Just eight teams remain in the MLS Cup Playoffs, and that includes one or two shock names in the conference semifinals.
After a few of the big-boys crashed out in the Eastern Conference, the race to MLS Cup Final feels as open as it can be.
Here we’ll rank the eight teams based on their chances of securing MLS glory in December. Let’s get into it.
8. Atlanta United
Atlanta United pulled off one of the all-time great MLS upsets in a three-game series against Inter Miami in the opening round. But upon reflection, Atlanta’s counterattack was the perfect kryptonite for Miami’s shoddy defensive core.
In the conference semifinal against Orlando City, they won’t have the luxury of a swiss-cheese defensive setup to rip through on the counter-attack at their leisure.
7. New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls, like Atlanta before them, shocked us all by knocking off the Columbus Crew in just two games. Both wins will live long in the memory of Red Bull fans, but coming up against rivals NYCFC in the next round could prove a bigger task given the emotional stakes of the tie.
Sandro Schwarz’s side did get production from the likes of Emil Forsberg, Lewis Morgan, and Dante Vanzeir in the opening round but they’ve rarely all played well together during the bulk of the campaign. They will likely have to be flawless once again to make a deep run.
6. Minnesota United
The Loons looked solid over two games against a Real Salt Lake team that put up huge numbers in the regular season. And in truth, there is little to criticize after the opening round triumph under a rookie head coach.
Minnesota’s problem now? They will have to get through Los Angeles to make any sort of deep run.
5. NYCFC
Nick Cushing’s side are the enigmas of the Eastern Conference. On their day they can look like one of the best teams in MLS, but on an off day they can be drawn into a mighty malaise.
But against their New York rivals this season, the Pigeons won two derby showdowns by a combined score of 6-2 and should be more than ready to come out firing in arguably the biggest Hudson River Derby of all time.
4. Seattle Sounders
The Sounders failed to impress for large stretches of the regular season, but few teams in MLS know how to win knockout games quite like a Brian Schemtzer team.
With a rock-solid defense and a knack for scoring timely goals, there is every chance we see the Western Conference trophy go through the Pacific Northwest this winter.
3. Orlando City
With all of the top-three seeds in the Eastern Conference now out of the playoffs, Orlando City have quickly become the top-dogs on that side of the bracket.
The deep attacking force combined with arguably the most clutch goalkeeping in the business is a recipe for postseason success. If you want to win the Eastern Conference, chances are you’re going to have to knock off Orlando on the way.
2. LAFC
LAFC may have looked shaky in match two against the Vancouver Whitecaps, but few teams are more feared in the Western Conference this time of year than Steve Cherundolo’s star-studded side.
In the final match of the opening round series against the ‘Caps, Olivier Giroud came off the bench to shake things up when the attack was looking stale – how many teams in MLS can call on that kind of firepower?
1. LA Galaxy
The Galaxy may have missed out on the top-seed on the final day of the season in catastrophic circumstances, but their opening-round triumph by a combined score of 9-1 against Colorado showed exactly why they pack the biggest punch of any team left in the competition.
All three of the the Galaxy’s dynamic attacking trio, Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec, and Joseph Painstil were firing in the best-of-three series, and frankly no defense in MLS can deal with that compliment of firepower when they get a head of steam.
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