MLS: Analyzing all the Eastern Conference playoff possibilities
By Daniel Garza
Home-field Advantage
Atlanta United looking to make it two in a row
The Atlanta United of last season has not been on display this time around. After dominating MLS in 2018, the defending champions have not been able to show the same form or consistency we were accustomed to seeing. But that does not mean they are not dangerous.
New manager Frank de Boer will face another test this season as he is tasked with taking the club back to the MLS Cup. After exiting the CONCACAF Champions League early., the expectations for delivering a trophy are high. He will encounter a tough match right from the get-go. Although Atlanta United won quite comfortably at home against the Revolution on the last matchday of the season, Bruce Arena’s New England are now easy out.
A possible second vs. third seed semi-final is on the horizon, if Atlanta can get past the first round. This would be yet another enthralling match between the Union and Atlanta. If NYCFC gets upset by their opponent and Atlanta can past the semi-finals, they will be in a great position to represent the East at MLS Cup.
Can Philadelphia complete their surprise success?
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Not many would have put the Philadelphia Union near the top of the Eastern Conference standings at the start of the season. Even more, no one really saw them leading the table on a few occasions during the first few months of the season. Now, here they are as the number three seed with a big opportunity to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Their first-round opponents, the New York Red Bulls, are going to be a very tough club to face. Chris Armas’ team is not the same as last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners, but they have proven that, in a one-off game, they can beat the very best. From there, it won’t get any easier as they may have to go up against Atlanta United in the next round and finally will likely face NYCFC in the conference final.
Out of all the clubs in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, the Union may have the toughest road to MLS Cup. But if they can survive the tough stretch of matches, there is no cap on what they could accomplish in the MLS Cup final.
The always dangerous Toronto FC
Having already won an MLS Cup, a Supporters’ Shield and two MLS Cup appearances in the past three seasons, Toronto FC are no strangers to winning trophies and performing well in the playoffs. With a talented roster available to manager Greg Vanney, the Canadian club will be on the hunt to reach another MLS Cup final.
Toronto will be tested by D.C. United in the first match in what is a very evenly matched contest on paper. This might be one of the hardest matches to predict out of the entire first-round playoff fixtures in the league. They will hope to get big performances from Jozy Altidore and Alejandro Puzuelo.
Once past D.C, the mighty NYCFC await. This is a match where they could play the spoiler or end up heading back home with their season complete. They will be underdogs in this match and will have to give 100% if they hope to reach the conference final. However, Toronto cannot afford to look ahead in the playoffs. D.C. United will exploit any complacency. It is going to be a survive-and-advance mentality for TFC.