MLS Multiplex
Fansided

Two previews of possible playoff matchups this weekend?

By Daniel Shulman

ATLANTA, GA SEPTEMBER 10: CNN's Robin Meade sings the national anthem prior to the start of the match between Atlanta United and FC Dallas on September 10, 2017 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC beat FC Dallas by a score of 3 - 0. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA SEPTEMBER 10: CNN's Robin Meade sings the national anthem prior to the start of the match between Atlanta United and FC Dallas on September 10, 2017 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC beat FC Dallas by a score of 3 - 0. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the MLS Cup Playoffs approaching fast, potential matchups and battles for home-field advantage continue to take shape in both conferences.

In the penultimate weekend of the season, a pair of potential and probable playoff matchups will play out over the weekend. In the East, the New York Red Bulls face Atlanta United in what could be a precursor of a knockout round matchup. Over in the West, FC Dallas looks to keep its playoff hopes alive with a trip to face Seattle in what may also turn out to be a knockout round matchup.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNES

The Red Bulls travel to Atlanta looking to close the gap on Columbus Crew SC in the final weeks. Atlanta sits in third place, just three points behind New York City FC and looking to jump ahead for a first-round bye.

New York and Atlanta met back on opening weekend where the Red Bulls introduced their visitors to MLS with a 2-1 comeback win. The Red Bulls scored a pair of goals in a six-minute span late in the match to knock-off the expansion side.

The two teams have taken opposite roads since opening weekend. While Atlanta has surged up the standings over the past month, New York has plummeted, winning last week for the first time since August 12.

The Red Bulls defense had been a growing concern all season, especially as of late. With a regular season and possible playoff matches looming against Atlanta, New York will need to be sharp defensively to limit Atlanta’s scoring chances.

If the two teams do end up meeting in the postseason, the match would likely come in Atlanta, making the Red Bulls heavy underdogs against the new expansion side.

WILD, WILD WEST

Over in the West, FC Dallas is seeking a victory to remain in playoff contention but will have to do so in one of MLS’s most hostile environments in Seattle. The two teams met a month ago in Frisco, Tx., playing to a scoreless draw.

Dallas has struggled over the past few months, going 1-6-6 in that span. After winning the Supporters’ Shield last season, Dallas has failed to replicate that same success in 2017. The loss of Fabian Castillo has hit hard, as the Dallas offense has scored just 43 times all year, and only four goals in its last six matches.

Seattle, which has lost just twice since June 17, has been defensively sound all season, conceding only 39 times in league play – second-best margin in the conference. A win for Seattle could push the Sounders as high as second place and give them a shot at possibly winning the Western Conference.

Next: What To Watch For In MLS

Similar to the second half of last season, Seattle has enjoyed a torrid run of success, only recently stumbling against Real Salt Lake and Philadelphia. Stringing together a pair of wins heading into the postseason might be enough to set off another championship run for the Sounders.

Dallas, however, is in must-win mode as a loss could potentially end the team’s playoff aspirations. The two teams could meet in Seattle again in a couple weeks for a knockout round fixture if the stars align in a jumbled Western Conference.

Home/Atlanta United