MLS
Betting Guide
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, MLS has seen a dramatic surge in betting interest. The league runs a non-traditional February-to-December calendar and culminates in the MLS Cup playoffs.
What You Should Know
- 30 teams across Eastern and Western conferences
- Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023
- 34-match regular season
- MLS Cup Playoffs format uses single-elim and two-leg series
- 2025 MLS Cup champion: LA Galaxy
How to Bet on MLS
The main MLS markets you'll find at any legal US sportsbook, with a one-line take on each.
3-Way Moneyline
Home win, draw, or away win. MLS draw rates run lower than the EPL (~22%) due to higher-scoring matches and home-field advantage.
Over/Under Goals
MLS totals run higher than European leagues (typical 2.75-3 line) because of more open play and weaker defensive structure across most clubs.
Anytime Goalscorer
Most popular MLS player prop. Lionel Messi at Inter Miami consistently sits at -110 to +110 anytime goal, the lowest in the league.
MLS Cup Futures
MLS Cup winner futures. The single-elimination playoff format creates higher variance than the EPL, so middle-of-the-table teams at +1500 sometimes pay off.
Conference Winner
Eastern and Western Conference futures. Useful for hedging title bets when a club gets to the conference final.
MLS Season Calendar
- Feb: Season kickoff
- Mar–Jul: Regular season
- Jul–Aug: Leagues Cup (paused regular season)
- Sep–Oct: Playoff push
- Oct–Nov: MLS Cup Playoffs
- Early Dec: MLS Cup Final
Most-Bet MLS Markets
The markets that drive the bulk of MLS handle at US books.
- MLS Cup winner
- Supporters Shield (best regular-season record)
- Eastern/Western Conference
- Golden Boot
- Anytime goalscorer
MLS Betting FAQ
When does the MLS season run?
February through December, opposite of European leagues. 34 regular-season matches per club, then a 9-week single-elimination playoff capped by MLS Cup in early December.
Has Messi changed MLS betting?
Yes. Inter Miami became one of the most-bet MLS clubs in the league after Messi joined in 2023. Anytime-goal and 2+ goal props on Messi see far higher handle than any other MLS player market.
What is the Supporters Shield?
Awarded to the team with the best regular-season record, regardless of playoff result. A separate futures market from MLS Cup. Often easier to handicap because it rewards consistent regular-season form.
Are MLS markets as deep as EPL?
No. MLS has fewer prop markets, fewer alt lines, and tighter limits at most US books. bet365 and DraftKings carry the deepest MLS menus available in the US.