Major League Soccer is set to resume Wednesday, July 8 with the MLS is Back Tournament. Ditching the traditional league format in favor of a World Cup-style knockout competition concluding on August 8, the event will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
All 26 teams in the MLS are in the tournament, where there will be six groups. There will be three matches per day, kicking off at 9am EST, 8pm EST, and 10:30pm EST. In the Eastern Conference there are two groups of four teams and one group of six teams, and in the Western Conference there are three groups of four teams.
Every team will play three matches. The teams that will qualify for the round of 16 are the top three teams from Group A and the top two teams from Groups B through F. The remaining three spots will go to teams that have the highest point totals.
The team that wins the MLS is Back Tournament will qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.
MLS is Back Tournament odds and favorites
New Jersey sportsbooks have futures odds up for the MLS is Back Tournament. Here are some of the favorites.
Los Angeles FC
LAFC had the best-ever MLS regular season in 2019 but lost to the Seattle Sounders in the Conference Finals. They were 1-0-1 before the season was shut down. LA have an experienced team led by reigning MVP Carlos Vela and their main competition in their group will likely be their local rivals, LA Galaxy. LAFC are +500 at PointsBet to win the 2020 MLS Cup.
Toronto FC
Toronto FC are the defending Eastern Conference champions and the long layoff may have been good for them, as they get star midfielder Michael Bradley back from injury. They are in a pretty weak group and are paying +1400 at PointsBet to win it all.
Seattle Sounders
The Seattle Sounders won the MLS Cup last season and are a very experienced team. Jordan Morris leads the Seattle attack in one of the weaker groups. The Sounders are looking to win their third MLS Cup in the last five seasons. New Jersey sportsbooks are divided on Seattle’s chances, as DraftKings and FanDuel have them at +800 while SugarHouse and PointsBet have them at +1600.
Atlanta United
Atlanta United lost in the Conference Finals last season after winning the MLS Cup in 2018. They are in a tough group and their attack will not be the same with star forward Josef Martinez out for the season with a knee injury. Atlanta’s current best price in the MLS Cup betting is +1100 at DraftKings and SuguarHouse.
MLS is Back group stage
Group A (Eastern Conference)
- Orlando City SC
- Inter Miami CF
- New York City FC
- Philadelphia Union
- Chicago Fire FC
- Nashville SC
Group B (Western Conference)
- Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Dallas
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- San Jose Earthquakes
Group C (Eastern Conference)
- Toronto FC
- New England Revolution
- Montreal Impact
- DC United
Group D (Western Conference)
- Real Salt Lake
- Sporting Kansas City
- Colorado Rapids
- Minnesota United FC
Group E (Eastern Conference)
- Atlanta United FC
- FC Cincinnati
- New York Red Bulls
- Columbus Crew SC
Group F (Western Conference)
- LAFC
- LA Galaxy
- Houston Dynamo
- Portland Timbers FC