New York City FC, having won the Eastern Conference, are second favorites, behind LAFC, to win the 2019 MLS Cup. Photo by Arturo Pardavila III (Wiki Commons)..

LAFC win the Suporters’ Shield and are favorites for the MLS Cup

New York City FC win the Eastern Conference and will push LAFC the whole way

Atlanta and Seattle the runners-up in each conference

The regular season is done and it’s playoff time in the MLS. The First Round starts on October 19 with Atlanta United vs New England Revolution and so we’re going to look at the prospective fortunes of the conference winners and runners-up, and see if we can identify who, if any, have what it takes to go all the way.

Sportsbooks have set Yes/No odds for each of NYCFC and LAFC to both win MLS Cup and to win their Conference Final, while also offering Yes/No to win the Conference Final for each of Atlanta and Seattle.

New York City FC MLS Cup Playoff Odds

Outcome Yes Odds No Odds To Win MLS Cup +400 -600 To Win Eastern Conference Final +150 -180

*All odds taken on 10/09/19

To have topped the Eastern Conference and therefore already qualified for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League – their first Champions League appearance – has already made it a good season for City. The big question is can they go on and make it a great one?

Home advantage in the Conference Semifinal is significant as City have only lost one home match all season – against Portland in early July – and Domènec Torrent’s team will fancy their chances of beating either Toronto FC or DC United at Yankee Stadium.

? | How The East Was Won – Five Key Matches #NYCFC READ ➡️ https://t.co/qfHdCaI3Dc pic.twitter.com/a1cALsKVh8 — New York City FC (@NYCFC) October 8, 2019

City had 18 wins and just six defeats in their 34 games and so are in good shape. They have conceded on average 1.24 goals per game, but crucially have lost only one of their last 11 games, conceding 15 and scoring 26 goals in the process.

My pick: NYC to win the MLS Cup (+400)

Atlanta United FC MLS Cup Playoff Odds

Outcome Yes Odds No Odds To Win Eastern Conference Final +250 -325

In 2018, only their second season in existence, Atlanta went all the way and won the MLS Cup. Some regarded it as a fluke but by finishing second in this season’s Eastern Conference, United have proved the doubters wrong.

Head coach Frank de Boer has utilized an already-strong squad to good effect and has moulded them into a cohesive unit who are hard to beat and who have again qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League.

Just getting started ? How the postseason is shaping up for the 5-Stripes: https://t.co/ZjaH9enmjl pic.twitter.com/Quz19AWCMN — Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 8, 2019

The playoff draw has been kind to them and a home tie against New England Revolution has set them up nicely for a Conference Semifinal, having beaten the seventh-place side home and away during the regular season.

If they overcome the Revs, a winnable game against either Philadelphia Union or New York Red Bulls awaits, but with NYCFC flying, it is tough to see them winning the Conference Final.

My pick: Atlanta to not win the Conference Final (-325)

Los Angeles FC MLS Cup Playoff Odds

Outcome Yes Odds No Odds To Win MLS Cup +400 -600 To Win Western Conference Final +150 -180

LAFC are the team to beat – no question. In only their second-ever season they have been the outstanding side, one that looks to have all the credentials required to lift the MLS Cup

They won 21 of their 34 regular season games, scoring a very impressive 85 goals along the way, and ended with a goal difference of +48. They finished on 72 points – eight more than any team in either conference – and have been heading for the playoffs since mid-August.

Head coach Bob Bradley has an outstanding squad to work with, one that is full of goals with Carlos Vela (34 goals) and Diego Rossi (16) providing a potent attack, but the one concern would be their end of season form, which was just two wins in their last eight games. At this stage of the season, momentum is everything.

My pick: LAFC to win the Western Conference Final (+150) but not the MLS Cup

Seattle Sounders MLS Cup Playoff Odds

Outcome Yes Odds No Odds To Win Western Conference Final +250 -325

The Sounders’second place in the Western Conference was hard-earned and clinched at the eleventh hour by two wins in their final two games – a 1-0 away win in San Jose and a 1-0 home win over Minnesota. Given that these two games saw them battling for home-field positioning, they are in good shape for the playoffs.

Perfect Pass ➡️ Clutch Header The game-winning goal from @romantorres05 is Sunday's Play of the Match! ?@alcatelmobileus | #SEAvMIN pic.twitter.com/3pTmmoNnbQ — Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) October 7, 2019

Brian Schmetzer’s squad may have done it the hard way, but they proved they can handle it when the pressure gauge is cranked up to an eleven. Sixteen wins from their 34 games is a good return but it’s been, at times, a rocky road with heavy defeats in Salt Lake City, LA (against LAFC) and New York (NYCFC). A goal difference of just +3 tells the story of a defense that, at times, can creak a little.

While a win over FC Dallas in the First Round playoff looks perfectly winnable, the Conference Semifinal against either Real Salt Lake or Portland Timbers looks a tough task and given their inconsistency, it could be a step too far this season.

My pick: Seattle Sounders not to win the Conference Final (-325)