Wednesday evening saw the two remaining spots in the MLS Cup playoffs semi-finals filled. For Sporting Kansas City and D.C. United it was the end of the road, while Montreal Impact and Seattle Sounders FC joined Toronto FC, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas in the next round.
The latest additions now have just two days to recover before Major League Soccer action recommences. With the trophy now within touching distance, the eight remaining sides will be going all out to end their season in style, but which sides are likely to make it through to the next stage?
Montreal Impact vs New York Red Bulls
The first game in the Eastern Conference semi-finals sees Mauro Biello’s Montreal Impact side take on the NY Red Bulls. Of course, Jesse Marsch’s side are favourites to progress, having gained automatic qualification for the MLS Cup by topping the Eastern Conference, but Montreal Impact cannot be ruled out.
They did well to edge past a D.C. United side that they failed to beat in the regular season, but they face far tougher opposition here. With two legs to play, both sides will be confident of snatching a win at home, but it is likely to be away form that determines the aggregate result. With Bradley Wright-Phillips in superb form this year, he could be the man that decides it.
Prediction: NY Red Bulls
LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids
LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids kick off the Western Conference semi-finals, with LA Galaxy seeking to regain the MLS crown that they lost last season. Bruce Arena’s side have featured in seven of the last eight playoffs, but they could struggle to get past a Rapids side that were the second best team in the overall standings throughout the regular season.
However, this tie sees one of the Western Conference’s lowest goalscorers come up against the best - Colorado scored just 39 times throughout the regular season, while LA Galaxy netted 54 times. At this stage, the team that scores the most goals progresses and Arena’s side certainly have more in their locker.
Prediction: LA Galaxy
Toronto FC vs New York City FC
The second Eastern Conference tie sees two teams that have never reached this stage of the competition face off. Toronto reached the playoffs last season, but were unable to navigate through the first knockout round, while NYC FC struggled to get going in their inaugural season.
This year is different, with the club second best only to city rivals NY Red Bulls. With the best goals for tally in MLS this season, largely thanks to the feats of star striker David Villa, Patrick Vieira will be confident of taking his side one step further.
Prediction: NYC FC
Seattle Sounders FC vs FC Dallas
The final game of the round sees Western Conference leaders FC Dallas take on fourth placed Seattle Sounders, after Brian Schmetzer’s side narrowly scraped past Sporting Kansas City in the last knockout round.
With the US Open Cup and Supporters Shield already under their belts, FC Dallas will be hoping to make it three trophies from three this season. Having topped Seattle Sounders by 12 points in the regular season, FC Dallas are favourites, but it can’t be forgotten that Schmetzer’s side produced a 5-0 victory over the table-toppers earlier in the season.
The Sounders have displayed the better form going into the playoffs, but the incentive of becoming the first MLS side in history to produce a domestic treble should inspire Oscar Pareja’s side to snatch a victory.
Prediction: FC Dallas