MLS Is Back Quarterfinals: Betting Odds For Both Saturday Matches

• The MLS is Back tournament is ready to finish its quarterfinals this Saturday with two late-night matches from Orlando.
• The San Jose Earthquakes (+120 odds) are getting the slightest of edges over the Minnesota United (+205) with both teams in plus odds to win.
• NYCFC (+129) takes on the Portland Timbers (+191) in an equally close match to decide the final four teams in the tournament.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The MLS is Back tournament has been an exciting escape for soccer fans and bettors over the last few weeks.

The tournament now reaches the end of its quarterfinal stage Saturday, with two clashes between some very evenly-matched squads. Saturday night will be teeming with excitement as both teams hit the pitch for some late-night soccer in Orlando.

Both these matches are extremely tight when it comes to betting odds, meaning even the bookies aren’t quite decided on who will go through to the semifinals.

Most legal sports betting sites will offer odds for each team to advance and win via regular time or penalties.

Minnesota United has had a terrific run through the tournament so far behind manager Adrian Heath. Heath’s tactics have rejuvenated life into the club and have landed Minnesota deep in the tournament, a surprise to many.

It took a penalty shootout to get over the Columbus Crew in the last round, but they continue to do what they have to do to win games.

Minnesota has yet to lose a game in 2020 and has one of the more balanced squads left in the tournament. Meanwhile, San Jose has played well to get to this point but has needed some last-minute heroics from a few different contributors to stay alive.

Additionally, San Jose does not play well against Minnesota where they have lost three in a row by a combined score of 11 to 3.

Minnesota gets the upset win here, in a close battle that could come down to penalties. PICK: Minnesota United To Advance.

The late-night matchup from Florida is the final game to decide the semifinals for the tournament and features one of the closest betting lines of the entire season.

NYCFC is getting only +129 to win to Portland’s +192 in a match that has oddsmakers clearly stumped.

While the MLS odds may be evenly matched, the teams’ paths throughout the tournament couldn’t be any more different.

Portland had an easy life through the group stage but ran into trouble against first-year club FC Cincinnati in the Round of 16. It took a penalty shootout to decide the winner, which the Timbers narrowly getting the victory.

NYCFC faced their biggest struggles in the group stage where they lost to Orlando City and the Philadelphia Union before making it though on a wild card bid with a 1-0 win over Inter Miami.

Nevertheless, they proved their worth as they trounced heavily favored Toronto FC 3-1 in the Round of 16.

While Portland is a terrific club when they play their best, they looked tired and sloppy against Cincinnati. If NYCFC can play as well as they did against Toronto, they should be the best choice for soccer fans. PICK: NYCFC Moneyline.

News tags: Minnesota United | MLS | MLS is Back | New York City FC | NYCFC | Portland Timbers | San Jose Earthquakes