MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Finals
Just four teams remain in MLS Cup picture
And just like that, there were only four left. That’s right, it’s only October 28, yet by midweek we’ll know who will have a chance at the MLS Cup. This time last year, the MLS regular season was coming to a close on Decision Day, and we had a whole month of playoff soccer left to come before the final showdown in early December.
If the new format has taught us one thing, it’s that things move fast; just ask New York City FC, who finished the season first in the Eastern Conference just to watch it all crumble in 90 minutes’ time. The new playoff format has definitely made things more exciting for the spectators, but that excitement comes with the price of a brutal exit for some.
Four teams remain in the running: in the East, the defending champions Atlanta United will take on the previous year’s champion, Toronto FC, while out West, the Supporters’ Shield winners, LAFC, will try to get past the sturdy Seattle Sounders at Banc of California Stadium. Let’s dive into the details.
LAFC v Seattle Sounders FC
LAFC’s first win over its city rivals couldn’t have come at a better time. In one of the most anticipated playoff games in MLS history, head coach Bod Bradley and his men emerged victorious 5-3, with league MVP Carlos Vela putting his name twice on the scoresheet.
On the other end is a familiar foe: the Seattle Sounders FC, who has qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs for a 12th consecutive year, will be looking to qualify for its third final in four years. Although LAFC is the definite favourite heading into this one, it may face one of its stiffest tests this season.
Although Seattle has three clean sheets in its last four games, LAFC’s attack is an entirely different ballgame. Not to mention Seattle’s stats in the back may be bonified by the performances of goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who’s been known to make the spectacular save from time to time.
If the man between the posts is as good as we know he can be come Tuesday night, then the Sounders will most certainly have a chance. But they’re also a team that gave up 33 goals in a 17-game stretch until September, so they’ll need to make sure to stray away from that.
Atlanta United v Toronto FC
We continue proceedings Wednesday night in the East, with two teams that are no strangers to this stage of the competition; this is Toronto’s third Conference final in four years, and Greg Vanney’s men know the hardships this round has to offer. Atlanta, on the other hand, makes its second appearance in the semi-final stage, the Five Stripes winning the MLS Cup last time around.
What can we expect from this showdown? Well, both teams have firepower, and lots of it. Atlanta United will want to show some of it off against the Canadian side, but defense will certainly have its part to play. If Atlanta United managed its eighteenth clean sheet of the year in its last game against Philadelphia, large question marks remain over their defensive line, as centre-back Miles Robinson is ruled out of this fixture, while Michael Parkhurst remains questionable.
Pair that to the potential return from injury of TFC striker Jozy Altidore, and it could spell trouble for Frank de Boer’s men.
