MLS Conference Quarterfinals Preview

The Wild Card games are in the books and it is now on to the Conference Quarterfinals. The quarters are best-of-three and all matches that end level after 90 minutes will go to a penalty shootout. That was not necessary on Friday night as Inter Miami took Game 1 against Atlanta United, 2-1, in Fort Lauderdale. Ryan Wallis has a recap of that match. Ivan Yeo sets us up for LA Galaxy’s tilt with Colorado Rapids as well as for LAFC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps.

Here are some other matchups to keep your eye on:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#3-FC Cincinnati (18-11-5) vs. #6-New York City FC (14-12-8) by Michael Allen

Oct 2, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC defender Mitja Ilenic (35) and FC Cincinnati defender Kevin Kelsy (19) battle for the ball in the second half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

This should be quite a game with the two teams having already faced up three other times this season. Cincinnati won both the home regular season game and the home Leagues Cup game earlier this year but, New York City sent Cincinnati packing as recently as October 2nd. New York City are in form, having lost only one game in their last five matches and are playing with confidence enough to beat anyone. Their sixth seeding is the lowest the team has ever entered the playoffs as a club, but the team is playing at a level that should be higher.  It all rests on which NYCFC show up. Alonso Martinez has been a revelation for the club. If he gets service he can score and likely will, but the young team has a habit of playing up or down to their competition. Santi Rodriguez and Maxi Morales working as distributors to Martinez are key. The team’s recent form gives them confidence for anything. . Playing a team as good as Cincinnati should inspire them but New York is not good on the road. For Cincy, it is the opposite. The team won eleven times on the road this season tying a record for the most all time in MLS. They have only won one match in their last five, however. For them it all runs through Luciano Acosta and he has a history of being a dagger when playing New York City. This match should be fun to watch with two good teams playing in an exciting environment.  One thing is for sure, the Cincinnati fans will create an amazing atmosphere Monday night. New York City will hope to match that in the second leg at Citi Field. With the margins between the teams this thin a win in the opening match could mean a lot.

Game 1:  Monday @ FC Cincinnati, 6:45pm ET (Apple TV/FS1)
Game 2:  November 2nd  @ NYCFC, 5pm ET (Apple TV)
Game 3:  November 9th @ FC Cincinnati, 4pm ET (Apple TV)*
*if necessary

#2-Columbus Crew (19-6-9) vs. #7-New York Red Bulls (11-9-14) by Dan Gaichas

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 19: Dante Vanzeir #13 of the New York Red Bulls advances the ball during the first half against the Columbus Crew at Red Bull Arena on October 19, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

The defending champions enter this tie going 5-1-1 in their last seven league matches. Finals have been a thing for the Crew in recent times. This season, they reached the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup as well as winning the Leagues Cup. Wilfried Nancy is one of the best coaches in North American Soccer right now and in Cucho Hernandez, he has the player that is the best attacking engine not named Lionel Messi in North America right now. Red Bulls come into this tilt having won just once in their last nine. Emil Forsberg was brought in from fellow Red Bull side RB Leipzig to score the goals, but it is Lewis Morgan who has been scoring them leading the club with 13. Dante Vanzier is another player to watch to see if Red Bulls can turn things around leading the club with ten assists.

Game 1:  Tuesday @ Columbus, 6:45pm ET (Apple TV/FS1)
Game 2:  November 3rd  @ New York, 4:30pm ET (Apple TV)
Game 3:  November 10th @ Columbus, 5pm ET (Apple TV)*
*if necessary

#4-Orlando City SC (15-12-7) vs. #5-Charlotte FC (14-11-9) by Dan Gaichas

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 18: Facundo Torres #10 of Orlando City battles for possession with Júnior Urso #30 of Charlotte FC during the game between Orlando City SC and Charlotte FC at Inter&Co Stadium on September 18, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Dustin Markland/Getty Images)

Both teams looked to be in danger of missing out on the playoffs at one point, but both would finish very strong. The Lions come into the playoffs winning six of their last eight league matches. This after a porous first half of the season. Martin Ojeda has been the midfield engine for Orlando since moving into the #10 spot in the lineup. The Crown’s season appeared to be teetering out of the playoffs before finishing 4-0-1 to end the regular season and with their best-ever finish. Kristijan Kahlina has been a brick wall in goal for Charlotte ranking third in goals allowed per 90 minutes.

Game 1:  Sunday @ Orlando, 7:30pm ET (Apple TV/FS1)
Game 2:  November 1st  @ Charlotte, 7:30pm ET (Apple TV)
Game 3:  November 9th @ Orlando, 6pm ET (Apple TV)*
*if necessary

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#4-Seattle Sounders FC (16-9-9) vs. Houston Dynamo (15-10-9) by Dan Gaichas

Photo: Paul Kahl

Yet another slow start followed by a strong finish for the Sounders. The S0unders went 11-2-2 in their final 14 games after going 5-7-7 in their first 19. They will not have Obed Vargas due to two yellows in four minutes against Portland on Decision Day. Jordan Morris is league the club in scoring with 13 goals while Albert Rusnak leads the Sounders with 16 assists. The Dynamo are a team where if everything can come together, they could cause damage. That has not happened as they have struggled with chances this year (21st in xG and 20th in goals scored). The Dynamo need Hector Herrera to work some magic to get the Dynamo moving in the playoffs, especially against a Sounders team who had their usual second half rally.

Game 1:  Monday @ Seattle, 5:50pm PT (Apple TV/FS1)
Game 2:  November 3rd  @ Houston, 3:30pm PT (Apple TV)
Game 3:  November 10th @ Seattle, 4pm PT (Apple TV)*
*if necessary

#3-Real Salt Lake (16-7-11) vs. #6-Minnesota United (15-12-7) by Dan Gaichas

SANDY, UT – OCTOBER 2: Brayan Vera #4 of Real Salt Lake holds on to Carlos Harvey #67 of Minnesota United FC during the first half of their game at America First Field on October 2, 2024 in Sandy, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

One wonders how well Real Salt Lake could have done had Andrews Gomez not headed off for Stade Rennais in Ligue 1. There is still very much enough talent for RSL to make a deep run into the playoffs. However, Chicho Arango has not been as stellar since Gomez’s departure. The Loons are in the playoffs despite the late arrival of coach Eric Ramsay, the departure (this time for good) of Emmanuel Reynoso. Everything came together for them down the stretch thanks to the play of Robin Lod and the goals of Bongokuhle Hlongwane.

Game 1:  Tuesday @ RSL, 6:50pm MT (Apple TV/FS1)
Game 2:  November 2nd  @ Minnesota, 8pm CT (Apple TV)
Game 3:  November 8th @ RSL, 7pm MT (Apple TV)*
*if necessary