The Eastern Conference playoff bracket was set earlier in the day, and now the Western Conference side is clear after the dust settled on Sunday's Decision Day action.
The marquee matchup out West was a winner-takes-all clash between free falling Minnesota United and a climbing Vancouver Whitecaps side in front of a record crowd at Allianz Field in Saint Paul.
Here we are. Decision Day. A season potentially summed up in one moment. For the seven teams whose campaigns still hang in the balance, defeat is simply not an option. For spectators, the tension has been turned up to the max as six of the seven sides play each other in their final games of the season. After 90 minutes of intensity, stress will give way to both elation and agony. As we go into Decision Day, let’s break down what every team is playing for.
The business end of the MLS season is upon us, and with the MLS playoffs kicking off in just under a month, every game matters. Only six sides have officially been eliminated from playoff contention going into the international break and the race for the Supporter’s Shield is very much alive. Following Match Week 32, let’s break down what every team is playing for from here on out.
Remaining Opponents: Charlotte FC, Toronto FC
It's almost been four months since Seattle made history by defeating Pumas to become the first MLS team to win the Concacaf Champions League, and although we've still got some time before we start the 2023 competition, we can start making predictions with the Liga MX field already filled and the MLS representatives now (somewhat) predictable.
There was a trophy on the line and a spot in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League on Tuesday night when the Vancouver Whitecaps welcomed Toronto FC to a sweltering BC Place for the 2022 Canadian Championship Final.
We're almost three months into the 2022 MLS season, affording us enough time to showcase some of the most exciting new stadium food options after collecting them from the Bible of arena grub, @FootyScran.
It's the best account around to make you both incredibly hungry and excited for Saturday, although the reaction to MLS food usually justifiably ranges from "that looks delicious" to "why the hell are they paying $25 for chicken over there?"
What is scran?
The 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs began this weekend, rendering all other sports and leagues entirely meaningless over the next two weeks. If the snob in you says “no, I want to watch Liverpool stick four past Arsenal” or the masochist points you in the general direction of the Detroit Lions, let Saturday’s opening two games serve as a lesson.
After a remarkable Decision Day that ended with Colorado atop the Western Conference and Salt Lake in the postseason at the expense of the LA Galaxy, it’s time to begin our countdown to the Cup final on Dec. 11 with some MLS playoff predictions.
Thankfully, this season’s action begins after the November international break so there’ll be no awkward space between the first round on Nov. 20 and the conference semifinals on Thanksgiving.
LAFC looks like it might miss the postseason for the first time in its four-year history. They can’t blame the efforts of part-owner Will Ferrell, who tried to conjure Ted Lasso vibes during Tuesday night’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Vancouver. Not even the humor of two former SNL standouts and Coach Beard could rally Bob Bradley’s struggling squad.
Everyone is well-versed in Alphonso Davies’ game-changing pace and ability to dice any defender on the planet off the dribble, but it’s his increasing effectiveness in the final third that makes the 20-year-old standout as one of football’s brightest talents.
That’s not to say it’s a new development in his game. At the tender age of 17 Davies was already one of Major League Soccer’s most devastating players in attack, scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists in 31 games to help facilitate his $11 million move to Bayern. (He’s now valued at $155 million.)