MLS top scorer: Punters backing ‘former Arsenal man Vela to win successive Golden Boots

Major League Soccer has finally got underway, with some interesting results already arriving on matchday one.

David Beckham’s Inter Miami narrowly lost 1-0 to Los Angeles FC in their first ever game, with Nashville also losing out on their first ever MLS encounter, losing 2-1 to Atlanta United.  

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Current MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders meanwhile got off to the ideal start. They defeated Chicago Fire 2-1.

The highly-competitive league sees 26 teams – split evenly across two conferences – compete for ultimate glory. But the top scorer award is undoubtedly the individual prize that several forwards will have their eye on this season.

Former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela scooped the 2019 top scorer prize thanks to his 34 goals for LAFC. And he is already off the mark for 2020. The Mexican netted on his 31st birthday to sink Inter Miami last weekend.

Vela is currently evens to win the award for a second successive year.

But he will undoubtedly face competition from the likes of Jordan Morris, Raul Ruidiaz and Diego Rossi among many others.

Sounders attacker Morris needed just 45 minutes of action to score a brace against Chicago. His double saw him clinch the Player of the Week award on opening day for a second year running. 

Morris is available at 12/1 to pick up the top goalscorer award for 2020.

His team-mate Ruidiaz is currently 16/1 to beat him to the award. LAFC forward Rossi is also available at 16/1.

Also in contention is Colorado Rapids striker Kei Kamara. With two separate spells in MLS, the 35-year-old sits fifth in the all-time scoring charts. He boasts 127 goals, and in the 2015 campaign tied for top scorer with Sebastian Giovinco on 22. 

The Sierra Leonean ultimately lost out on that season’s Golden Boot on fewer assists. But Kamara is available at 25 to collect the prize this time around.

Mauro Manotas, Jozy Altidore, Gyasi Zardes and Ola Kamara are all currently 33/1 to finish the campaign as top scorer.

Portland Timbers attacker Diego Valeri has been given odds of 66/1 to clinch the 2020 MLS Golden Boot.

But all-time leading goalscorer Chris Wondolowski will also be keen to add to his tally. The 37-year-old sits top of the pile with 159 MLS goals, and is representing San Jose Earthquakes in what may well be his farewell season.

Also looking to improve on his record is Bradley Wright-Phillips. The 34-year-old sits joint seventh in the all-time leaderboard with 108. He has recently signed a deal with LAFC.

Both MLS legends are available at 100/1 to end the campaign as the league’s top scorer.