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The red headed step child of North American sports has its own championship taking shape as the MLS Cup Playoffs are down to the final four teams.
SportsBetting.ag has been offering Cup odds throughout the tournament, and the latest numbers show a decisive favorite.
The Conference Finals games will be played this Sunday October 30 on ABC and FS1.
Cristian Arango struck a dramatic stoppage time winner as Los Angeles FC beat LA Galaxy 3-2 in the MLS Western Conference semi-final on Thursday.
"This team is very focused and we will be ready for the next game and hoping for a final here," LA head coach Steve Cherundolo said.
"The game was an advertisement for MLS, that is MLS at its best, although for coaches maybe not so great," he added.
"Lots of goals, excitement and passion with two teams going at each other and it took our best to beat them," said Cherundolo.
Austin FC had finally beaten FC Dallas on their sixth attempt to advance into the Western Conference Final.
“The culmination of four years,” said ATX head coach Josh Wolff after his side’s 2-1 victory over their Texas rivals. “Four years of work, of building this thing. I told [owner and CEO] Anthony [Precourt] last week, I was like, man, if you dreamt of it looking like this, it's exceeding expectations.
“Tonight's atmosphere was incredible. It was incredible. But to Anthony, Eddie [Margain], again, much thanks and appreciation goes to them. They charted this path for us and obviously put us in an unbelievable space, in front of the most incredible fans in the greatest stadium in the league, and they’re much appreciated for that.”
Philadelphia has its Phillies playing in this year's World Series and their Union is set to face off against New York FC in the MLS Eastern Conference Final. This will be a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference final, one they lost.
Top-seeded Philadelphia is expected to be healthy with the possible exception of captain Alejandro Bedoya. He is questionable due to a hip injury.
The team claimed the first spot into the Conference Finals on Thursday with a victory against FC Cincinnati.
The defending MLS champs NYCFC breezed past CF Montreal 3-1 at Stade Saputo using goals from Maxi Moralez, Heber, and Talles Magno to earn its second victory this playoff run.
“We had a lot of momentum,” New York FC coach Nick Cushing said postmatch, having beaten Inter Miami and CF Montreal to make it this far. “The last two playoff games have shown two sides to our game. Against [Inter] Miami, we were dominant. Against [CF] Montreal, we played on the counterattack. We showed that we can suffer and defend the box. I think that gives everybody a lift because as long as we play in the moment, we have a good chance against anybody.
“I think playoff games can throw anything at us,” he added. “Like I said, against [Inter] Miami, we had control of the game, we managed to score beautiful goals and came off the pitch with high confidence. In comparison to today, we had to suffer and play on the counterattack. I knew the game would be 50-50 because I think they [CF Montreal] are an exceptional team. They are really well coached, and play good football. They can go down both sides of the pitch, cross it and score. They can go direct with pace. I think we have learned that as long as we play in the moment and stay logical, and don’t get emotional and desperate, then we can get over the line and win in any way.”
MLS Cup Odds
Los Angeles FC +100
Philadelphia Union +225
New York City FC +450
Austin FC +700
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
