MLS Cup - Betting Odds, Event Details, History and Records

Date: 2025.12.06
Contest: Soccer
Location: The team with more points in regular season hosts the final match.


The MLS Cup is the annual championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It serves as the culmination of the MLS season and crowns the overall league champion.



Overview:
Major League Soccer began play in 1996, and the MLS Cup has been its championship fixture since the inaugural season. Unlike many global soccer leagues that award the title based on regular season standings, MLS uses a playoff system to determine its champion, adding a uniquely North American format to the sport.

2024 Winner:
LA Galaxy defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2024 Audi MLS Cup final, held at Dignity Health Sports Park in California. The victory marked another major title for the Galaxy, one of the leagues most successful clubs.

2025 Betting Odds:
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Format:
Teams compete through the regular MLS season to qualify for the playoffs, which determine the finalists for the MLS Cup. The playoff structure and the number of qualifying teams have evolved alongside the leagues expansion.

Before 2012, the MLS Cup final venue was selected in advance, similar to the Super Bowl. Since then, the team with the better regular season record among the finalists earns home-field advantage.

The MLS Cup winner is officially recognized as the league champion, while the team that finishes the regular season with the most points receives the Supporters Shield. The Cup winner also qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, representing MLS on the continental stage.

Trophy:
The MLS Cup champion receives the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, named after one of the leagues founding investors and long-time supporters. The silver trophy, with its distinct spiral design, symbolizes unity and growth within North American soccer.

History & Growth:
Since its inception, Major League Soccer has expanded rapidly, adding multiple new franchises and increasing its international presence. The MLS Cup has produced legendary moments, from Landon Donovans last-gasp goals to penalty shootout dramas under freezing skies.

The competition reflects both the evolution and ambition of soccer in North America, blending American-style playoffs with global football traditions. Each December, the MLS Cup stands as the ultimate prize in North American club soccer and a celebration of the sports continued growth across two nations.


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