Mls Cup Playoffs: Predicting Every Eastern Conference Round One Series

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It’s yet time. The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs statesman connected Friday nighttime and are group to beryllium 1 of nan astir intriguing successful nan league’s 30-year history, pinch superstars for illustration ne'er before, cardinal retirements connected nan sky and unthinkable parity.

With nan Wild Card rounds each wrapped up with Chicago Fire FC and nan Portland Timbers advancing, nan full 16-team bracket is locked successful for nan way towards MLS Cup connected Dec. 6, wherever nan highest remaining seed will big it.

The MLS Cup Playoffs statesman pinch nan first information best-of-three series, pinch Games 1 and 3 hosted by nan higher-seeded team. The pursuing rounds of nan Conference semifinals, Conference Finals and MLS Cup are each one-game rounds.

Here’s really Sports Illustrated predicts information 1 of nan postseason will spell successful nan Eastern Conference.

Andre Blake (right) and Kai Wagner (left) are cardinal to Philadelphia's protect success. / Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Union weren’t expected to person specified occurrence this play arsenic they went done their first twelvemonth pinch caput coach Bradley Carnell aft parting ways pinch Jim Curtin, who had spent a decade connected nan Union sideline. Yet, it went perfectly, and Carnell’s Union secured their 2nd Supporters’ Shield successful nine history, pinch extent and squad cohesion astatine its core.

The Union will person prima goalkeeper Andre Blake disposable for nan postseason, and person an outstanding defense successful beforehand of him, headlined by MLS Defender of nan Year finalists, Kai Wagner and Jakob Glesnes. Meanwhile, they besides person a potent striker successful Tai Baribo and a supporting onslaught unit that scores by committee.

Chicago, meanwhile, person important momentum pursuing a 3–1 Wild Card triumph complete Orlando City SC, and should person assurance that nan attacking operation of Hugo Cuypers, Philip Zinckernagel and Jonathan Bamba tin lead them to winning astatine slightest 1 game.

Prediction: Philadelphia Union advances successful Game 3

Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC (No. 4 vs. No. 5)

Alonso Martínez vanished nan regular play pinch 17 goals for New York City FC. / Mark Smith-Imagn Images

It came down to Decision Day to spot which of these teams would ace nan apical 4 to unafraid location advantage, and it was Charlotte, contempt falling to NYCFC successful September—a nonaccomplishment which snapped their MLS-record nine-match triumph streak.

NYCFC person plentifulness of assurance successful striker Alonso Martínez and his 17 goals this season, arsenic good arsenic nan Designated Player midfielder summation this summertime of Nicolas Fernández Mercau, who has elevated nan creation alongside seasoned Maxi Moralez.

They should beryllium capable to power Game 1 of nan bid pinch those attacking quality makers, mixed pinch U.S. men’s nationalist squad goalkeeper Matt Freese betwixt nan sticks. However, nan past 2 games could beryllium a challenge.

For Charlotte, they mightiness request to make a comeback aft Game 1 arsenic Wilfried Zaha will miss nan bid opener owed to a Decision Day reddish card. Still, caput coach Dean Smith’s group has shown they tin triumph successful adversity, and nan Bank of America Stadium ambiance is not to beryllium scoffed at.

Prediction: New York City FC advances successful Game 3

Lionel Messi hopes Inter Miami tin debar disaster successful nan MLS Cup Playoffs. / Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Sorry, Nashville SC—you sewage nan champion No. 3 seed successful nan history of MLS. While Nashville SC has plentifulness of value successful nan attacking duo of Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, competing pinch nan trophy-hungry likes of Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez will beryllium a challenge.

Miami are looking to debar falling successful nan first information of nan playoffs for nan 2nd consecutive season, and person nan added thrust to guarantee Busquets and Alba tin assistance different trophy earlier retiring astatine nan extremity of nan season. At nan aforesaid time, Messi tin relax knowing his future is settled pinch a caller contract, perchance allowing him to play much astatine ease, moreover aft he scored 29 goals and 19 assists successful 1 of nan best-ever seasons for an MLS player.

Head coach Javier Mascherano’s Herons person their faults, chiefly protect issues, and Nashville could return advantage, but winning 2 games against Messi’s Miami aft losing 5–2 connected Decision Day stands arsenic a gangly task.

Prediction: Inter Miami advances successful Game 2

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew (No. 2 vs. No. 7)

Evander is still looking for his first trophy contempt being 1 of nan champion MLS players complete nan past 3 seasons. / Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images

We’ve seen a Hell is Real Derby successful nan playoffs before; it was nan Eastern Conference last successful 2023. But this year, we’re getting a best-of-three bid featuring 1 of nan fiercest rivalries successful each of MLS. Does it get overmuch better?

FC Cincinnati person a important advantage successful this one. Evander ended nan twelvemonth pinch 18 goals and 15 assists, and Kévin Denkey has been potent successful nan attack, and still seems for illustration he has much to give. At nan aforesaid time, they person Miles Robinson holding down nan backmost and a tin goalkeeper successful Roman Celentano.

Head coach Pat Noonan’s broadside comes up against a Columbus squad that is sputtering for shape and will beryllium missing Wessam Abou-Ali, their marquee summertime striker signing. As overmuch arsenic a three-game bid would beryllium epic, this should beryllium reasonably straightforward for Cincinnati.