USL Odds, May 30
Another matchday for the Jagermeister Cup as we end the month of May.
We herald a return of the Jagermeister Cup this weekend as Saturday offers us 16 matches of the group stage to wager on, with plenty of these games being USLC v USL1 in matchup, with a few interesting derby matches thrown in. This matchday could really help set the stage for how the rest of the group stage may play out, as we could see some teams make their dreams of advancing a closer reality, or other teams who might see those dreams being dashed. Looking forward to lots of goals and thrilling evening of soccer tomorrow! Many of these games have all ML options at positive odds too…
As always, make all wagers at your own discretion, any bet you make should be made at your own risk. Only view these options below as potential choices to bet. Remember, the bets below are the results at the end of the 90’ played, games that are tied at 90’ are decided by a penalty shootout.
All odds were from Bet365 as of Friday, May 30th.
Previous Week Recap:
Here are the bets that paid off from last week’s article:
USLC: Charleston to win (2.40), Tampa Bay win or tie and under 3.5 goals (2.00), Miami v Birmingham BTTS and over 2.5 goals (2.05), Louisville to win, under 3.5 goals (2.40), New Mexico to win (2.20), Tormenta v Chattanooga Over 2.5 goals (1.95), Richmond win or tie, Texoma to score first
Parlays: Charleston, Louisville, New Mexico ML (8.71), Miami v Birmingham and Orange County v Colorado Springs BTTS (2.79), Chattanooga or tie, Tampa Bay or tie (2.60)
Beyond USL: Brighton win or tie, Over 2.5 goals (1.61), Manchester City ML (1.60), Sunderland to qualify, BTTS (4.50), Wimbledon to qualify (1.80), Philadelphia v Inter Miami BTTS, over 2.5 goals (1.83), Parlay of San Diego/LAFC/Minnesota double chance (1.90), Panthers game three ML (1.66), Cubs ML and over 8.5 total runs (3.56), Dodgers at Mets: Over 8.5 runs (1.83), Leclerc, Piastri, Norris and Hamilton all qualifying top six (2.00), McLaren to have fastest car in qualifying (1.95), McLaren both cars podium finish (2.00), Winning car: McLaren (1.95), Leclerc, Piastri and Norris all to finish podium (3.20), Williams both cars points finish (2.25), Chevrolet winning manufacturer (2.30), William Byron top five finish (2.50), Chase Elliott to beat Ty Gibbs (1.71), Byron to beat Reddick (1.90)
Jagermeister Cup
Westchester v Hartford
3.50 - 3.25 - 2.00
I was initially hesitant to pick Hartford for this week’s match. I figured Westchester would start games as they typically would with them opening goal, but after seeing the high-scoring, eight goal thriller Hartford combined with Indy Eleven on Wednesday, I have to imagine Hartford ride that momentum for a strong performance in this match against the New York club. Still, I think it’s worth doing two separate bets on this match, one for Westchester to get the first goal, and one that sees over 2.5 goals with the hosts in favor of the result.
Bet 1: Westchester to score first (2.50)
Bet 2: Hartford win or tie, Over 2.5 goals (2.37)
Portland v Detroit
3.50 - 3.25 - 2.00
It’s flown a bit under the radar, but Detroit have not won a match against USL opposition since the last week of April (1-0 against Pittsburgh in this very competition), in a mixture of some tough fixtures and plenty of road games, a trip to Maine might look like a chance for the USL1 side to get an upset. Portland enter this match unbeaten in their last four games, and have seen two of those games go over 2.5 goals (each of them have been BTTS too). Detroit are the better team in my eyes, but in this cup competition, we might see a very different style of match from these teams. I am actually most tempted to take this game to end level and be decided by the shootout, even if the visitors are better. I’ll offer up either option for your wager.
Bet 1: Draw (3.25)
Bet 2: Detroit win or tie, Detroit to score first (1.72)
Charleston v Greenville
1.42 - 4.20 - 5.75
In spite of their matchday one loss of the group stage to Naples, rather shockingly in my opinion, I have to imagine Charleston get back on track this week with a comfortable win over the only other side in their group without a point right now, Greenville Triumph. It’s a South Carolina Derby, and the Charleston Battery are the USL’s hottest team right now, while Greenville is a club I have been long since sounding the alarm to fade for a while.
Battery winning is the simplest wager, but add on over 2.5 goals and possibly even scoring first to make it a decent parlay (Triumph have not scored the opening goal in any of their previous six matches).
Bet: Charleston to win, Charleston to Score First, Over 2.5 goals (2.30)
Loudoun v Louisville
3.50 - 3.30 - 1.90
What’s wild to me is that we’ve already seen this matchup play out two previous times this season and we’ve yet to reach the month of June—just through league scheduling and the luck of the US Open Cup draw. In the two previous meetings, Louisville looked extremely comfortable in their wins, and that has been the story of this year’s Louisville City team. The wins have not been flashy, but professional and get the job done. I expect more of the same this weekend, as Louisville grinds out another victory over Loudoun, making it 11 wins from 12 all-time meetings going in favor of the Kentucky club.
Bet: Louisville to win (1.90)
Charlotte v Lexington
2.20 - 3.25 - 3.00
This matchup, from Lexington’s time in USL1, always proved to be an exciting affair, as four of their five all-time meetings resulted in going over 2.5 goals, with the last three meetings, being draws over 2.5 goals as well. But this year’s Lexington team is much different to those previous ones that battled Charlotte well, I worry how much scoring this year’s Lexington team can do, as on just three occasions this year have Lexington scored multiple goals in a match and none since March. If this match is to hit over 2.5 goals (something that has occurred in each of the last seven Charlotte games), it might be off the hard work of the Independence. But with Lexington in free fall form wise, this game provides an excellent chance for Charlotte to get the upset, especially with these odds.
Bet: Charlotte win or tie, over 2.5 goals (2.50)
Chattanooga v Madison
3.00 - 3.40 - 2.15
The only USL1 v USL1 match this weekend of the cup, as Chattanooga will be looking for their first win against Madison since September 2023, or 636 days ago. That match was also the last time that Chattanooga was able to score multiple goals against Madison too. But the Red Wolves enter this match having three of their last four games against USL1 opposition, while Madison have drawn their last five games against USL1 clubs and had their first game of the Jagermeister Cup this year be a heavy defeat at home to Indy Eleven.
With how much momentum Chattanooga has been on this year, and their home stadium turning into a “tough place to play” (they still have yet to lose at their ground this year), I actually think the Tennessee club gets the win in this match. But this game overall should be under 2.5 goals. Especially with these underdog odds it’s worth a wager!
Bet: Chattanooga to win (3.00)
Pittsburgh v Rhode Island
2.60 - 3.25 - 2.50
It is always interesting to see teams who recently met in matches, rematch against each other so soon. This was a fixture that the Riverhounds won 1-0 away at Rhode Island last week, and now has reversed for a rematch at Highmark in Pittsburgh. Rhode Island still has not scored a goal against the Pittsburgh team in their three previous matches played. After four consecutive road games, the Riverhounds will be happy to get another home game played to close out the month.
If Rhode Island can score in this match, I think they go on to get a result, but I have to back the hosts to get a result at home and get their group stage back on track.
Bet: Pittsburgh win or tie (1.50)
Richmond v North Carolina
No odds as of writing
After two consecutive games without a goal scored for Richmond, the Kickers finally got back on the scoresheet last week against Westchester and had another match over 2.5 goals (inside the first 30’ played no less). North Carolina meanwhile have quietly won three matches in a row against USL opposition for the first time since since October 2023 in the USL1 playoffs. Could we see this North Carolina team involved in yet another high-scoring fixture against Richmond—as their last six meetings when both clubs were in USL1 went over 2.5 goals (and NCFC would pick up the result in four of those games). I think the visitors will prevail, but we will see yet another high-scoring game.
Bet: North Carolina win or tie, over 2.5 goals
Miami v Naples
1.75 - 3.80 - 3.70
A south Florida derby may be one of the more underrated matches of the evening. Miami have been a bit of a surprise package having entered this season, but their games have been anything but unexciting to watch, as seven of their games this year have gone over 2.5 goals. Naples meanwhile have seen five of their matches go over 2.5 goals themselves. The winner of this game will place themselves in an excellent position to advance out of Group 6, if other results of the group go their way. It may be tough to call, but I am backing this match to hit over 2.5 goals for us.
Bet: Over 2.5 goals (1.50)
Tampa Bay v Tormenta
1.53 - 3.90 - 5.75
Tampa Bay could really use a win, as the Rowdies still have not won a match in 90’ since March 22nd, and if it does not come against Tormenta, we really would have to start asking questions for the Floridian side. Tormenta meanwhile have brought issues of their own to this match as they have just one win in the previous five games played across all competitions (with four of those games going over 2.5 goals).
I want to believe this is the match where it comes together for Tampa Bay, where everything clicks and they can get a win inside 90’, but Tormenta may prove to be challenging as with their current lead atop the Group 6 table, they may want to seize this opportunity to better their chances at advancing. A tough game to call, but let’s have the Rowdies taking an early lead that ultimately ends with the result just to be safe.
Bet: Tampa Bay win or tie, Tampa Bay to score first (1.40)
Tulsa v Birmingham
2.15 - 3.30 - 3.10
In four of the last five meetings of this series, we have seen over 2.5 goals in the game. Birmingham last time out got their first win under new manager Mark Briggs, in USLC play, while Tulsa meanwhile had a 1-1 draw with San Antonio during the midweek (off of two PKs from both sides). While history may suggest this match could be a high-scoring game, Tulsa has slowed down in scoring in recent weeks, as their last three games have gone under 2.5 goals (but Tulsa did not lose any of those games).
August 2024 was the last time that Tulsa had a come from behind win, suggesting that if the Oklahoma team can’t score the opening goal, it might be enough to see Birmingham through to the result. I like this match to be low scoring and Tulsa to get the 90’ result (as we have only seen one Tulsa home game this year go over 2.5 goals).
Bet: Tulsa win or tie, under 2.5 goals (2.60)
El Paso v Colorado Springs
2.30 - 3.25 - 2.87
I have really liked how different this El Paso team have looked this season versus the previous years’ past that we have seen. What’s been a concern for me from this fixture, is on the side of the reigning USLC champions, Colorado Springs, who have just one win from their previous seven games played. In fact, these two teams have already met each other twice in the league this year, having played out a pair of scoring draws. March 2023 was the last time that Colorado Springs won in El Paso, which gives me enough history to back the Locomotive to get a win in this match.
Bet: El Paso to win, El Paso to score first (2.62)
Monterey Bay v Orange County
2.62 - 3.25 - 2.50
I will admit, I was backing Spokane to get the result in the cup in the midweek over Monterey Bay, but it was the California club who held off 25 shots from Spokane to get the win (having defended their 1-0 lead for 85’ no less). Getting those three points was massive for MBFC, as they now face Orange County, who they have not beaten at home since September 2022. In three of the last four meetings from this game, it has been under 2.5 goals, and we have yet to see someone come from behind to win this match since July 2023 (where Orange County came out 3-1 winners at home).
If this game goes over 2.5 goals, I imagine Orange County will largely be the reason, but if Monterey Bay can defend tomorrow, like they did against Spokane, this might be a low scoring affair.
Bet: Under 2.5 goals (2.07)
Sacramento v Las Vegas
1.70 - 3.50 - 4.50
By virtue of having played more matches than anyone else in the Jagermeister Cup group 1 bar Monterey Bay, Las Vegas enters this matchday with a three point lead over everyone else in their group. A win in regulation would make it increasingly likely that the Lights would see themselves through to the next round. However they are facing a Sacramento team that beat the Lights 5-0 in their last meeting in the league. This game really for me depends all on which Sacramento side shows up for it. Republic still have yet to lose at home this year and have only trailed at home for 76’ in total on the season—or the runtime of Disney’s Fantasia 2000 (1999). I like Sacramento to get the win in this one and score the opening goal.
Bet: Sacramento to win and Sacramento score first goal (1.86)
Phoenix v New Mexico
2.87 - 3.25 - 2.30
The last time these two teams met, Phoenix got the 2-1 victory a little under three weeks ago and it sent New Mexico on some soul searching as that was the first time since late 2024 that they had lost consecutive games in the league. But New Mexico more than rallied back in recent weeks to put that two-game losing streak to rest, winning their next two games (against Oakland and Orange County on the road) by scores of 3-0, dominating in all aspects of the game.
Seven New Mexico games and eight Phoenix matches this year have gone over 2.5 goals, suggesting we may be on the cards for another high-scoring fixture from this great geographic matchup. I like New Mexico to not only get the win in this one, but to thrill us with another over 2.5 goal performance.
Bet: New Mexico to win, over 2.5 goals (3.75)
AV Alta v Oakland
2.45 - 3.20 - 2.70
To close out the evening, if there was ever the upset pick on the matchday, it would be AV Alta to get the result against Oakland. The Roots have already shown once during this competition that they are not immune to USL1 clubs, having lost to Spokane on the first matchday of this cup. AV Alta meanwhile are riding a three match unbeaten run into this game and are off the back of an impressive 2-1 win at home over Charlotte last week. I like these odds on the hosts to pick up a result at minimum from this game, but given how Oakland has played in previous weeks, AV Alta to win in 90’ might be too tempting to pass up.
Bet: AV Alta win or tie (1.44)
Parlays
ML Parlay:
Louisville, Charleston, Sacramento (4.58)
El Paso, New Mexico (5.29)
Over/Under 2.5 Goals Parlay:
Charleston v Greenville, Miami v Naples, Tampa Bay v Tormenta all over 2.5 goals (4.12)
Westchester v Hartford, Phoenix v New Mexico both over 2.5 goals (3.14)
Pittsburgh v Rhode Island, Tulsa v Birmingham both under 2.5 goals (3.69)
Underdog Parlay:
Chattanooga win, Naples win or tie (5.72)
Monterey Bay win or tie, Pittsburgh win or tie (2.30)
Kaylor Hodges ™ No-Draws after 90’ played parlay: 43.71 (all games except for Richmond v North Carolina)
Non-USL Related Bets:
Other Soccer:
Champions League final, Paris Saint Germain v Inter Milan
BTTS (1.80)
Ousmane Dembele (PSG) score or assist (1.95)
A final score of 1-1 after 90’ is 6.00 odds
MLS:
Charlotte win or tie v Toronto, over 1.5 total goals (1.70)
San Jose win or tie v St Louis City SC (1.70)
Miami v Columbus: BTTS, over 2.5 goals, Suarez score anytime (2.62)
Cincinnati ML, Philadelphia win or tie (2.22)
Other Sports:
Friday College Baseball:
Vanderbilt -3.5 spread v Wright State (1.80)
Ole Miss -2.5 spread v Murray State (1.80)
Mississippi State, Oregon State, Dallas Baptist all ML (2.82)
Friday MLB:
Mets -1.5 spread v Rockies (1.66)
Yankees at Dodgers over 9 runs (1.95)
Ohtani and Judge each 1+ hit (1.90)
Run in first inning - Yes (1.76)
Red Sox at Braves: Acuna Jr 1+ strikeout and under 9.5 runs (2.70)
Cardinals at Rangers: Under 8.5 runs (2.05)
White Sox at Orioles over 9 runs and Giants at Marlins 8.5 runs parlay (3.36)
New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers Game Six
Pacers ML, Over 211.5 total points (2.15)
Tyrese Haliburton over 20.5 points (1.83)
French Open:
Three leg parlay of Pegula, Gauff and Keys ML (2.41) - Saturday matches
Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix
Oscar Piastri to win (2.37)
Fernando Alonso points finish (1.50), however given how unlucky he has been this year, betting on him to not have a points finish may give better odds.
Over 18.5 classified drivers (1.83)
Isack Hadjar points finish (1.72)
Oliver Bearman to beat Esteban Ocon in qualifying (1.72)
NASCAR, Cracker Barrel 400 from Nashville Superspeedway:
Ross Chastain top ten finish (1.57)
Denny Hamlin top five finish (1.90)
Toyota winning manufacturer (2.70)
Kurt Busch to beat Ty Gibbs h2h (1.83)
Joey Logano to beat Brad Keselowski (1.80)
Final Thoughts
Follow me on Bluesky @ilm-ryan.bsky.social and follow the USL Show, @theUSLshow.bsky.social.