Here we go folks! It's all set. League just released the bracket, but dates are not locked in. Probably due to venue conflicts.
LAFC has a tough route in. Minnesota and LAG dropping to the 4/5 was about as bad as it could have gone for them. Really opens up the possibility that the West may not host MLS Cup.Here we go folks! It's all set. League just released the bracket, but dates are not locked in. Probably due to venue conflicts.
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LAFC has a tough route in. Minnesota and LAG dropping to the 4/5 was about as bad as it could have gone for them. Really opens up the possibility that the West may not host MLS Cup.
That said, if we can get past Tor/DC, the bottom half could eat itself apart.
LAFC has a tough route in. Minnesota and LAG dropping to the 4/5 was about as bad as it could have gone for them. Really opens up the possibility that the West may not host MLS Cup.
That said, if we can get past Tor/DC, the bottom half could eat itself apart.
Lol.I really think the Western Conference Final will be hosted before the Eastern Conference Final. And if LAFC makes it and loses on Matchday 1, PRO will do everything in their power to make sure if NYCFC makes it that we don't advance to MLS Cup.
Lol.
I just want some clarification. Do you truly believe PRO has some active agenda to manipulate the outcomes of games, or is this just a running joke?
Either way, im fairly certain MLS, if given the choice, would choose to have the final in NYC regardless.
Anyone who thinks MLS referees are skilled enough to manipulate an entire postseason to allow a certain team -- the best team in league history, by the way -- to advance to the Cup Final is wildly off base.
MLS referees are far too incompetent to manipulate these games in that fashion. LAFC is really good, if they advance to the final it's because they're the best team and they took care of business.
That being said, I think they get knocked off; as good as they are, are they playoffs good? Can they win in the playoffs? They've been a little poor lately and just seem like they're not playing their best stuff.
they were dominant throughout the first 3/4 of the season. i agree they've fallen off their record pace in the last 1/4 of the season. teams have started to figure them out and play better against them. not only that, but they do not rise to the challenge of big time games. they have yet to beat the LAG (one could argue zlatan has risen higher, making LAG better on that day) and they lost in USOC. They have supp. shield, which shows they killed the regular season. No one can argue that. But when it comes to big time games, single elimination.. i think they don't have what it takes. Especially, if they have to go up against Zlatan and the galaxy at the back, where Zlatan has already said he WANTS to come back again because he LOVES to play there. Even if it's MU, it won't be an easy game for them (LAFC).
they were dominant throughout the first 3/4 of the season. i agree they've fallen off their record pace in the last 1/4 of the season. teams have started to figure them out and play better against them. not only that, but they do not rise to the challenge of big time games.
Lol.
I just want some clarification. Do you truly believe PRO has some active agenda to manipulate the outcomes of games, or is this just a running joke?
Either way, im fairly certain MLS, if given the choice, would choose to have the final in NYC regardless.
MLS doesn't want MLS Cup hosted in Yankee Stadium or whenever we are capable of hosting it.
Tim Donaghy. Hey, the NBA is doing fine.The idea, though, that they will fix their postseason to make sure NYCFC doesn't host is preposterous. For one reason that if it were ever found out that they were engaged in something like that, it would do incredible damage to the image and integrity of the sport in this country.
Yea.... Def the same thingTim Donaghy. Hey, the NBA is doing fine.
Tim Donaghy. Hey, the NBA is doing fine.
One ref betting on and fixing games, getting banned for life is nowhere even close to an entire league conspiring to fix its postseason.
I think they figured out that when Carlos Vela doesn't play, LAFC isn't as good (2 points earned over 3 matches). After Vela returned, they earned 1.8 ppg for the remainder of the season, including 2 draws as he came back to form.teams have started to figure them out and play better against them.
I think you're looking at an incredibly small sample size. They have a record of 5-2 in the USOC, with one of those losses being in penalties. Outside of that, and their one playoff game last year, what else is your definition of "big games"? I see we are putting the 5th place Galaxy into that definition.not only that, but they do not rise to the challenge of big time games. they have yet to beat the LAG (one could argue zlatan has risen higher, making LAG better on that day) and they lost in USOC.
I think they figured out that when Carlos Vela doesn't play, LAFC isn't as good (2 points earned over 3 matches). After Vela returned, they earned 1.8 ppg for the remainder of the season, including 2 draws as he came back to form.
I think you're looking at an incredibly small sample size. They have a record of 5-2 in the USOC, with one of those losses being in penalties. Outside of that, and their one playoff game last year, what else is your definition of "big games"? I see we are putting the 5th place Galaxy into that definition.
So, 538 has finally fixed its mistake. Below is corrected with their actual figures.One thing is for sure in this playoff season - things are going to get a little crazy, maybe a lot crazy. It's single elimination in a league that stresses parity. Think about all the crazy upsets in the NCAA Tournament. Yes, that tournament is played at neutral sites rather than the home of the higher seed, but college sports is decidedly not about parity, yet the upsets persist.
Looking at the 538 picks* for the first round.
Based on the above, there should be 1.9 upsets in the first round, with 4.1 games going according to seed.
- Atlanta 75% - New England 25%
- Toronto 73% - DC United 27%
- Philly 69% - New Jersey 31%
- Seattle 66% - Dallas 34%
- RSL 65% - Portland 35%
- Minnesota 62% - LA Galaxy 38%
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* - For some reason, probably laziness, the 538 picks include the odds that the game ends in a tie. I've taken the simple adjustment that a tie represents a 50-50 chance of advancing in a shootout, with a slight variation in favor of the home team since there will be some extra time played as well.