MLS Cup Playoff Predictions: Can Messi Information Inter Miami Out the First Spherical?

[ad_1] Argentina famous person Lionel Messi. South Korea playmaker Son Heung-min. U.S. males's staff duo Tim Ream and Matt Freese.

You will probably be seeing them at subsequent 12 months's 48-team World Cup, which would be the largest version of the event ever. However earlier than we get to that, they will all be aiming to raise the MLS Cup.

The primary spherical of the MLS Cup playoffs kick off on Friday as 16 groups (eight from every convention) sq. off in a best-of-three sequence. The winners advance within the bracket, with all eyes set on the MLS Cup ultimate on Dec. 6.

How will the first-round sequence shake out? Let's break them down and make some predictions:

JUMP TO: Japanese Convention | Western Convention

Philadelphia Union (1) vs. Chicago Fireplace (8) Perennial MLS Cup contenders beneath beloved longtime coach (and Philadelphia native) Jim Curtin, the low-spending Union fired Curtin after lacking the playoffs final 12 months, then orchestrated one of many best turnarounds in MLS historical past. Underneath first-year boss Bradley Carnell, Philly received the Supporters Protect as the highest common season performer for the second time in membership historical past.

Now they've their sights on MLS Cup after coming agonizingly shut in 2022, shedding on penalties to LAFC in an epic ultimate.

Beating the Fireplace is the 1st step. Gregg Berhalter’s facet dispatched Orlando with ease, giving the onetime MLS energy its first postseason win in 16 years.

Outlasting the Union over three video games, if it involves that, with the decider away from dwelling presents a much more tough problem for Berhalter’s facet. Win or lose, it should present precious expertise for the longer term.

Prediction: Philadelphia in 2

FC Cincinnati (2) vs. Columbus Crew (7) Whether or not you like the "Hell is Actual" rivalry or the "Battle of Ohio," these in-state foes may have bragging rights on the road once they kick off their sequence inside what needs to be a raucous TQL Stadium in Cincy on Monday.

It’s a grudge match, to make certain, however each groups have high quality. FCC received the Supporters Protect in 2023. The Crew captured that fall’s MLS Cup, then received the 2024 Leagues Cup and superior all the best way to that 12 months's Concacaf ultimate.

Columbus fell again to earth this season, however that championship pedigree ensures they’ll nonetheless be a tricky out. Cincinnati stays the favourite, although, with star Brazilian attacker Evander the potential difference-maker over a sequence that neutrals are hoping goes the gap.

Prediction: Cincinnati in 3

Inter Miami (3) vs. Nashville SC (6) Since hoisting that Supporters Protect final season, Miami has come up empty. The Herons have been unceremoniously dumped out of the playoffs by ninth-seeded Atlanta United final October. They have been eradicated at dwelling by Vancouver within the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. And whereas they have been the one MLS facet to outlive group play on the high-profile FIFA Membership World Cup over the summer season, they have been embarrassed by European champs Paris Saint-Germain — Messi’s former membership — of their lone knockout stage take a look at.

None of that issues now, as Miami opens the 2025 playoffs with a clear slate. Historical past is on their facet towards Nashville. Messi scored twice in Tennessee final weekend to safe the Golden Boot. Miami additionally beat the Yellow-and-Blues within the Leagues Cup finale and U.S. Open Cup semis in 2023, and in Concacaf play final 12 months.

Nonetheless, the underdogs like their possibilities. "This is a chance as a result of we all know them. We performed them final week," Nashville star Hany Mukhtar instructed MLSSoccer.com. "That is a bonus for us."

Perhaps, however Miami is hell-bent on successful American soccer’s most necessary piece of {hardware} and sending retiring veterans Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets off into the sundown on a excessive word.

Prediction: Inter Miami in 3

Charlotte FC (4) vs. New York Metropolis FC (5) Even after The Crown transferred U.S. striker Patrick Agyemang to England’s Derby County midseason, there may be loads of cause for U.S. nationwide staff followers to tune into this one. With Tim Ream captaining Charlotte and the Pigeons having Matt Freese in objective, two projected World Cup starters for the USMNT will probably be vying for a spot within the quarterfinals.

Harvard graduate Freese, who has manned the online in every of the USMNT’s final 10 video games, is a finalist for the league’s Goalkeeper of the Yr award. Ream, who turned 38 years younger final month, continues going sturdy a 12 months after returning to MLS from the Premier League.

Not a lot separates these golf equipment, as their spots within the ultimate standings would counsel. So the distinction may come all the way down to the absence of Charlotte star Wilfried Zaha, who acquired a ninetieth minute purple card on Choice Day that can rule him out of Tuesday’s opener in North Carolina.

Prediction: NYCFC in 3

San Diego FC (1) vs. Portland Timbers (8) Enlargement facet San Diego shocked nearly all people by not simply making the playoffs of their maiden marketing campaign, however by ending forward of conventional Western Convention powers like the 2 big-spending Los Angeles franchises and a Seattle facet that has reached 4 MLS Cup finals within the final decade.

San Diego’s immediate success feels lots like St. Louis’ two seasons in the past. It additionally looks like the kind of staff that can get came upon rapidly within the postseason, when expertise actually issues. Add in the truth that the provision of star Mexican nationwide staff striker Hirving "Chucky" Lozano is unsure due to a public blowup with SDFC coach Mikey Varas, and we’re choosing Portland right here.

Prediction: Timbers in 2

Vancouver Whitecaps (2) vs. FC Dallas (7) Like Philadelphia, the ‘Caps missed the playoffs final 12 months and made a training probability forward of this season. And like Philly, Vancouver was an elite MLS staff all season towards all odds, reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup ultimate and lacking out on the Supporters Protect solely on objective distinction. The Canadian facet improved all through 2025, too. In the summertime, they added Germany legend Thomas Muller to a backbone that already included Defender of the Yr finalist Tristan Blackmon and fellow U.S. nationwide staff common Sebastian Berhalter.

On the opposite facet, Dallas barely eked into the Prime 7 in its personal convention, narrowly avoiding the wild card sport. It’s exhausting to see them gorgeous a vastly superior opponent and bonafide title challenger over three video games when the journey and turf discipline that Vancouver performs on north of the border at BC Place are factored in.

Prediction: Whitecaps in 2

LAFC (3) vs. Austin FC (6) Not a lot has gone proper for LAFC since successful its solely MLS championship again in 2022. Steve Cherundolo’s staff returned to the MLS Cup ultimate a 12 months later, solely to lose in Columbus. They’ve additionally misplaced three different finals since, although LAFC did declare the U.S. Open Cup for the primary time in 2024.

Whether or not the Black & Gold can add to their trophy case on Dec. 6 and ship Cherundolo off — he’s heading again to Europe along with his German-born spouse and kids — with a second title in 4 years stays to be seen. However LAFC ought to at the least have the ability to dispatch an Austin staff that has been removed from convincing in 2025; the Verde completed the common season by shedding three of their final 4 matches. The silver lining for ATX followers? The opposite outcome was a 1-0 victory over LAFC on the penultimate match day.

Prediction: LAFC in 2

Minnesota United (4) vs. Seattle Sounders (5) For all of the Sounders’ big-game expertise — along with their playoff and Concacaf Champions Cup chops, Seattle confronted PSG, Atletico Madrid and Brazilian titan Botafogo on this 12 months’s Membership World Cup — dwelling discipline remains to be king in MLS. However do not underestimate the Loons, who have been quietly glorious all season, making a deep run if they will get previous Brian Schmetzer’s facet.

Regardless of successful simply one among their final 4 matches, Minnesota is strictly the form of staff that may upset the perceived pure order in a parity-driven circuit, particularly towards an opponent that has conceded extra objectives than all however two of the 16 MLS Cup playoff entrants.

Prediction: Minnesota in 3

Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports activities who has coated United States males's and ladies's nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Observe him @ByDougMcIntyre.

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