So you're saying there's a chance? Vegas releases MLS Cup odds

The fine folks over at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook have released their odds to win the MLS Cup, and needless to say the Philadelphia Union are not favorites to win this year. Clearly not impressed with the team's off-season acquisition of Steven Vitoria, the odds-makers list the Union at 50/1 - good enough for dead last on their list, tied with the Colorado Rapids, San Jose Earthquakes and Montreal Impact.

Initially I thought that the Union were ranked far too low, so I looked up last season's MLS Cup odds and the team is listed at the exact same odds, 50/1. The more you think about it, the more 50/1 odds make sense for the Union. This is a team that has largely lost more talent than they have gained, with the departures of Amobi Okugo, Zac MacMath and Carlos Valdes just to name a few and the lack of replacements for those players. Sure, Vitoria was a great signing and should be a capable replacement for Valdes, but that still doesn't change the lack of signings in other areas like forward, wing and left back.

I am more surprised at the odds that other teams were given as opposed to how the Union are ranked on this list. The two that stick out the most to me are New York City FC and New York Red Bulls at 15/1. Now I know NYCFC have some very good players in David Villa, Mix Diskerud and eventually Frank Lampard (allegedly), but this is still a team that has barely played together and have yet to play an official MLS regular season game. Talent can get a team far, but I think these odds are overlooking how long it can take a team to gel. As for the Red Bulls, this is a team that has lost Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill and Jamison Olave and will be playing under a new head coach this season. Yes they added Sacha Kljestan, but that is far too much turnover in one off-season and therefore they should not be that highly favored.

The odds for the remaining teams seem largely okay to my eye. The LA Galaxy not surprisingly are favored to win it all again, followed by the Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution, both of whom are coming off fantastic seasons. So Union fans, What are your thoughts on these odds? Should the Union be higher? Have the odd-makers over-valued the New York clubs? Have your say in the comment section below!