MLS Playoffs are underway!

The MLS is beginning their Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs journey. And they were the fifth “major” sports league to play last Monday, bringing an historic addition to the “every major sports league playing on one day!” So where are the Crew and FC Cincinnati? Let’s look at the first round results to date.

 

MLS Playoff Structure

The MLS playoffs are composed first of a Wild Card match for the 8 and 9 seeds. Seeds 1-7 automatically qualify for a first round Best-of-3 Series. The winners then head to the conference semifinals, followed quickly by the Conference Finals. The MLS Cup presented by Audi falls on December 7th, where the Eastern conference finalist battles the Western winner.

 

Last year, Columbus defeated LAFC for the MLS Cup. But this year, the Crew has stumbled out of the gate while FC Cincinnati seems to have risen above their season-long injury nightmare.

 

Wild Card Results

 

East – Atlanta defeated Montreal in penalty kicks (PKs), 5-4 after a 2-2 draw. Atlanta then drew Messi and Inter Miami.

West – Vancouver shut out Portland, 5-0. They then faced LAFC in the Best-of-3 Series.

 

Best-of-3 Series out West

 

So far the only team to make it into the semis are LA Galaxy. They crushed Colorado, 5-0 in the first leg then 4-1 in the second.

 

Real Salt Lake is in trouble. They lost their first match, 0-0 (5-4 PKs) to Minnesota, winners of four of their last five matches to get to the playoffs. The Loons of Minnesota can close out the series with a win at home tonight.

 

Sunday’s MLS Western schedule

 

LAFC can move on with a win over Vancouver. Houston and Seattle should be a classic with the Sounders defeating their southern guests, 0-0 (5-4 in PKs). I’m betting on a third game, here.

 

Best-of-3 in the East for MLS

 

No team as of yet has qualified to the semifinals. Miami and FC Cincinnati can today. Miami was good in their 2-1 win over Atlanta. But Atlanta stayed tough in the match thanks to Brad Guzan in goal. Atlanta will be rocking. But Inter Miami and Messi’s buddies move on.

 

FCC had perhaps their best game all year as they grabbed the 1-0 win over NYCFC. NY had a chance late in the match, but Cincy was pretty dominant in ball control all match. Expect FCC to move on tonight.

 

Last night, Charlotte grabbed their first ever playoff win over Orlando with another 0-0 (3-1 PKs) match. Next Saturday will be the deciding game for these two teams to see who will most likely face Miami.

 

MLS Sunday

 

The Crew is facing a tough task. They need to defeat the Red Bulls in tomorrow’s match. Somehow, RBNY grabbed the first match in Columbus with a 1-0 victory. RBNY started with their foot on the accelerator and scored in the first half. The second half saw Columbus with numerous opportunities, but Red Bulls netminder, Carlos Coronel, was huge in save after save. 

 

The Crew’s Diego Rossi is expected to play even with a bad back that has kept him out of the last match. The Crew him and the rest of the offense if they want to have a chance to defend their 2023 title.

 

Soccer fans, time to invite friends over for an MLS weekend of intense matches. Fire up the grill! Or order your favorite dinner fare. The fact MLS uses Apple TV and the MLS Season Pass for matches is a story for another day. Don’t have it? Call your friend and invite yourself over with food, drink and more food and drink!

 

This 2024 season has been fascinating with injuries, upsets, transfers having major impacts, and talk of teams moving (bye-bye Montreal, hello Detroit?). World Soccer Talk and their podcast had a great episode on improving Apple TV. If you have an hour, grab a listen! It’s a year old, but they are spot on!

Stay well, everyone!