2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Predictions & Picks

The 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs are in full swing. With three key matches taking place this weekend, we are about to find out which teams will compete in the Conference Semifinals. 

FC Cincinnati, Philadelphia Union, Orlando City, Sporting Kansas City and Los Angeles FC have already punched their ticket to the last eight. Now, six teams will battle it out for the remaining three places. 

Today, I will be sharing my MLS Cup Playoffs predictions and picks for this weekend’s games. I will also discuss the latest outright odds and attempt to answer – who will win MLS Cup 2023? 

What’s Happened in the MLS Cup Playoffs So Far? 

The 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs got underway on October 25, with two Wild Card matches kicking off proceedings. The New York Red Bulls crushed Charlotte FC 5-2 in the Eastern Conference, while Sporting KC defeated the San Jose Earthquakes on penalties in the Western Conference. 

Cincinnati wasted no time in reaching the Conference Semifinals, defeating the Red Bulls in a best-of-three series. Cincy enjoyed a hugely impressive regular season, suffering just five defeats in 34 games to finish six points clear at the summit of the Eastern Conference. 

Elsewhere in the East, Philadelphia dispatched the New England Revolution, while Orlando advanced at the expense of Nashville SC. That leaves Columbus and Atlanta to compete for the fourth and final spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

Over in the West, Sporting KC overcame St. Louis City in a best-of-three series, scoring six goals while conceding just two. LAFC also made light work of the Vancouver Whitecaps, with the Californians notching a 7-1 aggregate victory over the Canadians. 

Two series still need to be decided in the West. Can Real Salt Lake upset the odds against Houston Dynamo? Will the Seattle Sounders progress at the expense of FC Dallas? It’s time to dive into my MLS Cup Playoffs predictions and picks. 

MLS Cup Playoffs Predictions & Picks 

The 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs dish up three clashes this weekend, giving us plenty of exciting betting opportunities. You will be pleased to learn that I will be sharing a prediction and pick for each match. 

On Friday, November 10, Seattle welcomes Dallas to Lumen Field, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 pm (PST). On Saturday, November 11, Houston hosts RSL at Shell Energy Stadium, with kick-off slated for 3:00 pm (CST). 

The final clash of the weekend goes down on Sunday, November 12. Columbus and Atlanta will lock horns at Lower.com Field at 7:00 pm (EST), so be sure to prepare your predictions and picks for the MLS Cup Playoffs. 

Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas Prediction 

Odds: Seattle Sounders (-143); Draw (+275); FC Dallas (+375) 

Seattle claimed a 2-0 win over Dallas in the first match of the series, but the Texans bounced back in game two. Last weekend, Dallas secured a 3-1 victory against the Sounders, meaning the score is tied at 3-3 ahead of the decider. 

After losing just nine of their 34 regular-season matches, the Sounders finished second in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Dallas finished seventh – two points inside the automatic postseason berths and seven points shy of Seattle. 

It is also worth remembering that Seattle boasts the best defensive record in 2023. Friday’s showdown is destined to be a close-fought battle between two strong teams, but I’m backing the Sounders to flex their defensive muscles and seal the deal. 

Best Bet: Seattle Sounders (-143) 

Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake Prediction 

Odds: Houston Dynamo (-163); Draw (+320); Real Salt Lake (+375) 

A solitary point separated Houston and Real Salt Lake in the final Western Conference standings. Both sides won 14 of their 34 games, but the Dynamo picked up one draw more than RSL to snatch fourth place. 

Houston won the first match of the series, claiming a 2-1 victory on home soil. However, Real Salt Lake exacted revenge on the Texans by clinching a penalty shootout win at America First Field in game two, following a 1-1 draw in normal time. 

Not only did the Dynamo score three goals more than RSL during the regular season, but they also conceded 12 goals fewer. The team from Texas possesses a far superior defensive record, but it feels like anything could happen on Saturday. 

Best Bet: SIGN IN TO ACCESS PICK  

Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United Prediction 

Odds: Columbus Crew (-163); Draw (+350); Atlanta United (+350) 

Thanks to a Cucho Hernandez double, the Columbus Crew claimed a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United in game one. Needless to say, the result angered the Five Stripes, who responded by thrashing Columbus 4-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in game two. 

Columbus and Atlanta are both blessed with high-class attacking players. Atlanta’s Thiago Almada has racked up 11 goals and 19 assists this season, while Georgios Giakoumakis has netted 17 goals. As for Columbus, Cucho Hernandez has notched 16 goals and 11 assists. 

This series is finely poised ahead of the third and final game, making it difficult to pick a winner. Although the Crew has the luxury of home-field advantage, the Five Stripes will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds in Ohio. 

Best Bet: SIGN IN TO ACCESS PICK 

Who Will Win MLS Cup 2023? 

Now that you’ve had my MLS Cup Playoffs predictions for this weekend, let’s wrap things up by checking out the latest outright odds for MLS Cup 2023. With 11 teams in contention for the trophy, there is no shortage of betting value on offer. 

MLS CUP 2023 OUTRIGHT ODDS 

• FC Cincinnati (+275) 
• Los Angeles FC (+300) 
• Orlando City (+750) 
• Columbus Crew (+800) 
• Sporting Kansas City (+900) 
• Philadelphia Union (+1000) 
• Houston Dynamo (+1600) 
• Seattle Sounders (+1600) 
• Atlanta United (+2500) 
• FC Dallas (+2500) 
• Real Salt Lake (+4000) 

Unsurprisingly, Cincinnati and LAFC are the bookies’ favorites to secure the silverware. While Cincy has been the strongest team in Major League Soccer this year, LAFC arguably boasts the strongest roster. 

Orlando, Columbus, Kansas City and Philly bridge the gap between the favorites and the underdogs. Houston and Seattle are both priced at +1600, leaving Atlanta, Dallas and RSL as the outsiders. 

In my eyes, it is difficult to look past Cincinnati right now. Pat Noonan’s men have been on fire throughout the entire season, and they barely know what it feels like to lose this year. 

That said, the MLS Cup Playoffs invariably spring multiple surprises. Although it may seem like Cincy is in pole position to lift the trophy, you’d be foolish to write of LAFC, Orlando and any of the other frontrunners for that matter!