MLS: Breaking down the Western Conference Playoffs

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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 01: Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris (13) celebrates his 2nd half goal with fans during an MLS match against the LA Galaxy on September 1, 2019, at Century Link Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs begin this week. Here is a look at how each of the seven Western Conference teams made it and what could be in store this postseason.

The Major League Soccer postseason is here. And the MLS playoffs are split into two conferences, East and West. Here we look at the West.

The Western Conference features the Supporters’ Shield winners, Los Angeles FC, and a team who have reached the postseason for the first time in their history, Minnesota United. Also involved on this side of the playoffs are both the 2015 and 2016 MLS Cup Champions, the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders, respectively. They are joined by five-time MLS Cup winners, the Los Angeles Galaxy, two-time U.S. Open Cup winners FC Dallas and the 2009 MLS Cup Champions, Real Salt Lake.

Related Story. MLS: 5 teams who excelled expectations in 2019. light

The playoffs see the 14 teams seeded from one to seven in their respective Conferences, with the number one seed receiving a bye to the Conference semi-finals and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Seeds two through seven now face off in the first round to reach the semi-finals, with the two seed playing the seven seed, three seed playing the six seed and four versus five. The winner of the four-vs-five clash will travel to the number one seed, while the two winners from the two seed, three seed, six seed and seven seed matches will play one another.

First Round Fixtures:

[1] Los Angeles FC – Bye

[4] Minnesota United v [5] Los Angeles Galaxy

[2] Seattle Sounders v [7] FC Dallas

[3] Real Salt Lake v [6] Portland Timbers

Here is a look at each team, how they got to the postseason and what they can expect in the postseason.

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: Los Angeles FC celebrates winning the Supporters Shield following Los Angeles FC’s MLS match against Houston Dynamo at the Banc of California Stadium on September 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 3-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

[1] Los Angeles FC

The best team in the league in 2019 by far were Los Angeles FC. In only their second season in MLS, the Black and Gold broke several records en route to the Supporters’ Shield. They had Carlos Vela, who is now the favourite for the MLS MVP award thanks to his single-season record of 34 goals this campaign, had the joint-highest amount of goals scored (85) and the highest goal differential in MLS history (+48).

LAFC also broke the single-season points record thanks to a victory on Decision Day, reaching 72 points from 34 games, a point more than the New York Red Bulls achieved in 2018. They will come into the playoffs as the overarching favourites to lift the MLS Cup as they aim to tie the record for the shortest time for an expansion side to lift the trophy, joining Atlanta, who needed just two years (2017 expansion, 2018 title).

LAFC have a bye in the first round of the playoffs after their spectacular regular-season performance. They will then face a big game in the Conference semi-finals. The Black and Gold will host either Minnesota United or LA Galaxy. The Loons were the only away team to be victorious at the Banc of California Stadium in the regular season, while playing the Galaxy is the biggest fixture on the calendar, and in the playoffs, it would only be enhanced.

Can LAFC go all the way to their maiden MLS Cup triumph?

First Round Fixture:

[1] Los Angeles FC – Bye

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