We asked our editors to give the optimistic, pessimistic and realistic views of how their teams will do in the playoffs.
MLS Cup Playoff preview: Eastern Conference
Jamie SquireThe optimist says: This is the year that Sporting takes it all the way to the MLS Cup title. After a midseason hiccup, they’re unbeaten in their last 12 and coming off a hard-fought win over Philadelphia to close out the regular season. Roger Espinoza and Paulo Nagamura should both be back and healthy, giving Sporting a pair of ferocious ball-winners in the middle third, and the defense is second to none.
The realist says: If Kansas City plays to potential and doesn’t get smacked by injuries or disciplinary suspension, the MLS Cup finals are well within reach. This is a team that has already passed a significant tournament test in winning the U.S. Open Cup -- and let’s not forget those 15 shutouts, the second highest total in league history. That kind of defense can carry a team a long way.
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