MLS Parlay of the Week | Week 20

Midweek MLS action provides soccer fans with a ton of crucial matchups with playoff implications. Our parlay of the week features three competitive matches, providing us with a bit more juice than we might otherwise pull out of a multi bet such as this. Our team of US Legal Sports betting pros perused the top betting apps for the best odds available, eventually settling on BetRivers. Read on to see how they compiled three valuable plays and combined them into this week's combo bet.

D.C. United Draw No Bet (-225) | BetRivers

Two struggling sides will meet in the nation's capital looking to curb their recent losing ways as Atlanta United travels to D.C. United's Audi Field on Wednesday. The red and black haven't won a match in their last six, drawing twice while suffering four defeats. With 19 points to their name, D.C. sits just one point behind Nashville for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta has had its own winning dry spell, going 1-2-3 over the last couple of months. The team's poor form compared to lofty preseason expectations led to the firing of former head man Gonzalo Pineda just a few weeks ago. The Five Stripes have only managed one victory in their last 12 MLS matches, highlighting their struggle to compete for a top-nine spot in the Eastern Conference. Currently in 13th place, they trail Nashville by three points.

One of the best home sides last season, Atlanta hasn't managed to acquire three points at home very often in 2024 with a 3-2-5 record. They have, however had a knack for procuring surprising wins on the road. They defeated league leaders Inter Miami 3-1 at Chase Stadium on May 30, thanks to goals from Saba Lobjanidze and Jamal Thiare.

D.C. United head man Troy Lesesne has had a difficult first season in charge of the red and black, but Wednesday's hosts are still only a single point behind ninth-placed Nashville SC in the Eastern Conference standings. His team's chances of being involved in the postseason have been carried by the goalscoring antics of former Liverpool and Aston Villa marksman Christian Benteke. The Belgian striker has netted 13 goals in MLS to date.

Although belief inside the D.C, United camp will not be at record-high levels ahead of Wednesday's match, Lesesne's troops will take significant confidence from the fact that their most recent win came at Atlanta United on May 12. Benteke hat-trick sealed a 3-2 victory that may prove to be the propeller pushing them into postseason play.

FC Cincinnati Moneyline (-139) | BetRivers

FC Cincinnati looks to keep pace with Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami when they play host to Philadelphia Union on Wednesday evening. Visiting Philadelphia is merely hoping to pull out at least a point in this contest to maintain position within the top seven in the standings. Considering Cincy has 16 more points than Philly this season, that will be a tall order for the Union to complete. Pennsylvania sports betting sites list the away side at worse than 3-1 underdogs.

Philadelphia head man Jim Curtain probably won't admit to believing in moral victories, but the Union can certainly use last week's narrow defeat to Miami as proof of the team's full capabilities. Combine that with the fact that Philly is just one year removed from coming in fourth in the conference and it should have reason to believe it can walk out of Dr. DY Patil Stadium with at least one point. Especially when considering they have just five losses in 17 fixtures.

Cincinnati appears to have shaken off its championship loss hangover from the beginning of the season. Pat Noonan's boys have shown remarkable form since mid-April, securing victories in eight of their last nine MLS matches. Their wins have often been narrow, as none have come by more than two goals, but the Orange and Blue have consistently found ways to secure crucial results. 

Of course, their recent defensive performances have been concerning and most Ohio sports betting sites acknowledge that with short odds for this game to go over 2.5 total goals. FC Cincinnati has conceded seven goals in their last three matches, including a 2-0 loss to 9th-place Nashville. They did manage thrilling victories against Toronto FC and the San Jose Earthquakes, showcasing their improved attacking prowess under Noonan's guidance. With four goals in each, they now rank fourth in goals scored in the conference.

Charlotte FC Moneyline +100 | BetMGM

Since going down 3-1 to the New York Red Bulls in May, Charlotte FC has been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Currently in search of its third straight win, Dean Smith's side welcomes Orlando City to Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday. Orlando has been trending in the complete opposite direction with just one win in its last six MLS matches. Still, North Carolina sportsbooks are offering even money for Charlotte to win outright and continue rolling along.

Crown supporters have enjoyed a couple of nice conference wins over the last few weeks, defeating Atlanta United on the road before defeating DC United at home last week. Charlotte continues to be one of the top defensive sides in the East having recorded five straight clean sheets at home. They are now tied with LAFC for the fewest home goals allowed at six and sit alone atop the league with just 0.6 goals conceded on their own soil.

Orlando City, meanwhile, extended its MLS winless streak to four straight matches last Saturday. Most concerning for Orlando, the Lions conceded three goals in a match for the first time since the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Mexican giants Tigre 3 months ago. If Orlando is looking for confidence in this match, it can at least hang its hat on quality road play. All three of the team's wins over its last 11 games have come away from its home stadium. It'll need to play in peak form, however, if the team has any plans on upending one of the top home sides in the league.