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The MLS Cup Playoffs are finally back after an extended break between rounds one and two. With a place in the conference finals on the line, the games have officially become do or die.
Let’s dig into the four matchups.
LAFC vs Seattle Sounders
LAFC have been a thorn in Seattle’s side over the last few seasons. The SoCal club have defeated the Sounders on six straight occasions, and it’s never really been close.
But one thing remains true while Brian Schmetzer is at the helm for Seattle — they are as tough of an out as anybody in CONCACAF when it comes to knockout competitions.
Steve Cherundolo’s side looked vulnerable at times in the three-game series with Vancouver, conceding four goals across those three matchups.
Meanwhile, Seattle scored just once from open play in their series against Houston, not to mention the Dynamo were playing with 10-men through large portions of both games.
You wouldn’t put it past Seattle to grind out a result, but LAFC just know how to find an extra gear in home playoff matches.
OneFootball Prediction: LAFC advance
NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls
It is a Hudson River Derby for the ages, and the first in an MLS Cup knockout matchup for the two New York rivals.
After both sides completed opening-round upsets against the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati respectively, a pathway has opened up for the winner of this highly-anticipated derby showdown to make a truly special run.
While anything can happen in a derby, the recent history spells bad news for the Red Bulls as they were truly humiliated by NYCFC on home soil back in September by a staggering 5-1 margin.
But with the return of Emil Forsberg to the lineup for the playoffs, the Red Bulls should pose more of a threat.
It’s quite simple, each of these two sides possess talismanic attacking veterans, and goalkeepers who, on their night, can singlehandedly win you a game.
It’s arguably the closest remaining playoff matchup, and we can’t wait.
OneFootball Prediction: NYCFC advance
LA Galaxy vs Minnesota United
Forget Inter Miami and their flashy new toys — the Galaxy are the true big-boys of MLS and they need to show it on Sunday against Minnesota United.
After winning their opening round series with Colorado by an aggregate score of 9-1 across two games, the Galaxy have proven to be the most complete team remaining in the MLS Cup Playoffs, and perhaps the most complete Galaxy side since the legendary era when they won three MLS Cups between 2011 and 2014.
But upsets are a regular occurrence in the playoffs, as we saw in the opening-round.
Minnesota have proven to be a dangerous side on the break, lead from the front by Kelvin Yeboah, and have a goalkeeper in Dayne St. Clair who has had his own share of super-hero performances.
Yet you just can’t look away from a Galaxy side that can hurt you from every angle, and their unrelenting firepower should push them onto the conference final.
OneFootball Predicition: LA Galaxy advance
Orlando City vs Atlanta United
We all saw it, we all loved it. Atlanta United pulled off arguably the biggest upset in MLS Cup history when they dispatched Inter Miami across three games, and they will look to shock some Floridians once again when they take on Orlando City.
The good news for Atlanta is Orlando does not possess the level of superstar prowess as Inter Miami, but the bad news is Óscar Pareja’s side won’t be nearly as vulnerable on the counter-attack.
Lead by Facundo Torres and a star-studded set of substitutes in to call on, Orlando came into the playoffs as arguably the hottest team in MLS and the vibe around Inter & Co Stadium is that they continue to ride that wave now deep into November.
The Five Stripes did win in Orlando on the final day of the season, but playoff football is something else entirely.
Was Atlanta’s win in Miami just a standard knockout fluke? Or has Rob Valentino found they key to unlock his expensively assembled squad? It should be another hotly contested showdown.
OneFootball Prediction: Atlanta United advance
© Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images