MLS Leading Goalscorer Predictions, Picks & Odds 2021

• LAFC star striker Carlos Vela leads the race for the 2021 Golden Boot.
• With 27 teams now in the mix for MLS, there’s a wealth of goalscoring options.
• Could longshots like Javier Hernandez and Gyasi Zardes make a case for themselves?

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The 2021 MLS season is now back in full swing! With a total of 27 teams now battling it out this year, there seems to be no lack of options when it comes to highlighting some of the elite players who will be regularly finding the back of the net.

But who are the favorites? Check out the odds below.

MLS Leading Goalscorer Odds For 2021 Season

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MLS Leading Goalscorer Predictions and Picks

As several fans and media have pointed out online, national team competitions like the Copa America and Gold Cup could mean that some of these players will not be available for a stretch of games during the summer.

Vela is not one of those. With a falling out with Mexico’s national team that has yet to be resolved (and is unlikely to be resolved), there will be no other focus this year for him than with LAFC. And of course, on paper, it also doesn’t hurt that he’s the most talented player listed.

Pick:

Vela to be the leading goalscorer (+375)

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Unsurprisingly, it’s Carlos Vela, Josef Martinez, and Raul Ruidiaz who are the current top candidates for the Golden Boot award. Most league experts have mentioned these three attackers — and especially Vela — when it comes to leading in goalscoring.

That said, who are other names we should keep an eye on, and most importantly, is LAFC’s star figure ready for another dominant year?

LAFC’s Vela Headlines The 2021 List Of Favorites

It’s the most straightforward and likely scenario: Vela will be the Golden Boot winner this season. He’s arguably the most talented player in the league, he has plenty to prove after an unexciting 2020 that was impacted by injuries, and as long as he can stay healthy, he’ll be leading the charts.

As many media members have pointed out online, Vela’s animosity with the Mexican national team means that he won’t be called up for international duty either. After leading the league in scoring in 2019, the LAFC winger looks ready to earn himself another individual plaudit.

But what about Martinez? Although he’s coming back from a lengthy knee injury, few players in the league can match the Atlanta United striker’s tenacity, strength, and clever finishing. More so than Vela, he’s got a point to make after missing almost the entirety of the 2020 season.

Seattle’s Ruidiaz is next in line. He’s a well-rounded goalscorer who can hit shots from distance, and in big matches, the Peruvian rarely shy away when it comes to clutch moments. There’s consistency with his scoring as well. In the last few years, he’s rarely had any issues with finding the back of the net in Liga MX or MLS.

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A Wealth Of Underdogs Could Still Overtake The Front-Runners

But what other names should we keep an eye on?

Let’s not forget that in 2020, it was LAFC’s Diego Rossi who won the Golden Boot award with 14 goals to his name. Granted, this was due in fact to Vela’s injury problems — and Vela put up 34 goals in 2019 — but there are no doubts that the pacey Uruguayan will be finishing some opportunities through dangerous runs.

It’s easy to forget that Gonzalo Higuain is in the league as well. After a less-than-exciting debut season, the Inter Miami striker has now had more time to adjust to his surroundings. The Chicago Fire’s Robert Beric will be in his second season as well, and as opposed to Higuain, Beric had a promising debut year in MLS with 12 goals in 2020.

As for a few other underdogs: There will be high expectations for Brenner over in FC Cincinnati, Sporting Kansas City’s Alan Pulido has all of the makings of a well-balanced striker that could take charge in his second MLS season, and Kacper Przybyłko could thrive up top in what should be another noteworthy year for the Philadelphia Union.

Goalscorers Who Might Be Overlooked

Who else is left from the bunch?

There’s reason to look at the LA Galaxy’s Javier Hernandez. In spite of his poor run through the previous MLS season, the former Manchester United poacher continues to have the skills and abilities that could make him a lethal striker in MLS.

Columbus Crew’s Gyasi Zardes has scored 13+ goals in his previous 3 MLS seasons, Jeremy Ebobisse looks like one of the more exciting young names over at the Portland Timbers, and New England Revolution’s Gustavo Bou could catch everyone by surprise with his powerful finishing.

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