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The Seattle Sounders are slight favorites to repeat as MLS Cup champions, but several teams are considered strong contenders with the playoffs set to begin Friday.

The Sounders tied with Sporting Kansas City atop the Western Conference standings with 39 points, although Seattle played one more game. Sporting KC open the playoffs being offered at 8-1 to win the MLS Cup by SportsBetting.com.

Sounders-LAFC marquee match

That’s well behind Los Angeles FC (11-2), who finished seventh in the Western Conference with 32 points and will take on Seattle in the first round on Tuesday. LAFC is +180 to upset the defending champion Sounders (+120), although L.A. star Diego Rossi will miss the game after testing positive for COVID-19.

Sporting KC will open the playoffs against the long shot San Jose Earthquakes (66-1), who squeaked in as the Western Conference’s final team.

The Philadelphia Union topped the Eastern Conference standings with 47 points and open the playoffs at 6-1 to win the Cup by Sportsbook.com. They have slightly shorter odds than Toronto FC (7-1), who lost to Seattle in last year’s final.

Orlando City SC (8-1) tied with the Columbus Crew SC (16-1) with 41 points and open the playoffs on Saturday against New York City FC (10-1).

One of the tightest opening matches is expected to be between Nashville FC (+150) and Inter Miami (+210).

2020 MLS Cup Odds (SportsBetting.com)

• Seattle Sounders (5-1)
• Los Angeles FC (11-2)
• Philadelphia Union (6-1)
• Toronto FC (7-1)
• Orlando City (8-1)
• Sporting Kansas City (8-1)
• New York City FC (10-1)
• Portland Timbers (10-1)
• Columbus Crew (16-1)
• Minnesota United (20-1)
• FC Dallas (25-1)
• New York Red Bulls (33-1)
• Colorado Rapids (40-1)
• New England Revolution (50-1)
• San Jose Earthquakes (66-1)
• Inter Miami CF (100-1)
• Montreal Impact (100-1)
• Nashville SC (125-1)

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)