By Jack Cranmer, ContributingMajo Writer
Following a two-week break due to international competition, the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup playoffs resume this weekend with the quarterfinal round. The quarterfinals consist of four matches, with the semifinals and finals scheduled for the following two weekends.
Eastern Conference:
Philadelphia Union vs New York City FC
These two Eastern Conference rivals are scheduled to play each other for the third time this season. The Union had the best record in MLS, giving them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, while NYCFC claimed the 5th seed. The Union defeated the Chicago Fire in the round of 16, while NYCFC defeated Charlotte FC in a very competitive game. The Union fell to NYCFC away early in the season on April 12, 1-0, but won in their second meeting of the regular season on Oct. 4, 1-0. Game three between these two rivals should be tightly contested, but with NYCFC picking up injuries in recent games, expect the Union to win this quarterfinal match.
Prediction: Union win 3-1
Inter Miami CF vs FC Cincinnati
Even with all of their star power, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Inter Miami has yet to defeat FC Cincinnati this year. Inter Miami fell to Cincinnati away on July 16, 3-0, and the two teams played to a scoreless draw just ten days later in Miami. Inter Miami is the number 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, while FC Cincinnati is the number 2 seed, meaning that they will get the all-important home-field advantage. Expect this game to come down to the wire and likely go to a penalty shootout.
Prediction: Inter Miami win 2-2(5-4) in a penalty shootout.
Western Conference:
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Los Angeles FC
Number 2-seeded Vancouver Whitecaps will play host to number 3-seeded LAFC on Saturday in the first Western Conference semifinal. Vancouver and LAFC played to a 2-2 draw on May 11th this season in Vancouver. However, Vancouver then went on to defeat Los Angeles on the road 1-0 on June 29. Vancouver defeated FC Dallas in the round of 16, while LAFC dominated the number 6 seed Austin FC. Expect this game to be very competitive as both of these teams are more than capable of going very far in the postseason. However, expect newly acquired German midfielder Thomas Müller to make a big difference and propel Vancouver past LAFC.
Prediction: Vancouver wins 2-1 after extra time (AET)
San Diego FC vs Minnesota United
San Diego is the number one seed in the Western Conference and is also in its first season in MLS. They defeated Portland in a tightly contested round-of-16 matchup. Minnesota is the number 4 seed and beat the Seattle Sounders on a penalty shootout with only ten men due to a red card earlier in the game. The two teams split their previous two matchups, with the road team winning each game. San Diego should have the edge in this game due to their depth and the team’s overall health. Minnesota is dealing with key injuries to several of their star players, which will be problematic against a solid team like San Diego.
Prediction: San Diego wins 2-0
