It may not feel like it, but we’re roughly halfway through the MLS season. While some teams have undoubtedly distinguished themselves as bonafide MLS Cup contenders, the standings at the top of both conferences remain tight. It’s hard to find a team that’s head and shoulders better than everyone else, so the race for the title remains wide open.
Since we know a lot about each team yet the race remains open, this is one of the best times of year to get favorable odds for betting on the MLS Cup champion. There are plenty of platforms to place MLS wagers, including Betway Sportsbook. Don’t hesitate to read a Betway review before placing a wager there so you can learn all about its pros and cons.
Likewise, before deciding what team you think will win MLS Cup in 2024, it’s good to take a closer look at where each side stands midway through the season. Let’s take a deep dive into the top MLS Cup contenders at the midway point of the 2024 season.
Inter Miami
Since the second Lionel Messi signed with Inter Miami last summer, they’ve been the favorite to win MLS Cup in 2024. However, this is anything but a foregone conclusion. Miami has allowed more goals this season than almost any other serious contender, so defense is a question mark for them. Inter is also going through a rough patch right before Messi leaves for Copa America, so there are some questions about this team right now, leaving the door open for other teams.
LAFC
Following a 1-0 win over Dallas in early June, LAFC extended its winning streak to seven games across all competitions. But even better than winning seven in a row is keeping six straight clean sheets. Steve Cherundolo’s team has one of the best defensive records in MLS. We all know that defense wins championships, which makes LAFC a bonafide contender and a serious threat to beat Messi and company if they face Inter Miami in MLS Cup.
Real Salt Lake
With the best goal difference in MLS, Salt Lake has to be viewed as a championship threat. Defensively, they might not be as strong as some other teams. But this team can score goals at a high clip, led by Cristian Arango, who has scored 16 goals in 17 matches. He also leads the team in assists while Andres Gomez, Diego Luna, and others provide quality depth. Given that depth, Real Salt Lake has enough match-winners to make a deep run when the playoffs arrive.
New York Red Bulls
In the current standings, the Red Bulls may not stand out that much. But this is one of the most balanced teams in the league. Defensively, there have been some lapses at times. But NYRB has strung together some quality performances in recent weeks, so they’re a team on the rise. The key could be Swedish international Emil Forsberg, who is still getting settled in MLS but has a chance to raise his level as we get deeper into the season, lifting the Red Bulls up at the same time.
FC Cincinnati
At the moment, Cincinnati might have the best chance to unseat Miami from the top spot in the Eastern Conference. With a backline that includes Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, and DeAndre Yedlin, Cincinnati has a championship-caliber defense. With a little more production from its attacking players, Cincinnati could become a far more dangerous team. Keep in mind they aren’t far removed from a seven-game winning streak, which is a sign that this is a team that can go on a run during the playoffs.
Columbus Crew
It’s possible we haven’t seen the best that the Crew has to offer this season. Keep in mind they had to balance the MLS season with their deep run in CONCACAF Champions League during the first half of the season. While the Champions League final didn’t go their way, the Crew is now free to focus solely on the domestic season, which should help. Prior to that loss to Pachua, the Crew racked up three straight wins in league play. Of course, this is another team that has some offensive shortcomings. On the other hand, Columbus might have the best defense in the league, making them a championship contender.
LA Galaxy
The Galaxy is the textbook definition of a deep sleeper to win MLS Cup. Consistency has been an issue, as Los Angeles has had some disappointing results but also had some top-notch performances. There is also a possibility that they could add Marco Reus to the squad later this summer, potentially giving the Galaxy a boost. If they can somehow put everything together and become more consistent, this is a team that can beat anybody.