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MLS: Playoff Power Rankings

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota United
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 25: Jan Gregus #8 of Minnesota United leads his teammates in a celebration after United clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs after defeating Sporting Kansas City 2-1 at Allianz Field on September 25, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

8. Minnesota United

Minnesota United have reached the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in their short history, thanks to a change in philosophy from coach Adrian Heath, who has been at the helm since the start of their MLS tenure in 2017. The changes have resulted in a more solid defence, with Vito Mannone raking up 11 clean sheets, the third-most in the league this campaign, and a dangerous, countering attack.

The Loons will come into the postseason feeling like they have nothing to lose because most people did not expect them to make it in the first place. And that attitude has been reflected here at MLS Multiplex, with Minnesota ranked as the eighth-likeliest team to win the MLS Cup. However, up to the last day of the season, Minnesota had been challenging for second place in the West and only a Decision Day defeat to Seattle saw them drop down to fourth.

A new home for the Loons has helped, with Allianz Field becoming somewhat of a fortress in 2019, with only the Philadelphia Union able to take three points away from St. Paul this season.
They will play at home against LA Galaxy in the first round of the playoffs, and despite being at home, the Loons will probably go into the game as the underdogs. The underdog status, though, is one that Minnesota have relished this year, with big wins away at the New York Red Bulls and, even more surprisingly, away to LAFC in September. They also made it all the way to the U.S. Open Cup final, having beaten Sporting KC, Houston and Portland on the way.

If they can keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic quiet next week, Minnesota will grab their first playoff victory. And from there, it is anyone’s guess. They could be one of the surprise packages in the 2019 MLS Cup playoffs.

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