MLS 2020 Betting Preview: LAFC

Already One Of The Favourites

2019 Supporters Shield winners and the undisputed titans of the year's MLS regular season, LAFC are once again going into this years preseason friendlies as one of the outright favourites in our latest soccer betting odds and should be one of the most interesting sides to look for.

How Did LAFC Do In Last Year's MLS Regular?

Right from the outset of last season, Bob Bradley's Black and Gold side looked like they meant business. Imperious in front of goal, they registered 21 goals in their first 7 games before drawing their first blank in their first loss of the season against the Whitecaps; LA would only lose four times in all over the course of the regular season, setting a record for the most amount of points ever registered in a regular season.

LA finished their regular season in the Western Conference with a record of 21-4-9 from their 34 games, netting 85 goals (matching El Trafico rivals Galaxy's haul of 85 goals in 1998), conceding 37 and topping the goal difference table with +48, the best record in Major League history.

They were proclaimed as MLS Supporters Shield champions on September 25th with a 3-1 home win over Houston, ending their first triumphant season 8 points ahead of nearest rivals NYCFC in the East.

How Did LAFC Do In Last Year's MLS Postseason?

LAFC were practically nailed on favourites in our MLS predictions for glory in the MLS Cup postseason. They were +150 for the title before a ball was even kicked, but those odds were dramatically slashed down to -175 once the Black and Gold had bested their crosstown rivals Galaxy 5-3 in the first El Trafico postseason meeting between the two teams.

However, Bradley's side shocked soccer markets everywhere when they came up against the Sounders in the MLS Cup Conference Finals, slumping to a fairly limp 3-1 home loss against the boys from Seattle. It was a disappointing return from a side that had looked pretty invincible all season.

Who Should You Look Out For This Season?

Carlos Vela was obviously the main man for LA last season, beating out competition from Galaxy rival Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Atlanta frontman Josef Martinez in the race for the MLS Golden Boot. His 34 goals across the season broke Martinez's record for the most goals in a single campaign and showcased exactly why having a player with international and Champions League experience is so valuable in Major League soccer.

Besides Vela, Diego Rossi remains one of LA's most dangerous players going forward. The 21 year old Uruguayan forward has already amassed over 60 appearances and 28 goals for the Black and Gold since his move from Penarol. He also has the honour of scoring LA's first ever goal in Major League history, doing so against the Sounders back in March 2018.

Further back, Tyler Miller has marked himself out as LA's no.1 in between the sticks. The USMNT hopeful registered 9 shutouts over the course of the season, a tally that seems a little low given how many games the Black and Gold were winning last season. His reflexes and shot-stopping skills remain impressive and improving that shutout tally could be an undervalued key for Bob Bradley's side this year.

What do you make of our prediction for LA this year? Can another team take their title from them? Be sure to stay tuned to Bet Today USA for all your MLS predictions as the action kicks off this February.