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MLS: Breaking down the Eastern Conference Playoffs

By Matt Coles

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)
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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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JULY 27: New England Revolution midfielder Teal Bunbury (10), New England Revolution forward Gustavo Bou (7) and New England Revolution forward Carles Gil (22) during a match between the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC on July 27 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JULY 27: New England Revolution midfielder Teal Bunbury (10), New England Revolution forward Gustavo Bou (7) and New England Revolution forward Carles Gil (22) during a match between the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC on July 27 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

[7] New England Revolution

The final team to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference were the New England Revolution, who have qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2015 and only the fourth time this decade. Luckily for the Revs, they had already secured their spot in the postseason ahead of Decision Day, so a defeat to Atlanta United did not mean much, as they could only have reached sixth had other results gone their way.

New England started the season terribly, with just two wins from their first twelve league games. That run included defeated to MLS newbies FC Cincinnati, and shipping six in Philadelphia, followed by five in Chicago in the space of four days. They then sacked head coach Brad Friedel and replaced him with Bruce Arena. That changed everything.

The Revs followed up their terrible start by losing just one of their next 16 matches, as they made their way up the table, thanks to wins over San Jose, the Galaxy and Chicago among others. A big victory over New York City FC in their penultimate fixture was enough to secure a spot in the post-season, with a final day defeat to Atlanta only setting up a second straight clash with the Five Stripes.

Can the Revs go to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and provide an upset? If so, could they possibly go on to lift the trophy for the first time in their history?

First Round Fixture – Saturday 19th, 13:00 ET:

[2] Atlanta United v [7] New England Revolution

Next. MLS: Breaking down the Western Conference playoffs. dark

Who goes through to the Conference semifinals? Who goes on to take the Eastern Conference title? Time will only tell, but there are no clear favourites in East, with NYCFC, Atlanta and Philadelphia among those all vying for that spot in the MLS Cup final.

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