The MLS Cup Playoffs are beginning to wind down as we’re left with just four teams.
The conference semifinals provided plenty of drama, and a few more giant-killings to boot.
Let’s dig into what we learned from the last round.
Defense can still win you titles
Nov 23, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Seattle Sounders FC players celebrate after a goal by forward Jordan Morris (13) in the second extra time period against LAFC in a 2024 MLS Cup western conference semifinal match at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Sun-Imagn Images
MLS is certainly an attack-heavy league given the salary restrictions. Most clubs spend their money on forwards and midfielders, leaving defensive cores to be a rag-tag group of hard workers at the back.
But for the Seattle Sounders, defensive stability is the bedrock from which they have built this late-season run.
The Cascadia club possess a pair of steady heads in Jackson Ragen and Yeimar at the back, and their stability has lead to a brick-wall aura in the playoffs. Combine that with heroic Stefan Frei performances and you’ve got a recipe for postseason success.
Seattle have now conceded just two goals from open play in three MLS Cup games so far, and they don’t look like opening the floodgates for opponents any time soon.
Their only issue down the line? The high-scoring LA Galaxy are next up on the fixture list.
Atlanta’s miracle would always — and did — fall short
Nov 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Atlanta United interim head coach Rob Valentino reacts after losing to Orlando City in a 2024 MLS Cup conference semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Yes yes, Atlanta United knocking out Inter Miami in the opening round of the postseason was a major upset — but was it really…?
The writing was on the wall all season for Miami. Eventually they would run into a team that kept them out enough times to exploit their almost schoolboy defensive frailties, and Atlanta did that time and time again.
Orlando City, on the other hand, were not going to make it so easy for Rob Valentino’s side. The Lions were happy enough to settle into a solid defensive structure and force their visitors to break them down from time to time — a task that has stumped Atlanta all season.
Without a red carpet laid out for them on the counter-attack, the reason Atlanta finished with just 10 wins in 34 regular season games became more than apparent, they were obvious.
Slowing down the Galaxy might be impossible now
Nov 24, 2024; Carson, California, USA; LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec (11, left) and forward Joseph Paintsil (28,center) and forward Dejan Joveljic (9, right) celebrate a win after defeating the Minnesota United 6-2 at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The LA Galaxy have begun to earn the ‘inevitable’ tag. No matter what you try and throw that the star-studded team from Carson, they find a way through, repeatedly.
With five different weapons to choose from, Greg Vanney has the privilege of putting together nearly unplayable attacking setups, and the Galaxy’s playoff opponents so far have learned that lesson the hard way.
Shut down Gabriel Pec? Joseph Painstil will burn you from the other wing. Shut down Marco Reus? Riqui Puig will split your defense in two. Stop all four of them from getting shots away? Dejan Joveljić will clean up the mess in the box. Trying to defend this side might be an impossible task.
The Galaxy have now scored 15 goals in three MLS Cup Playoff games, and with all five of those players etching their name into the scoresheet against Minnesota on Sunday, Vanney has clearly found the recipe for utilizing all of his stars. That recipe may just see the Galaxy coast to a sixth MLS Cup.
NYCFC’s stadium circumstances may have been their downfall
Nov 23, 2024; Queens, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Keaton Parks (55) reacts after being defeated by the New York Red Bulls in a 2024 MLS Cup eastern conference semifinal match at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
Playing football in NFL stadiums doesn’t seem to materially change the state of play in MLS, but playing games in baseball stadiums does — and NYCFC’s home away from home at Citi Field may have just been the reason they were overrun by their crosstown rivals on Saturday.
The Red Bulls’ high-pressing system flourished in the small confines of the outfield, allowing the weary legs of Emil Forsberg, Dante Vanzeir, and Lewis Morgan some respite even while pressing like maniacs.
The visitors were first to every loose ball, and both goals were scored as a result of winning knocked down second balls.
NYCFC have, at times, benefitted from opponents visiting them at one of their various baseball stadiums, but when it really mattered in an MLS Cup Hudson River Derby, they were betrayed by their own home.
You can’t account for shooting yourself in the foot
Nov 23, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; LAFC forward Denis Bouanga (99) reacts after a loss against Seattle Sounders FC in a 2024 MLS Cup western conference semifinal match at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Sun-Imagn Images
LAFC were their own worst enemy Saturday evening as they were stunned at home by the Seattle Sounders.
While the visitors from the Pacific Northwest were stout in defense, and picked their moments to punish their hosts, LAFC should never have been in position to get sucker-punched in the latter stages.
As previously noted, Stefan Frei made some miraculous saves to keep the Black and Gold out, but when you pay the big bucks for a front-three made up of Denis Bouanga, Olivier Giroud, and Mateusz Bogusz, chances have to be taken in front of goal.
At the other end, you simply can’t game-plan for one of your most experienced defenders delicately placing the ball into the corner of your own net to force extra-time.
It was a bizarre showing from a side with so much knockout experience. But one thing is for sure for a team like LAFC — they’ll reload in the offseason and be back for another run next year.