Debating MLS Cup contenders & picking the best bet to win 2022 title

The 2022 Major League Soccer season is drawing to a close. The playoff teams are now shifting gears as the serious work starts if they're to lift the MLS Cup.

Debating MLS Cup contenders and picking the best bet to win the 2022 title.

Los Angeles FC won the Supporters' Shield for 2022. They have struggled in the big games against other top teams. They won just one game against Philadelphia Union and Austin FC. Steve Cherundolo will have navigated against teams like these.

Austin FC is in its second season. Sebastian Driussi and Diego Fagundez are the team's top scorers. Austin is a new franchise from Texas. Atlanta United won the MLS Cup within a two-season period.

Philadelphia Union is going in the right direction under Jim Curtin. The team has had inconsistent results since Curtins appointment in 2014. They have already won the Eastern Conference in 2020 and the Conference Championship in 2021. Daniel Gazdag scored 22 goals in all during the regular season.

New York City FC won the MLS title last season. They are the current favourites to win the 2021 MLS Cup. Santiago Rodríguez has been prolific with 10 assists in the regular season and they had three successive wins in MLS. They conceded just one goal in 360 minutes of play.

Real Salt Lake beat Portland Timbers 3-1 to secure a playoff spot. The result paved the way for the franchise to seal a playoffs berth directly over the Timbers.

Ardent Salt Lake won MLS Cup in 2009.

LAFC are the bookies' favorite to win the 2022 MLS Cup. Real Salt Lake are a long shot at +9500. They qualified for the playoffs on decision day. Their next opponent is Austin FC. The last four games between the sides are split with two wins each.