2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Preview: Inter Miami faces Atlanta United, and more

10/24/2024 09:00 AM

The 2024 MLS Cup Wild Card matches are out of the way meaning the MLS Playoffs begin full swing this weekend with four Round One Best-of-3 series across each conference.

Teams must win two of three games in their series, regardless of aggregate score with individual games going straight to penalties, if necessary, in order to advance. Higher-seeded teams will host the first game, lower-seeded teams the second, and back to the higher seed for the rubber match if necessary.

Let's take a look at the matchups

Eastern Conference

#1 Inter Miami (22-4-8; 74 points) vs. #9 Atlanta United (10-14-10; 40 points)

Atlanta United overcame a brace from their all-time leading goalscorer Josef Martínez in their Wild Card game against CF Montréal, surviving the penalty shootout to advance to Round One.

Now, the Five Stripes have another sentimental rematch against their former MLS Coach of the Year who may win that award again this season, Tata Martino.

Under Martino, Inter Miami followed up last season's Leagues Cup title with a Supporters' Shield crown as Lionel Messi and his Barcelona buddies put their class on display each week en route to an MLS record 74 points.

As the undisputed favorites to lift their first MLS Cup, all eyes will be on the Herons — including an exclusive Messi cam streaming live on TikTok.

#2 Columbus Crew (19-6-9; 66 pts) vs #7 New York Red Bulls (11-9-14; 47 pts)

Reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew begin their quest to repeat with a Deicion Day rematch against RBNY. Crew has the most cohesive system of play in MLS led by Coach of the Year candidate Wilfried Nancy with key pieces including MVP candidate Cucho Hernandez and Defender of the Year candidate Steven Moreira. As a result, Crew is aiming for their fifth final in twelve months in these playoffs.

Red Bulls, led by first-year MLS head coach Sandro Schwarz, has statistically been the best team in the Eastern Conference with 57 xG created (55 scored) and 44 xG conceded (50 conceded) leading to an expected points total of 57 (actual 47) per FotMob. Playoffs provide an opportunity to rectify that underperformance with Olympian John Tolkin, star DP Emil Forsberg, and Comeback Player of the Year candidate Lewis Morgan leading the way.

#3 FC Cincinnati (18-11-5; 59 pts) vs #6 NYCFC (14-12-8; 50 pts)

Despite major offseason changes to their starting XI, last season's Supporters' Shield winners have maintained their competitive level this season under reigning COTY Pat Noonan with reigning MVP Luciano Acosta delivering another MVP-caliber campaign. Contrary to their exceptional home form last season which fed their success, Cincinnati would have been forced to play a Wild Card game had the table been decided solely on home form this season (24 points). Luckily, on their travels Cincy has been second best only to Miami (35 points) which may prove beneficial in these playoffs if they can survive Round One.

Nick Cushing's NYCFC squad struggled to begin the year but found their paths to victory as the season progressed, mainly through consistent contributors in the attack including Hannes Wolf, Santiago Rodríguez, and Alonso Martínez. The Pigeons beat FCC to begin the month but now they'll need to do it twice to advance past Round One.

#4 Orlando City SC (15-12-7; 52 pts) vs #5 Charlotte FC (14-11-9; 51 pts)

Dean Smith teams are notoriously stout defensively and Charlotte FC is no exception in the Englishman's first season managing in MLS. The Crown conceded the fewest goals of any team in the East (37) throughout the regular season with Adilson Malanda and Kristijan Kahlina mounting campaigns for Defender and Goalkeeper of the Year respectively. The addition of veteran USMNT defender Tim Ream has only solidified the Charlotte back line, leading to a five-game unbeaten streak including four wins and a draw in Miami as they head into playoffs.

That defense will have to contend with an extremely potent and energetic front four of Martin Ojeda, Ramiro Enrique, Ivan Angulo, and Facundo Torres — all of whom are under the age of 26. Not to be outdone, in Peruvian international Pedro Gallese Orlando also has a goalkeeper who can win them games singlehandedly.

Western Conference

#1 LAFC (19-8-7; 64 pts) vs #8 Vancouver Whitecaps (13-13-8; 47 pts)

Ryan Gauld and his Vancouver Whitecaps made a statement in their Wild Card match in Portland on Wednesday night as Timers Army watched the Scot net a hat trick as part of a 5-0 thrashing to end their season. Gauld, along with Brian White and Fafa Picault, form a formidable attacking trio. New midfield addition Stuart Armstrong from Southampton — who produced three goal contributions of his own on Wednesday to end a seven-game winless skid entering the postseason — provides an additional spark to ignite VWFC.

Eyeing a third consecutive MLS Cup appearance, LAFC awaits at BMO Stadium with their typical cast of blockbuster Hollywood stars from 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga to World Cup-winning captain Hugo Lloris to France's all-time leading goalscorer Olivier Giroud to the return of club legend Carlos Vela, who is yet to make his first appearance in 2024 but is expected to soon after appearing on the bench on Decision Day.

Since Cherundolo took over at LAFC, the Black and Gold carry a 6-2-2 record against Vancouver including last season knocking the 'Caps out of both the Concacaf Champions League and MLS Playoffs in this same Round One best-of-three series, only requiring two matches to do so. Vancouver would love to finally taste their revenge in 2024.

#2 LA Galaxy (19-8-7; 64 pts) vs #7 Colorado Rapids (15-14-5; 50 pts)

Last season, these two teams finished 13th (LA) and 14th (Colorado) at the bottom of the Western Conference but have seen major turnarounds behind significant offseason turnover.

Led by new General Manager Will Kuntz, Galaxy signed DPs Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec who formed a deadly "Killa P" combination with talisman Riqui Puig to score the most goals (69) of any team in the West. The Galaxy have seemingly returned to their MLS pedestal while continuing the tradition of adding European stars like Marco Reus but as Greg Vanney and his players would tell you, playoffs are where you prove yourself.

Chris Armas has led the rebuild in Colorado where the additions of USMNT internationals Djordje Mihailovic to produce the goals and Zack Steffen to prevent them have seen their intended effect of creating a playoff contender. In turn, striker Rafael Navarro turned his lone goal last season into 15 this time around with the service of Mihailovic although the defense still conceded the most goals of any playoff team in the West. By finishing third in Leagues Cup, Colorado sent a warning of their tournament capabilities but as with Galaxy, playoffs are the true proving ground.

#3 Real Salt Lake (16-7-11; 59 pts) vs #6 Minnesota United FC (15-12-7; 52 pts)

In his first year at the helm, MNUFC head coach Eric Ramsay pushed his team into the playoffs with the help of Comeback Player of the Year candidate Robin Lod producing 7 goals and 15 assists. The Loons have also shored things up defensively of late, conceding just a single Decision Day goal in their five-game unbeaten streak to end the regular season.

Pablo Mastroeni is not a new manager in Real Salt Lake but his entire staff was replaced in the offseason, improving his own coaching as well as his team's performance. In turn, his side enters playoffs on a six-game unbeaten streak led by striker Chicho Arango and Young Player of the Year candidate Diego Luna. 

One of these unbeaten streaks must end.

#4 Seattle Sounders (16-9-9; 57 pts) vs #5 Houston Dynamo (15-10-9; 54 pts)

As they seem to do every season, Seattle Sounders finished the regular season in peak form, unbeaten since the start of September with five wins and having only lost two league games in the past four months (16 games). From Albert Rusnák and Jordan Morris combining for 44 goal contributions to conceding the fewest goals of any team in MLS (35) behind DOTY-caliber campaigns from both Jackson Ragen and Yeimar, Seattle is a well-rounded team without any obvious deficiencies. 

Ben Olsen's Houston Dynamo are not much different, conceding the second-fewest goals in the West behind Seattle (39) while boasting a devastating attack in the likes of Ibrahim Aliyu, Amine Bassi, Alberto Carrasquilla, and new DP striker Ezequiel Ponce. Of course, Mexican international legend and captain Hector Herrera still runs the show for Olsen's possession-dominant system from defensive midfield.

Exemplary of every playoff matchup in MLS, this #4 vs #5 matchup is completely unpredictable.