MLS Cup Playoff Takeaways: Round 2

Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea from USA Today Sports

The MLS Cup conference finals are set, and we have two fantastic matchups ahead of us.

One of the top dogs in the west, and a rematch of last years east final.

Let’s discuss how we got here.

Philadelphia Union defeat FC Cincinnati 1-0

Match winners are important.

Sometimes, your match winner can simply be your goalkeeper.

Cincy had many chances to score, but MLS goalkeeper of the year Andre Blake shut the door every single time in order for Philly to survive and advance 1-0.

It wasn’t the prettiest game, but it got the job done.

Still, they’ll need to be better if they want to defeat NYCFC.

LAFC defeat LA Galaxy 3-2

Seattle and Portland, all bias aside, is the best rivalry in MLS.

It has hatred, the games are good and both clubs go back almost 50 years.

But if you’re looking for the rivalry in MLS that is the most fun, it’s easily El Trafico.

These games are wild, year in and year out.

Thursday night was no different at all.

It looked like LAFC had stolen it late with a goal to make it 2-1, the second from Denis Bouanga.

That was immediately followed by an 85th minute golazo from Dejan Joveljic.

And even that wasn’t enough for El Trafico, because Chicho Arango (who LAFC inexplicably wanted to replace midseason) scored in the 93rd minute to send the Shield winners to the conference final.

El Trafico is must watch every year if you’re a soccer fan.

You don’t even need to like MLS to appreciate this rivalry.

NYCFC defeat CF Montreal 3-1

Honestly, there’s not much to say about this game except NYCFC play a beautiful brand of soccer.

Just an absolute blast to watch, and a great foundation knowing they can lose key pieces to their team and still be successful.

Even with LAFC and Philly’s records, it’s hard not to peg NYCFC as the favorites to repeat.

Austin FC defeat FC Dallas 2-1

Hany Mukhtar is the MVP of the league.

But in a world where Hany Mukhtar doesn’t exist, that award goes to Austin FC’s Sebastian Driussi.

Driussi controlled the game, and Austin’s 2nd year in existence has them one step away from potentially hosting MLS Cup.

Their final hump?

LAFC, who they thumped 4-1 back in August.

Sunday should be a lot of fun…