From a birds eye view right now, one could argue that all roads lead through either San Diego or Los Angeles when it comes to a Western Conference representative for the MLS Cup final. While some might suggest its way to early to tell, both teams looked dominant in their Game 1 matchups — even if they didn’t necessarily run away with the final scorelines.
There’s also Vancouver, who picked up a emphatic Game 1 win against FC Dallas that also certainly has something to say about that claim. With that said, here’s a look at the matchups before Game 2 of the Best-of-3 series resumes this weekend.
No. 1 San Diego FC at No. 8 Portland
Saturday, 9:30 p.m., Apple TV+
It wasn’t like San Diego dominated Portland on the scoresheet, but it’s the playoffs, teams rarely do. However, where San Diego certainly held an edge was in possession and moving the ball effectively around Portland’s midfield press. Paced by the play of forward Anders Dreyer, who scored the first goal in SD’s playoff debut, the Timbers will need to keep wraps on him to keep this game close.
Boding well for Portland is the homefield advantage. The Timbers Army has always made Providence Park a tough place to play and San Diego is about to experience it, playoff style. Still, if SDFC can run a repeat of their performance in Game 1 expect Portland to find its season come to an end on Saturday night.
Prediction: San Diego 2, Portland 2 (SD wins 4-2 on PKs)
No. 2 Vancouver at No. 7 FC Dallas
Saturday, 9:30 p.m. ET; Apple TV+
This Vancouver team has been fun to watch and that was before the arrival of German legend Thomas Müller. Now, with Müller, this team has been electric, entering Game 2 at Toyota Park up a game behind a 3-0 thumping of Dallas at BC Place.
This one will come down to whether or not, Dallas can get back to playing like Dallas, and not chasing the game like it did in Game 1. They’ll also need forward Petar Musa to be more effective. Musa leads the team this season behind an 18 goal outburst coupled with six assists, but he was silent in Game 1. That’ll need to change or Vancouver is running away with this round.
Prediction: Vancouver 2, FC Dallas 1
No. 3 LAFC at No. 6 Austin FC
Sunday, 8:45 p.m. ET; Apple TV+
There arguably might not be a team more exciting to watch than LAFC right now. The star power of Son Heung-Min is backed by the play of a collective unit all on support of their front four, which alongside Son, is French forward Denis Bouanga, who is scoring at will. Bouanga scored in Game 1 off a great ball into him from Son. It’s the type of one-two punch Austin was unable to figure out.
Now, with the series heading to Austin, there’s no reason to believe that even at home ATX will be able to leapfrog LAFC and force a Game 3. Expect LAFC to roll away from BMO Field and push itself into the Western Conference semifinals.
Prediction: LAFC 3, Austin 1
No. 4 Minnesota at No. 5 Seattle Sounders FC
Monday, 10:45 p.m., Apple TV+
It’s a late one, but worth the watch. This might be the most evenly matched affair in the MLS Playoffs this season. It took extras and a monster save form Minnesota’s Dayne St. Clair to lift MUFC and put them in the driver’s seat to move on to the semifinals.
But it’s not a lock. Seattle’s experience in MLS’s postseason is unmatched and led by stalwart midfielder Cristian Roldán, the Sounders are still the team to beat, especially at home. Also forward Jordan Morris is due for a goal, and it’s not out of the question he nets the gamewinner should they find a goal in regulation.
Prediction: Minnesota 1, Seattle 1 (Seattle wins 5-4 on PKs)
