MLS Cup playoffs: Predicting the Eastern Conference Best-of-3 round
With four matches coming up this weekend, we break down what to expect and offer our prediction of who might move on or push it to a deciding Game 3.
A full slate of Game 2 matches in the Eastern Conference awaits this weekend with teams already up a match looking to close the book and move onto MLS’s Eastern Conference semifinals.
There are a few, like Miami, who should after easily dispatching Nashville in Game 1, and there are others like Philadelphia, who despite earning a win in Game 1, didn’t exactly do so in the most convincing fashion.
So with four matches coming up this weekend, we break down what to expect and offer our prediction of who we think might move on or push it to a deciding Game 3.
No. 1 Philadelphia at. No. 8 Chicago
Saturday, 5:30 p.m., ET; Apple TV+
Despite being up 1-0 in the Best-of-3 series, it feels like Chicago is taking the momentum back to SeatGeek Stadium, with so much to play for. The Union’s work rate and superior passing is what jumped the Union out to a 2-0 early lead only for the Fire to snatch it away late in the second half. They also did so without leading goalscorer Philip Zinckernagel, who has been on a tear, leading Chicago with 15 goals and 15 assists this season.
There’s no guarantee that the Union can close out away from Subaru Park, so despite being the favorite, consider Chicago finding a way to bring the series back to Philly for Game 3.
Prediction: Chicago 1, Philadelphia 1 (Chicago wins 5-4 on PKs)
No. 2 Cincinnati at No. 7 Columbus
Saturday, 6:30 p.m., ET; Apple TV
This is going to be fun to watch. Take the Hell is Real rivalry aspect out of it — the Crew don’t lose at Lower.com Field, and in a game in which they’re facing elimination, we’d like to think the team will find its offense and push this game to a Game 3 decider. It took heroics in the 78th minute from Cincinnati’s million-dollar man Kevin Denkey for FC Cincinnati to secure its win, and Cincy’s house is a tough place to play — particularly if you’re a cross-state rival.
The Union need more from players like Daniel Gazdag and Diego Rossi, who were relatively quite in Game 1. If they get it, Cincinnati even with all its firepower is in for a night.
Prediction: Columbus 1, Cincinnati 0
No. 3 Inter Miami at No. 6 Nashville
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV+
This one feels like a wrap, even with the match being at Nashville’s Geodis Park. Inter easily won Game 1, 3-1, behind a brace from Messi, who Nashville has just been unable to stop. With one of the most potent attacking corps in MLS, with Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suaréz running alongside Messi, it’s not going to be easy for Nashville’s backs the same way it wasn’t in Game 1 when the trio of Messi, Alba and Suarez made it a nightmare of the Nashvill defense specifically centerback Walker Zimmerman.
Nashville does have an ace in the hole in forward Sam Surridge who scored 24 goals in the regular season and midfielder Hany Muhktar, who has always been quality. Still, we think the Messi and Co. caravan will move on to the semifinal rounds after this one.
Prediction: Miami 2, Nashville 1
No. 4 Charlotte at No. 5 New York City FC
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Apple TV+
The best thing NYCFC could have done for itself was a late goal away at Charlotte to snatch Game 1 and bring the series back to the Bronx in which the tight confines of Yankee Stadium has long frustrated oppositions while being a haven for NYCFC. NYCFC won 11 matches in Yankee Stadium this season (11-6-6) and beat Charlotte, 2-0, there back in September.
Expect the likes of Maxi Rodriguez and forward Alonso Martinez, the latter who leads NYCFC with 16 goals on the season to set the tone and box in Charlotte, who very well may find themselves boxed out of moving onto the semifinal rounds.
Prediction: NYCFC 2, Charlotte 1
