season. The problem is that they are not scoring goals consistently enough, even though they are one of the more dangerous attacking teams when it comes to creating chances.
The Red Bulls have not lost in eight games, but have only managed to win two. In fact, they have more draws (11) than wins (10) this year.
Admittedly, both New York clubs are on the wrong side of the class gap between the very best teams in the Eastern Conference and the rest of the table. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are 12 points ahead of the Red Bulls in first place with 53 points, while FC Cincinnati are five points behind on 48.
The reigning MLS Cup winner Columbus Crew is only two points ahead of the Red Bulls, but has also played two games less.
If things stay the same, the Red Bulls would face NYCFC in the first round of the playoffs in a best-of-three format.
Odds for the 2024 MLS Cup winner
- Inter Miami +175
- LAFC +500
- LA Galaxy +900
- Columbus crew +1100
- FC Cincinnati +1100
- Real salt lake +1200
- New York Red Bulls +2000
- Vancouver Whitecaps +2200
- NYCFC +2500
- Houston Dynamo +3500
- Colorado Rapids +4000
- Charlotte FC +4000
- Portland Timbers +5000
- Seattle Sounders +5000
- Orlando City +6500
- Minnesota United +6500
- Philadelphia Union +8000
- Atlanta United +8000
- CF Montreal +10000
- Austin FC +10000
- Toronto FC +10000
- St. Louis City SC +10000
- DC United +10000
- New England Revolution +15000
- Chicago Fire +15000
- Nashville SC +15000
- Sporting KC +15000
- FC Dallas +15000
- Earthquake in San José +50000
Odds courtesy of DraftKings. For more information, click here.
For more information on the Red Bulls and NYCFC, visit AMNY.com.
