MLS odds – Columbus Crew look to repeat as MLS champs
MLS odds fans are preparing for another exciting season of Major League Soccer action, as the Columbus Crew look to defend their title. BetOnline.com has all the MLS betting you need to enjoy “the beautiful game”. Here’s a look at some of the key teams to watch for as you’re making your MLS sports betting picks on the pitch this year.
MLS odds: MVP Scheletto, Columbus expect to repeat
- Crew bring back almost all of championship team
- Seattle breaks into the Major League Soccer
- Real, Chivas look to upend Houston in the West
Columbus is led by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who won the MVP award while pulling the strings from midfield, while Alejandro Moreno is back to fill the net. With a stellar defense, the Crew are a solid bet to make noise on sportsbook odds again this year.
The Chicago Fire finished second to Columbus in the East last year before losing to the Crew in the semifinals. They are powered by forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who says this will be his last season in the “Windy City”. The Fire had the MLS’s best defense last year but, with players like Blanco, Brian McBride and Chris Rolfe, the Fire need to score more goals to boost their MLS betting chances.
New York rolled to the MLS Final as the lowest seed in the West before falling to Columbus. Juan Pablo Angel returns to try and fire this team to the playoffs again, but the defense simply has to improve: the Red Bull gave up the second-most goals in the East.
Seattle doesn’t look like your ordinary expansion team, and the squad will look to the veteran experience of Freddie Ljungberg, who starred for Arsenal in Europe. Freddy Montero will also be counted for goals, but he began the season with some legal problems. If Seattle’s defense can hold up, they could be a huge MLS betting surprise this year.
Of course, if you’re going to bet on soccer odds, you have to mention David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy. However, the Beckham saga could prove to be a distraction to a club that barely needs it, as they finished last in the West in 2008. At least Galaxy games were exciting: they led the league in scoring, paced by Landon Donovan. The team also allowed the most goals in the entire league.
Houston lost Dwayne DeRosario, as he headed back to his hometown of Toronto, and the team will miss his goal-scoring ability in the West. Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake will look to take advantage of Houston’s loss.
For more MLS betting and analysis on MLS odds throughout the season, bookmark the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
Are you a fan of “The Beautiful Game”? Then you should try Todd Shale's “Beautiful picks”. Though he enjoys a good rugby match, Todd is happiest when he can handicap a great soccer match - or football match, as he prefers to call it. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
