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Whether it’s the five-titles LA Galaxy, four-titles DC United or another club, the MLS’ near-three-decade history has featured elite squads since the outset.
MLS Greats
The 2025 MLS season is in the books, with the 30 MLS teams (15 in the Eastern Conference, 15 in the West each playing a 10-month, 34-game regular-season schedule (17 home, 17 road).
The final MLS standings saw the Philadelphia Union (66 points) atop the East with a record of 20 wins, six draws, and eight loses. Philly was one point better than both FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF
Over in the West, San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC each ended with 63 points, the former earning honors with one more victory (19-8) in MLS standings during the season.
As of this early-November writing, the second season is in full swing. That means participants and ‘punters’ all have their eyes on the prize, the MLS Cup.
Now, a bit of a history lesson is warranted. There’ve been a number of outstanding teams in the 29-season annals of Major League Soccer. Start with the LA Galaxy and their record five MLS Cups. That is one more than DC United.
Also of note (alphabetically) are the Columbus Crew, Seattle Sounders, and Sporting Kansas City, each with two Cups.
Looking at dominant teams in the history of MLS, that quintet is a good place to start.
Here’s a bit of a primer on the 2025 MLS playoffs…
How Do Playoffs Work in the MLS?
There were 18 of the 30 MLS teams who made the playoffs, nine out of each conference. It’s the top seven seeds automatically making it the best-of-three first round of the competition, while the eighth- and ninth-seeds do battle (single-elimination) as wild-card participants.
The wild-card winners advance to play the top-seeded teams in each conference, thus completing the 16-team opening round. As was mentioned, that’s a best-of-three. Survivors then move to the late-November conference semifinals and finals.
Then, the MLS Cup title game goes December 6th, hosted by the team with the better record during the regular season. That completes the 2025 MLS schedule.
What is the MLS Playoff Format in 2025?
As was mentioned, 18 of the 30 MLS teams made the in-progress playoffs this season, nine out of each conference. It was top seven seeds (plus wild-card winner) comprising the best-of-three first round, Survivors (Philadelphia Union, New York City FC, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami in East, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, LAFC, Minnesota United FC and San Diego FC in West) then advanced to the late-November conference semifinals and finals.
Then, the MLS Cup title game goes on December 6th, hosted by the team with the better record during the regular season.
How Many MLS Teams Qualify for the Playoffs?
Eighteen, nine out of each conference.
Soccer is always quite a popular wagering option on the board, including MLS championship odds. Currently, it’s the Philadelphia Union as the 13-4 (+325) MLS odds favorite to win the Cup, Inter Miami FC at 4-1 (+400), Vancouver Whitecaps next at 5-1 (+500), San Diego FC at 11-2 (+550) and LAFC at 6-1 (+600).
Rounding out the board are FC Cincinnati (7-1, [+700]), New York City FC (10-1, [+1000]), and Minnesota United (16-1, [+1600]).
Remember that MLS betting odds are fluid, so it’s important to do homework before wagering.
Any Final Thoughts?
MLS odds and MLS betting odds have their share of rabid fans throughout the season. Expect even more eyes on the ‘pitch’ during the excitement of the playoffs.
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
