The MLS playoffs start later this week and you should watch them. Why? Because it’s the only important American Soccer well have for a year. The US failed to make the world cup and embarrassed this country. So this country must fall back on its farm system for international play. MLS a league with young talent and old-world stars is really in its golden era right now. So, give it a try it’s like baseball for non-baseball fans. The regular season is long and arduous, but the post season is worth the wait so give post season soccer a try here’s everything you need to know.
The Front Runners
Toronto FC
Toronto has the man who is the current face of MLS! Sebastian Giovinco, the atomic ant has slowed down in the second half of the season, but he can be a difference maker in this post season. Pair that with tremendous depth and defense and you get one of the toughest rosters to play in the post season.
NYCFC
Speaking of faces of the league, David Villa. A 20 goal year has Villa in a dead heat for the leauges MVP award although what makes this team special is it’s depth. A young Englishman by the name of Jack Harrison is one of the best young talents in MLS. He has 10 goals this year and playoff experience now as he was on this club’s roster last year when they made the playoffs.
Coming in hot
Portland Timbers
The Timbers have the man in my opinion who should be MVP. Diego Valeri has 21 goals and 11 assists. The Timbers have won 3 of there last four games coming into the playoffs they are a dangerous club. Pair that with the playoff experience of players like Fernando Adi and Diego Chara and you have the recipe for a team that can make a run.
San Jose Earthquakes
Last second. A last second goal vaulted the Qaukes into the playoffs for the first time in a long time. It’s a young roster headed by an MLS legend in Chris Wondolowski.
Upset Alert
Sporting KC
Though KC lost on closing day they have so much playoff hope. Its not because of who they have on the field there is not a manager id rather have on my team than Peter vermes. Let’s get to predictions.
Wild Card one game elimination
Chicago FC vs New York Red Bulls: Two very different teams. Chicago once a perennial bottom feeder has the league’s leading goal scorer with 24 goals in Nemanja Nikolic. While during the transfer window they brought in one of the greatest German footballers of all time and world cup champion Bastian Schweinsteiger. That being said I’m taking the Red Bulls. Why? They are always the consensus to make it as the one seed and always falter. This year they are the 6 seed and I believe that the psychie completely changes. A statistical reason, Sacha Klejstian and Bradley Wright Phillips. BWP has 17 goals and a new emerging face in Daniel Royer had 12 goals this year. Louis Robles is also one of the better GKs in the playoffs this year the post season offense will show out to back him up.
NY 2-1 over Chicago
Atlanta vs Columbus
Atlanta is the most successful first year team in MLS history part of that is due to the fact they have former Barcelona coach Tata Martinez at the helm. Another reason, Joseph Martinez 20 goal season. Columbus is in the midst of the first major move in modern MLS history. Due to lack of funding for a new stadium they will most likely move to Austin over the offseason. They have a lot to play for and I predict a win away from home, there is a feeling in the locker room reportedly to win one for Columbus, they will do just that in this game. It will take penalties though.
Columbus 1(2)-1 Atlanta (in PKs)
Vancouver vs San Jose
Vancouver has the talent in place for a playoff run. Freddy Montero and Yordy Renya are vets who believe in this team. I will be honest I haven’t watched a lot of Vancouver, but this pick is really more against San Jose an uber inconsistent team who barely squeaked in. This game is a toss-up but I’m taking Vancouver.
Vancouver 3-1 San Jose
Houston vs Sporting KC
I love Kansas Cities depth but two things worry me about this team. Their lack of success away from home and there lack of a true veteran number one striker after the departure of Dom Dwyer mid-season. I like hot teams and Houston just demolished the hottest team in the league Atlanta 3-0 on closing day. I’m taking Houston. It will take a fight though.
Houston 2(3)- Sporting KC 2 (in PKs)
Round 2 Aggregate series a home and home the team with the most goals at the end wins.
Toronto vs New York Red Bulls
Drawing on closing day at home did not help Toronto. A team that was one win away from holding the MLS cup will be hungry. However the Red Bulls have more to prove and more experience. It will be a fierce battle New York will take the first match in New York but struggle in Toronto. Ultimately I take the Red Bulls in extra time for the game in Toronto.
New York 2-1 Toronto aggregate in extra time
NYCFC vs Columbus
There’s no easy way to put this. Valor does not win championships; fire power and determination do and the scorned NYCFC have both. They run away with it.
NYCFC 5-2 Columbus aggregate
Portland vs Houston
Houston may be able to beat a stumbling KC team on the road but the big boys of the west have a point to prove. Portland takes care of Houston.
Portland 5-1 Houston aggregate
Seattle vs Vancouver
The reigning MLS champs did it without Clint Dempsey last year. This year they have him and they have playoff experience and a team which everyone is doubting. If there is one thing that propels the Sounders, it is low expectations. When they are the favorites they lose, they are not the favorites in this conference they play angry and they win.
Seattle 4-3 Vancouver aggregate
Conference Finals
West
NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls
The best matchup in the playoffs, the rivalry. I’m taking the Blue boys from Yankee stadium.
NYCFC 2-1 New York Red Bulls aggregate
Portland vs Seattle
Another rivalry. Portland is due to make a cup appearance which means they won’t because it is the MLS playoffs.
Seattle 4-3 Portland
MLS Cup Final, one game for all the marbles
NYCFC vs Seattle
NYCFC has more fire power and more defense and though Seattle will be the story line. Jack Harrison will be the hero.
NYCFC 3-1 Seattle