Copyright GIVEMESPORT
And then there were eight. It took long enough with MLS' wonky best-of-three Round One format, but the field of eight teams for the conference semifinals has been decided, and it's more or less who we expected. Eastern Conference No. 5 seed New York City FC pulled the only "upset" according to seeding, and there were lots of concerns about No. 4 seed Charlotte FC heading into their series. Otherwise, chalk prevailed. But that doesn't necessarily mean that trend will continue when single-elimination play commences following the November international break. Here's how we rank the remaining MLS Cup Playoff field's chances to win MLS Cup, based on their current path and recent form. 1 San Diego FC West Semifinal: vs. Minnesota United Seed: West No. 1 Round One opponent: Beat Portland in 3 games Best playoff finish: This year Technically, West No. 1 seed San Diego FC required a third game to defeat an overmatched Portland Timbers side. But the series never felt that close, and only went the distance because of a last-gasp equalizer and a Timbers win on penalties in Game 2. Now Mikey Varas' side gets to host the worst remaining side in the MLS Cup Playoff field before a raucous home crowd. 2 Philadelphia Union East semifinal: vs. New York City FC Seed: East No. 1 Round One: Beat Chicago in 2 games Best playoff finish: MLS Cup final (2022) The Philadelphia Union re-discovered their scoring boots in a two-game set against a Chicago side that was playing better than its No. 8 seed. After scoring five goals in that series, the Union won't say it publicly, but Bradley Carnell's squad will feel fortunate that they'll face NYCFC in the semifinals rather than Miami or Cincinnati. 3 Vancouver Whitecaps West semifinal: vs. LAFC Round One: Beat Dallas in 2 games Best playoff finish: West semifinal (2015, 2017) The Vancouver Whitecaps made quick work of a Dallas side that was in arguably the best form in MLS entering the postseason. Now they get LAFC, a team that rivaled Dallas for the best form late in the regular season, but one whom the Whitecaps will feel they have loads of unfinished business against after recent postseason defeats. 4 Inter Miami East semifinal: at FC Cincinnati Round One: Beat Nashville in 3 games Best playoff finish: This year Lionel Messi basically won Inter Miami CF's Round One series against Nashville on his own, scoring or assisting on all eight of the Herons' goals. But Messi has always bossed Nashville. Now Miami faces a Cincy quad that has historically done quite well at limiting the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, and most likely a difficult trip to Philadelphia if they progress further. 5 LAFC West semifinal: at Vancouver Whitecaps Round One: Beat Austin in 2 games Best playoff finish: MLS Cup winner (2022) Los Angeles FCproved — to little surprise — that they were a different side with Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga both on the field. With that tandem, they easily swept an Austin side that had earned two regular season victories against a much weaker version of LAFC. That said, the Black-and-Gold now face a first-ever playoff meeting against Vancouver without home-field advantage. 6 FC Cincinnati East semifinal: vs. Inter Miami Round One: Beat Columbus in 3 games Best playoff finish: East final (2023) FC Cincinnati finally slayed their in-state nemesis in a postseason series, and they won't have any fear facing a Miami side they've handled well in previous meetings. But the list of MLS teams that have defeated Messi multiple times in one season is extremely short. And Cincy was still outscored by the Crew over three matches. 7 New York City FC East semifinal: at Philadelphia Union Round One: Beat Charlotte in 3 games Best playoff finish: MLS Cup winner (2023) Nicolas Fernandez Mercau put on his best performance yet for New York City FC in a 3-1 victory over Charlotte in Game 3. But The Crown looked depleted without the services of injured influential attacker Pep Biel. And the Cityzens will have no such luck against a Philadelphia side that is deep and healthy. 8 Minnesota United West semifinal: at San Diego FC Round One: Beat Seattle in 3 games Best playoff finish: West final (2020)
