At the onset of the 2020 MLS season, there was a sense of optimism and anticipation unseen in the past. Major League Soccer betting has struggled for two decades to gain a foothold on the United States sports landscape. The so-called “Big Four” of the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL have not had their status cracked. Once in awhile NASCAR or UFC flirted with making it into the “Big Five” but never quite got there. All of which makes the current COVID-19 schedule suspension for action with the MLS betting odds so disappointing.
| 2020 MLS Championship Odds: | LAFC 3/1, Seattle Sounders 8/1, Atlanta United FC 10/1, NYCFC 10/1, Toronto FC 12/1, LA Galaxy 14/1, Minnesota United FC 16/1, New York Red Bulls 20/1, Montreal Impact 20/1, Columbus Crew 25/1, Portland Timbers 25/1, New England Revolution 25/1, DC United 25/1, Philadelphia Union 25/1, Real Salt Lake 30/1, Sporting Kansas City 30/1, FC Dallas 30/1, San Jose Earthquakes 40/1, Colorado Rapids 40/1, Houston Dynamo 60/1, Chicago Fire 60/1, Orlando City SC 80/1, Inter Miami CF 100/1, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 100/1, FC Cincinnati 150/1, Nashville SC 200/1 |
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Immediate Impact of COVID-19 MLS 2020 Schedule Suspension
There was a sense that this would be the year that the MLS cracked the wall. Certainly, the league has gained an undeniable increase in attention. Major League Soccer is much more prevalent on television and on the sportsbook board than at any other time in its history. In particular, ESPN has been aggressive about growing the MLS brand and audience for its matches on the network. With the current schedule suspension, all is not necessarily lost. Soccer fans are fanatically loyal and will return. Furthermore, March Madness would have dominated the next month for sports fans and gambling attention.
Expansion Teams Face Increased Anticipation
Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC were the two new entries for Major League Soccer in 2020. Anticipation has been high for the start of the season and these two new franchises. So far, the impact of the COVID-19 schedule suspension has not dampened enthusiasm for the fans and interest in these two new cities. Contrarily fans are taking the news in a positive light saying “what’s another month.” Unlike a player strike or owner lockout in which fans can become angry everyone understands that this situation is nobody’s fault.
MLS Betting Remains Open
Most important of all from a gambling perspective you can still get futures action with the MLS betting odds. Gamblers can bet on who the final MLS champion will be. Casual gamblers not that familiar with soccer or the MLS may find futures betting much to their like as it is a simpler way to wager compared to trying to handicap games. Subsequently, information is readily available on how the teams stack up. And a futures bet gives the casual fan action all year on the MLS by making just a single bet.
Where Things Stand at the COVID-19 Suspension
Atlanta United FC was the 2018 MLS champion and remains a top favorite. Hence, they bolted out of the gate with two wins in their first two games. And led the Eastern Conference. By contrast, the Western Conference featured three undefeated teams. Sporting Kansas City, Minnesota United FC, and Colorado Rapids impressed with their 2-0 stars to the 2020 campaign.