2025 MLS Cup Online Betting
Founded in 1996, Major League Soccer is the second serious attempt at a major league in the United States. The first effort was the North American Soccer League, which lasted from 1968 through 1984. The NASL had its moments and had the greatest superstar of the time, Pele, but it was underfinanced, constantly lost, and moved its teams.
In 2024, the LA Galaxy won their league-record sixth Major League Soccer title by defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 29th edition of the MLS Cup. The championship capped off another season of growth for the MLS, which has become so successful that San Diego will join as a new expansion team in 2025.
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To the credit of the MLS, it has had greater stability, particularly in more recent years. But the MLS had a rough start and suffered from the same issues that doomed the NASL. The difference in the two leagues was timing.
The MLS was fortunate enough to be created as cable television was exploding. As cable sports became one of the hottest properties in the United States, it continued to expand. With that expansion came the insatiable appetite for live content. At the time of its formation, nobody in America cared about soccer. But with cable TV providers promoting it non-stop, it began to gain traction.
Another factor in the MLS's success was signing washed-up superstars from other international leagues. The most famous, David Beckham, signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Beckham was no longer a top-shelf English Premier League player but an instant star in the MLS.
Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, is the latest superstar import for the MLS. He has a contract worth over $20 million and a stake in the franchise. Messi is best known for his World Cup heroics on team Argentina, but he was also a pro legend with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Another strategy that has helped the MLS succeed is building stadiums meant exclusively for soccer. In the early years of the MLS, games were often held at massive NFL stadiums. Empty seats would dwarf small crowds. Even a good crowd of 20,000 or so would look miniscule. These days, most MLS stadiums have seating capacities in the 20,000 to 30,000 range.
MLS game experiences are now engineered to have more of a “soccer culture” than in the past, which has also proven popular with fans.
Last year, the LA Galaxy hoisted the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy for the first time since 2014 after defeating New York Red Bulls in the 2024 MLS Cup final.
What a difference a year and a half made for LA Galaxy. Greg Vanney's side finished 13th in the Western Conference the previous year, prompting widespread protests from the club's loyal fanbase. Now, they are once again MLS Cup champions.
The Galaxy made history with their record-breaking sixth MLS Cup. No other team in MLS history has won more than four. The Galaxy has now reached the pinnacle of Major League Soccer in 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2024. The drought is finally over.
Gastón Brugman was named MLS Cup final MVP. The 32-year-old assisted Paintsil's opening goal and filled in admirably for Puig in the midfield.
MLS Past Season Winners (2010)
| YEAR |
WINNER |
SCORE |
RUNNER-UP |
| 2024 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
2-1 |
New York Red Bulls |
| 2023 |
Columbus Crew |
2-1 |
LAFC |
| 2022 |
LAFC |
3-3 (3-0 P) |
Philadelphia Union |
| 2021 |
New York City |
1-1 (4-2 P) |
Portland Timbers |
| 2020 |
Columbus Crew |
3-0 |
Seattle Sounders |
| 2019 |
Seattle Sounders |
3-1 |
Toronto FC |
| 2018 |
Atlanta United |
2-0 |
Portland Timbers |
| 2017 |
Toronto FC |
2-0 |
Seattle Sounders |
| 2016 |
Seattle Sounders |
0-0 (5-4 P) |
Toronto FC |
| 2015 |
Portland Timbers |
2-1 |
Columbus Crew |
| 2014 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
2-1 (ET) |
New England Revolution |
| 2013 |
Sporting Kansas City |
1-1 (7-6 P) |
Real Salt Lake |
| 2012 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
3-1 |
Houston Dynamo |
| 2011 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
1-0 |
Houston Dynamo |
| 2010 |
Colorado Rapids |
2-1 |
FC Dallas |
The Los Angeles Galaxy leads the MLS with six MLS Cup championships, with its most recent one in 2024. DC United is next with four titles but none since 2004.
In recent years, the Columbus Crew has won championships in 2020 and 2023. Los Angeles FC won the MLS Cup in 2022, and New York City FC won the 2021 championship.
Gamblers and fans appreciate the parity of the MLS, which has been one of its calling cards over the past decade.
MLS Teams
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