Major League Soccer: Three In-form MLS Teams Hoping to Capitalise on Inter Miami’s Inconsistencies
Inter Miami made a brilliant start to the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign, winning four of their opening five fixtures, however, the Herons’ dominance has subsided in recent weeks with two defeats in their last three outings. Although the bookies still have them priced up as favourites for the MLS Cup, several teams have moved above them in the standings including last weekend’s opponents Minnesota United.
The Loons inflicted Miami’s heaviest league defeat since Lionel Messi joined the club in July 2023 with their subsequent social media posts provoking a reaction from franchise co-owner David Beckham, who was unhappy with his team being referred to as a ‘Pink Phony Club’.
Although Miami has attracted plenty of publicity for US soccer, Javier Mascherano’s side are generally regarded as the team to beat, and most opposition sides will raise their game accordingly. This has proved problematic for the Eastern Conference outfit, particularly if Messi has not featured, or their matches have been sandwiched between important CONCACAF Champions League fixtures.
We’ve picked out three teams who have made a strong start to the season and are hoping to rival Miami for this season’s MLS Cup or Supporter’s Shield.
Vancouver Whitecaps
Inter Miami know all about the Whitecaps with the Canadian outfit having dumped them out of the CONCACAF Champions League at the beginning of May. It’s been a fairytale start for a team that is often found languishing in the lower reaches of the Western Conference and the bookies have unexpectedly been forced to reevaluate Jesper Sorensen’s men.
The Whitecaps have won eight of their first twelve matches in MLS, reached the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League and have a five-point advantage at the top of the Western Conference. The Whitecaps have been resolute at the back, fluid going forward and have enough individual quality to hurt the opposition. The switch to a 4-3-3 under their Danish coach has enabled them to attack with gusto and this system is also getting the best out of Brian White, who has 13 goals across all competitions so far.
The 29-year-old has been carefully managed, featuring in nine of Vancouver’s 12 matches, however, he tends to be more potent at BC Place. He’s notched in four of five home games and many MLS bettors have cashed in on the former NY Red Bulls forward so far this season. Goalscorer markets are a popular option for sportsbook users and have become a staple of same-game parlays, which allow users to wager on multiple markets within the same match. Many betting bonuses will reward players with free same-game parlays (or bet builders) and using sportsbook promos on these markets is a fantastic way to begin experimenting with this increasingly popular trend amongst sports bettors.
FC Cincinnati
Cincinnati have an 8-1-3 record across their first twelve games, despite scoring just 17 times, fewer than any of their fellow top-eight sides in the Eastern Conference. Pat Noonan’s men have become adept at winning games by a single goal, clinching six of their last seven victories by this slender margin.
They’ve dropped just two points at the TQL Stadium so far and have become a formidable force in Ohio. Evander has established himself as one of the most influential players in Major League Soccer, claiming seven goals and two assists so far this campaign. He is tied third in MLS for goal contributions and has already equalled his first-season total for Portland Timbers. Furthermore, the addition of 40-year-old Kei Kamara to their roster gives them added experience in forward areas.
It’ll be interesting to see whether Cinci can continue to edge out their opponents, however, they’ve become incredibly effective at getting their noses in front and staying ahead in games.
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union are the second favourites to finish top of the Eastern Conference this season and although there have been one or two inconsistencies, The Snakes have seemingly found their groove in the final third, notching ten times across a four-game stretch from mid-April.
They’ve been fantastic at Subaru Park, although only three sides have conceded fewer goals on the road than The Union across the first twelve matches. At home, they haven’t conceded a first-half goal since March 15th and outshot fellow high-flyers Columbus Crew at the beginning of May.
Quinn Sullivan has contributed six assists so far and Thai Baribo has chipped in with seven goals, five more than any of his teammates. If Bradley Carnell’s side are to challenge for the MLS Cup this season, they’re going to need more firepower from the rest of their squad, including Mikael Uhre, who has been subdued following an injury-hit start to the campaign.
Published by Patrick Jane
22.05.2025