MLS returns from Leagues Cup break: Latest Red Bulls, NYCFC odds

The final sprint of the 2024 MLS season begins this weekend as America’s top-flight soccer league returns from its month-long Leagues Cup break.

Just nine games remain before the start of the playoffs and both New York teams — the Red Bulls and NYCFC — are sitting comfortably in playoff positions within the Eastern Conference.

NYCFC has been one of the streakier sides in MLS this season. It dropped each of its first three matches of the season but has since responded with win streaks of three and five. There was a malaise of sorts heading into the Leagues Cup break with three straight draws, but New York still sits at fifth in the East with 38 points.

The top nine make the playoffs with seed Nos. 8 and 9 to play a single-elimination wild-card game.

MLS returns from Leagues Cup break: Latest Red Bulls, NYCFC odds 2 — Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Sitting three points above NYCFC are the Red Bulls, who have lost just four of their first 25 games this season. The problem is that their goal-scoring has not been clinical enough despite being one of the more dangerous attacking teams in terms of creating chances.

The Red Bulls have not lost in eight matches but only two have been wins. In fact, they have more draws (11) than victories (10) this year.

Granted, both New York clubs are on the wrong side of the gulf in class between the very best teams in the Eastern Conference and the rest of the standings. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami sits 12 points clear of the Red Bulls in first place with 53 points while FC Cincinnati is five points back with 48.

While the defending MLS Cup champions, the Columbus Crew, sit just two points ahead of the Red Bulls, they also have two games in hand.

If things remain the way they currently stand, the Red Bulls would take on NYCFC in the best-of-three first round of the playoffs.