Arya News - Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are the favorites to repeat as MLS champions.
The 31st Major League Soccer season will begin this weekend, and there are more storylines than ever heading into another exciting campaign.
Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami win the club"s first MLS title in 2025, recording two assists in Inter Miami"s 3-1 MLS Cup win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Inter Miami opens the season as the +400 betting favorite at BetMGM sportsbooks, just ahead of Los Angeles FC at +600.
LAFC has plenty of appeal as well, adding former Tottenham star Son Heung-min in the middle of last season. The franchise won its first — and — only — MLS Cup back in 2022. LAFC opens its season Saturday in Los Angeles against Messi and the defending champs. LAFC is a +110 favorite on the three-way line, with Inter Miami at +210 and a draw at +270.
San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps — 2025 MLS Cup runner-ups — have the next-best odds at +900, followed by the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati at 14-1.
Sporting Kansas City and original MLS franchise DC United have the longest odds of any team to win this year"s title at 80-1.
It"s a unique season for MLS as well with the 2026 World Cup taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The league will take a break from May 25 to July 16 in the middle of the season, to accommodate players participating on their international teams.