News Summary
Inter Miami CF emerges as a leading favorite to win the MLS Cup, bolstered by Lionel Messi’s scoring prowess. The team’s current odds stand at +400, placing them ahead of competitors like Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps. As they approach the playoffs, Miami’s strong season and playoff matchups shape an exciting race for the championship. The postseason format includes a best-of-three series for the first round, leading to single-elimination rounds, culminating in the MLS Cup showdown.
Miami, FL – Inter Miami CF Emerges as Leading Favorite to Win 2025 MLS Cup
The Major League Soccer (MLS) postseason is set to culminate with the MLS Cup scheduled for December 6, 2025. As the playoff race heats up, betting odds are increasingly stacking in favor of Inter Miami CF, a team energized by the presence of superstar Lionel Messi.
Inter Miami CF Leading the Odds
According to publicly available betting odds, Inter Miami CF is regarded as the top contender for the league championship with odds of +400. The team’s strong position in the betting market is largely due to Messi’s recent performance, including scoring a hat-trick in a key match against Nashville SC. This victory helped secure their third-place finish in the Eastern Conference with a total of 65 points.
Other Top Contenders in the Race
Close on Miami’s heels are the Philadelphia Union, pegged as the second most likely to win with odds of +500. The Union have been consistent throughout the season, finishing high in their conference standings. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC are also considered strong contenders, with odds of +600.
Gaining momentum as an expansion team, San Diego FC has attracted attention from bettors, with odds of +700, despite being in its first season. Following them are LAFC, with odds of +750, and FC Cincinnati, with odds of +1000.
The Seattle Sounders FC are seen as dark horses with +1600) odds, and other playoff teams like New York City FC and Columbus Crew tied at +2000.
Tied further down the list are Charlotte FC, Nashville SC, and Minnesota United FC, each with odds of +2500. The least favored teams include Chicago Fire FC, Austin FC, and Portland Timbers, with odds at +5000, and FC Dallas at +8000.
Playoff Structure and Matchups
The MLS playoffs begin with a best-of-three series in the first round. Currently, Inter Miami CF faces Nashville SC. In their recent encounters this season, Miami defeated Nashville twice, including a decisive 5-2 victory where Messi scored a hat-trick. Miami’s strong performance secured their third-place finish in the Eastern Conference and a spot in the playoffs.
The Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers also advanced through wildcard wins, with Chicago winning their final match 3-1 against Orlando City, and Portland eliminating Real Salt Lake by the same score. These victories pushed Chicago and Portland into the next phase of the playoff series.
Upcoming Schedule and Format
Following the first round, the playoffs transition to a single-elimination format. The schedule for the first round spans from October 24 to November 9. The subsequent rounds include the conference semifinals scheduled for November 22-23, and the conference finals set for November 29-30. The winners of each conference will then meet in the MLS Cup on December 6 to compete for the league title.
Summary
As the MLS postseason approaches, Inter Miami CF has established itself as the team to beat, thanks in part to Lionel Messi’s impact. Other prominent teams, including Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, are expected to contend, but the tournament’s single-elimination format promises an exciting and unpredictable conclusion to the 2025 season.
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HERE Resources
Seattle Opens Fan Voting for MLS Save of the Year
Additional Resources
- MLS Soccer: MLS Cup 2025 Odds
- Athlon Sports: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC
- USA Today: MLS Playoff Predictions
- New York Times: MLS Cup 2025 Playoff Bracket
- Sports Illustrated: Complete MLS Cup Playoff Bracket
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