All articles tagged with #mls cup playoffs
Inter Miami CF has advanced to the MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time after defeating Nashville SC 4-0, and will face FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on November 22 or 23, with the exact date to be announced soon.
This guide helps new and resigned fans choose a team to root for in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, highlighting key teams' strengths, personalities, and unique qualities to find the perfect bandwagon team.
Inter Miami's historic MLS season ended with a first-round playoff exit after a 3-2 loss to Atlanta United. Despite Lionel Messi scoring his first postseason goal to tie the match, Atlanta's Bartosz Slisz and Jamal Thiaré secured the upset. Inter Miami, the top seed with a record 74 points, was eliminated by the ninth-seeded Atlanta, who advanced to face Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Messi's season concludes without an MLS Cup title, despite leading the league in goals and payroll.
FC Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union face off in the MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinal at TQL Stadium. Philadelphia Union will be looking to avenge last year's loss to FC Cincinnati in the same stage of the playoffs. Both teams have key absences and will need strong performances from their remaining players. FC Cincinnati boasts a strong roster led by attacking midfielder Luciano Acosta, while Philadelphia Union will rely on their patchwork defense to contain Cincinnati's dangerous attackers. The key matchup to watch will be between Philadelphia's Jose Martinez and Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta. The prediction favors FC Cincinnati with a 2-1 victory.
The Seattle Sounders have the opportunity to secure home-field advantage in the MLS Cup Playoffs after Sporting KC's upset victory. They are now three home games away from qualifying for their fifth MLS Cup. The first game is against FC Dallas, and the Sounders are expecting a crowd of about 33,000. With a strong home record and experienced players, the team is confident in their chances. Reed Baker-Whiting and João Paulo are expected to be available despite some injury concerns.
FC Cincinnati advanced to the next round of the MLS Cup Playoffs after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the New York Red Bulls. However, the win may have come at a cost as Cincinnati suffered injuries to key players and will be without influential center back Matt Miazga due to suspension. The match was marred by physicality and controversial moments, including a potential game-winning goal overturned by Video Review and debris thrown from the stands. Despite the challenges, Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan praised his team's resilience and emphasized the need to learn from the experience.
FC Cincinnati advanced to the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs after defeating the New York Red Bulls in a marathon penalty shootout. After equalizing in the latter stages of the match, Cincinnati won in the 10th round of penalty kicks to secure a sweep in its best-of-three series against New York.
The Seattle Sounders face FC Dallas in the MLS Cup Playoffs, with the Sounders having the advantage in previous matchups. Both teams have similar playing styles, but the Sounders have performed better throughout the regular season. Experience is a key factor, as the Sounders have a roster with players who have won championships before. However, the team's aging core and underperforming designated players pose challenges. The Sounders will rely on strong performances from Raúl Ruidíaz and Nico Lodeiro. Both teams are on nine-game unbeaten runs. The vibe within the Sounders camp is relaxed, but they need to keep winning to maintain it. Reed Baker-Whiting is injured for the Sounders, while FC Dallas will be without Facundo Quignon. Bernard Kumongo's muscle injury is a concern for FC Dallas. The projected lineups and key details for the match are provided.
A bandwagon fan's guide to the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs provides suggestions for new fans or those without a clear rooting interest on which teams to support in the postseason. The guide highlights the unique stories and characteristics of each team, such as FC Cincinnati's remarkable turnaround, Orlando City SC's underappreciated success, and Columbus Crew's beautiful attacking style. It also includes teams like the Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, Atlanta United, Nashville SC, New York Red Bulls, St. Louis CITY SC, Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake, Vancouver Whitecaps, and FC Dallas, each with their own distinct identities and strengths.
Charlotte FC needs a win in their final regular-season match against Inter Miami and for at least two of the three teams above them in the standings (CF Montreal, New York Red Bulls, and Chicago Fire FC) to drop points in their matches in order to secure a spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. The team's draw against Inter Miami keeps their playoff hopes alive, but they must rely on other results going their way. If Charlotte FC wins and the other teams falter, they could potentially finish in 8th place and host the Wild Card match.
The Seattle Sounders secured their spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs with a last-minute 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy. Jordan Morris opened the scoring early on, but Douglas Costa equalized for the Galaxy. In stoppage time, Cristian Roldan scored the winning goal to give the Sounders all three points. This win extends Seattle's unbeaten streak against the Galaxy to 11 matches in MLS.
Several teams in the Eastern Conference and one team in the Western Conference have the opportunity to clinch a spot in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs on Matchday 33. Orlando, Philadelphia, Columbus, and Atlanta have all had their playoff berths determined, while New England's chances were eliminated. St. Louis has multiple scenarios to clinch, while Toronto faces elimination if they lose and other results go against them.