Soccer is the most popular game in the world and one of the fastest-growing sports in America. Soccer’s growing popularity in the United States comes on the cusp of unprecedented accessibility. Thanks to streaming services like Peacock, Americans can (and have) watch professional soccer with unprecedented ease.

The game has also spread like wildfire in the form of a constantly expanding American professional league. The MLS has grown at a rate of around one team per year for the last decade and continues to enjoy significant popularity.

It’s a great time to be a soccer fan—all the better for people who like to enliven their spectator experience with a wager. ESPN Bet is accessible in Virginia and serves as a great way to place sports bets on a soccer match and add spice to your soccer viewing experience.

Interested in giving it a try? Read on to learn everything you need to know about the wide and interesting world of soccer betting.

Why is now the perfect time to bet on soccer?

It’s not just soccer’s rising popularity that makes now the perfect time to stake a wager. It’s also the growing access to sports betting. Not so long ago, sporting fans often had to travel if they wanted to place a bet. Places like Las Vegas served as central hubs for staked sports viewing, while the rest of the country was sidelined.

That’s changed significantly with the rise of legalized online betting. Nearly 40 states now allow sporting fans to place bets from their phones, making it an accessible way to keep sporting events more interesting.

Decoding Team Dynamics

To bet well, you first need to understand how teams work together. Surface-level fans may appreciate the accomplishments of specific players, but experienced betters know to look beyond that.

The key to winning bets is to understand the chemistry teammates share. How do specific players complement one another? How will the team be impacted when a certain player has to miss a game?

As you’re decoding teams, pay attention to the managerial aspects as well. Team leadership can make or break game outcomes

Player Contracts and Transfers

Master soccer betters also pay close attention to player contracts. They know when someone is going to be traded, or when a star player will reach free-agent status. These details are important for developing a long-term strategy, but they can also help you in the present as well.

Some players tend to perform differently in the months immediately preceding a transfer. Understanding these patterns and implementing them in your betting strategy can help improve your odds.

Numbers That Matter: Statistical Analysis for Winning Bets

While there are no sure things in betting, understanding stats will certainly be to your benefit. Before a staked match, take a look at each team’s percentages. High-quality betting isn’t about picking the best team. It’s about recognizing how very specific statistical facts can influence the outcome of a match.

Supposedly inferior teams often achieve upset victories against teams with better records because they excel at specific criteria. Even superficial stats—like how a team performs at home versus away, can tilt the odds in your favor.

Not only is stat-led betting practical but it can help you move away from personal bias. It’s very natural to want to stake bets that favor your preferred team. However, doing so can be expensive if your favorite players are in a funk. Cheer for the teams you love but make sure your bets are based on probability.

Bet Responsibly

Betting advice always risks dipping into the nefarious territory of promise. Please note that all of the recommendations supplied above are provided in good faith to improve your odds. Also note, however, that those odds remain sub-optimal.

The average sports bettor only breaks even 52% of the time. Betting is not a consistent or dependable way to make money. Safe gambling should be seen as a hobby. To gamble responsibly, make sure that you never bet more than you can afford to lose.

Give Soccer a Try

Swept up by soccer fever? Don’t forget that there are many ways to enjoy the game. A growing number of Americans are taking their love of soccer to the fields. More people play soccer in the United States than ever before.

That includes adults! Consider taking your love of the game to the next level by engaging with soccer as a player as well as a fan. Research coaching and playing opportunities in your community. Many towns have league opportunities available for people at every level.

While the game is not easy, accessibility has always been one of its biggest selling points. All you need to get started is a little bit of grass, a ball, and some friends. There has never been a better time to do a deep dive into the world’s most popular game.