MLS Betting and Odds at NetBet Sport

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the highest standard of professional football in the United States of America and the whole of North America. Unlike the top divisions in Europe, MLS has not been around for that long, having been founded in 1993 as part of the USA’s bid to host the 1994 World Cup. It took a little while for MLS to take off, but it is now regarded as one of the most popular sporting divisions in the world. This brings with it plenty of MLS betting opportunities, with the best MLS odds available at NetBet. Read on for some key information about one of the fastest-growing domestic divisions in world sport.

How does MLS work?

MLS does not share many similarities with the European football pyramids. Firstly, there are no promotions or relegations. If you finish bottom of the table, you’ll still be playing in MLS next year.

Thirty teams compete in MLS, with 15 in the Eastern Conference and the other 15 in the Western Conference.

The MLS regular season typically runs from February/March to October. The team which finishes with the highest points total, regardless of which Conference they are in, is awarded with the Supporters’ Shield, which is essentially the equivalent of being crowned the ‘regular-season champion’.

Moving on, 18 teams in total qualify for the playoffs and these fixtures are played in October and November. The MLS Cup, the deciding game of the whole championship, is then pencilled in for November.

Messi-Mania

When talking about MLS as a product, it is important to learn about and understand the seismic impact Lionel Messi has had upon the division.

Of course, MLS has played home to other huge footballing stars, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba, Kaka and Ashley Cole. But it is Messi’s move across the pond which really changed things.

Back in 2023, the Argentine superstar opted to join Inter Miami after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired. Teaming up with former LA Galaxy star and global icon David Beckham in the heart of Florida, Messi’s sheer presence instantly helped elevate the worldwide status of MLS.

From new sponsorship deals to record-breaking attendances, increased viewership and a significant cultural impact, the acquisition of Messi is the most transformative moment in MLS’ short history.

And with the league now receiving more global recognition than ever before, MLS betting is growing ever-more popular outside of American shores…

MLS Betting Tips

But before you step into the world of MLS betting and MLS odds, it is important to have a well-thought strategy. Here are some tips which can help you craft an MLS betting strategy:

Use the internet to your advantage: With kick-offs usually in the early hours of the morning UK time, the internet becomes an even more powerful tool when it comes to MLS betting. Watch official highlights of the games on YouTube to get a better understanding of team/player form, keep up to date with team/injury news and research recent head-to-head records. To borrow a cliche, knowledge is power!

Beware of international breaks: Unlike the major European leagues, MLS games continue throughout the international breaks, primarily for financial reasons. This means that some teams could be missing key players for a short period of time - and it may significantly impact their performances.

Wild weather conditions: The weather in the UK is not great most of the time, but it is fairly consistent. This is not the case in certain parts of the US and Canada. Snowstorms can bring games to a halt, while blazing heat in another area may drain players’ energy levels. The sheer size of the US and Canada, with their varying climates, makes weather more of a decisive factor than in European football. So just keep this in mind when looking at MLS betting odds, as a team based in the colder temperatures of Utah may struggle to compete in the hot weather conditions often found in states like Texas or California!

Understand the playoffs: The most popular time of the year for MLS betting is when the playoffs arrive. But while it is exciting, the system can be a bit confusing at first glance. First up is the Wild Card Round, which is then followed by a best-of-three series for Round 1. The Conference semi-finals and final come after, followed by the MLS Cup, with all of these rounds contested with a single match.

Is there Live Betting available for MLS matches?

Yes, live betting is available on all matches in MLS. NetBet has an entire page dedicated to in-play betting and all live MLS matches will appear in the ‘Football’ section, with a variety of markets and odds to choose from.