MLS: The best East and West underdogs to win MLS Cup

The MLS playoffs are on our doorstep. And everyone knows who the favorites are? But who are the underdogs to keep an eye on? Here are the best two underdog teams, one from the Eastern Conference and one from the Western Conference.

With the 2019 Audi Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs beginning this weekend, there are several teams expected to make some noise and go deep into the playoffs and maybe even lift MLS Cup. Second-year side Los Angeles FC, fresh off a history-making year and Supporters’ Shield win are considered favorites to be MLS Cup champions at FiveThirtyEight with a 53% chance.

LAFC finished 16 points higher than second-place side Seattle in the West and eight higher than the East’s leading team, New York City FC. With a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, they certainly look to be a good pick.

The Sounders finished fourth in MLS’ end-of-season power rankings and were given a 66% chance of advancing to the Western Conference semi-finals at FiveThirtyEight — they are tied with Real Salt Lake as the most likely sides to advance from Round 1. So the Sounders too, who host the seventh seed FC Dallas side in the first round, plus potentially the winner of Real Salt Lake and Portland in the semis, can be considered contenders.

When you look at the Eastern Conference, New York City FC, who had just one loss in their last 11 regular-season games, and second-place Atlanta United, who won 12 of their final 17 matches in the second half of the season, both look like clear favorites to try and derail LAFC’s quest for the Cup. NYCFC will have a bye in the first round, while Atlanta host a New England side whom they just defeated 3-1 at home on Decision Day. A repeat performance would not surprise.

But once you look past those top four teams, which underdogs look poised to upset and shatter some MLS Cup Playoff brackets?