da fezbet： The race to win the MLS Cup is well and truly on, but which teams are looking strong, and whose hopes of a title are slipping away?
da bet7k： The 2023 MLS Playoffs are upon us, and the field this year feels as open as ever. There's no obvious winner, for sure, and, in a league defined by chaos, there will be plenty of teams feeling like they have a chance at winning silverware in early December.
Last year's champions, LAFC, are involved after winning arguably the best MLS Cup final we've ever seen. They'll face the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference finale, with the U.S. Open Cup winners looking to complete an unthinkable run to another finale. Their opponents in 2022, the Philadelphia Union, are now out, leaving the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati to duke it out for Eastern Conference supremacy
But who are the favorites, who are the dark horses and which teams should start looking toward next year already? GOAL has you covered…
Getty Images4Houston Dynamo ⬆️
Even in getting this far, you have to admit Ben Olsen has worked wonders with this team. His hiring was criticized by some but, since arriving, Olsen has led the Dynamo to a U.S. Open Cup title and, now, a spot in the Western Conference finals. They topped Sporting KC to get there, just edging out a win thanks to a goal off a set piece.
The goal came from Franco Escobar and it came from a fantastic ball in from Hector Herrera. The Mexican midfielder has been rejuvenated since the start of the season, and the Dynamo's supporting cast has reflectively followed the example their captain has provided them.
They're lacking star power, sure, but this Dynamo team clearly knows how to play knockout soccer, although they'll likely be big underdogs when they face last season's MLS Cup winners on the road in the conference finale.
Next match: at LAFC (12/2)
AdvertisementGetty3Columbus Crew ⬆️
It wasn't easy and it required all 120 minutes, but the Crew escaped Exploria Stadium with the result they needed.
The Crew took down Orlando City, 2-0, in Florida, making something of a statement to move on in the Eastern Conference. Winning on the road is no easy task, particularly in the playoffs, and the Crew hadn't been a great road team all season long. No matter, though, as everything came together for them to take down the Lions.
After a Christian Ramirez finish to open extra time, Cucho Hernandez scored another goal, his fourth of the playoffs, as he remains arguably the most dangerous weapon left in these playoffs. There may not be a striker in MLS you'd take over him and, fortunately for the Crew, he's peaking at the right time.
With the Colombian firing and the pieces around him all playing their part, the Crew are as dangerous as can be. They'll need to be road warriors once again at FC Cincinnati next round but, with a win over Orlando in their back pocket, they'll feel just fine about their chances.
Next match: vs FC Cincinnati (12/2)
Getty Images2LAFC ↔️
It wasn't a typical LAFC performance that got them here. Last season's MLS Cup champions were an attacking behemoth, one that often brought Gareth Bale, of all people, off the bench. And, on their best days, LAFC can still be that. They do have Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela still, after all.
And it was Bouanga that provided the only goal LAFC required, as they ground out a win in Seattle to return to the Conference Finals. Playing in Seattle, Bouanga's goal was all him, although you could argue that the Sounders didn't show him nearly enough respect to close him down. His run down the left-hand side proved unstoppable, with his shot beating Stefen Frei to give LAFC the only goal they'd need.
From there, LAFC proved they can play a bit of bunker ball, conceding 70 percent of possession. They never folded, though, and their MLS Cup defense will continue because of that.
Next match: vs Houston Dynamo (12/2)
USA Today Sports 1FC Cincinnati ↔️
They made everyone sweat a little bit with a grueling penalty shootout in the first round. And then they did it again in the conference semifinals, waiting until the last possible moment to make it happen. The Supporters' Shield winners did, in fact, make it happen, though, as their march toward MLS Cup continues.
MLS Defender of the Year candidate Yerson Mosquera scored a last-gasp winner, as FC Cincinnati squeaked out a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union. They did so without the actual MLS Defender of the Year, Matt Miazga, who was suspended for this one but will be back for the Conference Final vs the Columbus Crew.
The Supporters' Shield winners remain the clear favorites and, having survived this massive test against last season's Eastern Conference champions, they'll be a bit more battle-hardened as they march into a Hell is Real derby.
Next game: vs Columbus Crew (12/2)