Toronto FC enters playoffs trailing on MLS Cup odds

Toronto FC's Alejandro Pozuelo is a finalist for the MLS MVP award. (Jessica Hill/AP)

Toronto FC will have to overcome a season-ending swoon if they are to pay out as a diminished +800 wager on the MLS Cup odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

The Reds were perched atop the MLS futures when the league returned to regular season action back in August, listed as favourites to finish atop the Eastern Conference and strong second favourites to win the MLS Cup at sports betting sites. But the club stumbled down the stretch, losing three of their final four matches to finish second in the conference standings, three points back of the Philadelphia Union. And while TFC's odds have remained largely stable, they now sit well back of the betting favourites, including a trio of conference rivals.

However, the Reds bring considerable playoff experience into this year's postseason after marching to the MLS Cup final in three of the past four years, including a memorable championship win in 2017. The club also enjoys a much-needed break this week as they wait and see who they will face when they hit the pitch for first-round action on November 24.

The club has also taken the move to their temporary home at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in stride, posting wins in four of the six matches they have hosted at the East Hartford, Connecticut facility, while surrendering just five total goals.

Among the potential opponents that TFC could see in the First Round are the Montreal Impact, who are set to make their first MLS playoff appearance since 2016 set as a lengthy +15000 wager on the MLS Cup odds.

The Impact eked out a play-in round berth with a 3-2 Decision Day win over DC United, and will be aiming for a third straight victory in an MLS Cup knockout matchup when they visit New England on Friday night. However, Montreal have struggled against the Revolution, going winless in three straight meetings.

Winners in four of their final five regular season contests, including a crushing 5-0 victory over Toronto, the Philadelphia Union lead the way as solid +400 chalk on the MLS Cup odds. In addition to racking up a league-best 14-4-5 win-loss-tie record, Philadelphia also enjoyed an unexpected run to the semi-finals at this summer's MLS is Back tournament, but have managed to get past the first round just twice in four previous MLS playoff appearances.

The defending champion Seattle Sounders join Los Angeles FC as +500 co-second favourites. Orlando City SC make their first-ever playoff appearance as a +600 wager on the futures, followed by New York City FC at +700, while the top seeds in the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City, lag just behind Toronto at +900 on the board.

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