MLS Cup Futures: Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami favored over LAFC

With the Olympics break underway, there won’t be any Major League Soccer action again until late August. With that in mind, it’s a perfect time to look at the MLS Cup futures. By no surprise, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are the current favorites to lift the grand prize later this year, but LAFC isn’t far behind. The Los Angeles Galaxy, Columbus Crew, and FC Cincinnati are also considered contenders. Below, we’ll discuss a handful of sides who have a legitimate shot at going all the way.

Inter Miami

The Herons were provided with a major boost last season when Lionel Messi arrived in July, helping them win the Leagues Cup. Unfortunately, he wasn’t enough to help Inter Miami make the playoffs, but that’s a much different story in 2024. Tata Martino’s men are in first place in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 16-4-5 record, bagging 56 goals and conceding 39 in 25 games. Messi has scored 12 times and supplied nine assists this term, while Luis Suarez also has bagged 12 goals. The arrival of the Uruguayan has immensely helped Miami’s attack, giving Messi more support. This team is a force to be reckoned with and currently owns the best record in the entire MLS. The sky is the limit for Inter Miami with +175 MLS Cup odds, courtesy of Sports Interaction.

LAFC

Out West, LAFC is right on the Galaxy’s heels in second place, going 14-5-5 for a total of 47 points. The Black and Gold are only two points behind their city rivals. Denis Bouanga is once again proving why he’s one of the best finishers in the MLS, netting 16 and setting up another eight in 24’ in just 24 appearances. Midfielder Mateusz Bogusz is also thriving in the final third with 13 goals and five assists. LA is an impressive 9-1-3 on home soil and went into the break having beaten the Seattle Sounders 3-0 on July 20th. LAFC won the MLS Cup in 2022 and lost in the final last year. There’s a resume of playoff success for this club, who have the second-best odds at most soccer betting sites.

LA Galaxy

The Galaxy are enjoying a fantastic campaign, sitting in top spot in the Western Conference. For a team with minimal success in past years, it looks like this season could be different. Los Angeles ranks sixth in the league with 1.9 goals per game and has been the most put-together club in the MLS, completing the most passes of any team (521.5 per match). Dejan Joveljic has scored 12 goals and assisted another four while Gabriel Pec has 10 goals and nine assists, too. Los Angeles went into the break with three wins in four games, beating Colorado and Portland 3-2 in back-to-back fixtures. With LAFC close behind, the Galaxy will need to stay consistent if they want to remain in first. 

Columbus Crew

The Crew are the defending champions, therefore we can’t ignore them. Columbus is certainly in the playoff mix, sitting in third place in the East. Their +25 goal difference is actually the best in the MLS as well, scoring 47 and conceding only 22 times. This backline is a big reason the Crew is towards the top of the table. Cucho Hernandez’s 13 goals and six assists lead the way for the Crew, who have the playoff experience to make another deep run.