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MLS: Only one winner from Playoffs

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his 2nd goal during the MLS Western Conference Semi-final between Los Angeles FC and Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 5-3 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his 2nd goal during the MLS Western Conference Semi-final between Los Angeles FC and Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 5-3 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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The MLS Playoffs have almost reached their conclusion, with only MLS Cup to come. And after all the drama, there is one obvious winner: the new format.

The meat and drink of the Major League Soccer Playoffs have come to an end after this week’s Conference Finals. And if there was one word to summarise the theme of the MLS postseason: drama.

This has been a manically and brilliantly dramatic series of matches. Even the latest two games featured the two underdogs winning, a missed penalty, two come-from-behind victories, last-gasp capitulations, ironic confetti.

All in all, these playoffs have been utterly fantastic, featuring some of the best games of the entire season. These are just some of the most dramatic events of the past few weeks:

  • A 4-3 victory in a basketball-like first-round game
  • A 5-1 win, with four goals coming in the first period of extra-time
  • A first playoff victory for the Philadelphia Union after being 3-1 down.
  • A historic El Trafico which featured eight goals
  • A last-gasp winner in a makeshift stadium
  • Two come-from-behind wins by significant underdogs to make a third MLS Cup between the same teams in four years

And they are just some of the remarkable matches that took place this postseason. This has truly been one of the best playoff competitions in MLS history.

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There are many reasons for this increased drama and excitement throughout the playoffs, but the most crucial one is due to the decision-making of MLS. It is very rare that MLS make good decisions regarding the structure of the league and the competition they manage. There are many curious decisions that made that only worsen the entertainment value and overall calibre and pedigree of the league. But altering playoffs to make them single-elimination matches throughout was the perfect choice.

In previous years, certain rounds have been single elimination in their structure. The key distinction this year was that the first round would also be straight-knockout. And the statistics for how the first round played out are staggering, an ideal illustration of how the rule changes have impacted the pattern of the matches.

In the first round alone, across six games, 27 goals were scored, three games went to extra-time, and the other three were only decided by one goal. There were three goals scored after the 80-minute mark, no game entered the stoppage time of normal with one team holding a two-plus-goal advantage.

Next. Atlanta United Vs Toronto FC: 3 things we learned. dark

This has been a brilliant year of postseason football. In the end, there is only one real winner, and that is the new format. Long may it continue.

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