MLS: Breaking down the Eastern Conference Playoffs

By Matt Coles | Oct 17, 2019

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - November 4: Maxime Chanot #4 of New York City and Jeff Larentowicz #18 of Atlanta United jostle for position at corner kick during the New York City FC Vs Atlanta United FC MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal match at Yankee Stadium on November 4th, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OHIO – JULY 18: Lucas Rodriguez #11 of the D.C. United celebrates with his team after scoring a goal in the game against the FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium on July 18, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

[5] D.C. United

After losing out on home-field advantage in the first round thanks to a final day draw, D.C. United will now have to travel in their opening postseason clash as they aim for a fifth MLS Cup title.

They started the season well, with a single defeat in their opening seven matches. Big wins against Atlanta and Real Salt Lake saw them heading up the Conference in the early running. However, they would then falter through the middle part of the campaign, with a run of just one win in nine, as the team from the capital struggled to put games to bed, instead taking a point away from them.

After a spell of four defeats in five in August, D.C. needed an unbeaten stretch of five games at the end of the campaign to secure their place in the post-season. They defeated Montreal Impact, Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders to guarantee an appearance in the playoffs, but goalless draws with the Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati saw then drop below Toronto and into 5th.

They will now have to travel to BMO Field on Saturday, knowing that a partizan Canadian crowd awaits. Can D.C. grab the win to move past the first round for the first time since 2015? If so, could they possibly go on to lift the MLS Cup for a fifth time, and the first since 2004?

First Round Fixture – Saturday 19th, 18:00 ET:

[4] Toronto FC v [5] D.C. United

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