MLS is Back: 3 dark horses for knockout stages

The draw is opening up for the MLS is Back knockout stages. With that in mind, here are three dark horses who could cause an upset or two.

The group stages of the MLS is Back Tournament are nearly at an end. As such, the knockout stages are slowly being determined, with the favourites for the eventual title being named across the league.

The likes of Toronto, Columbus, Portland, LAFC and Sporting KC have been much discussed as potential and likely winners. But as the group stages have proven, there are plenty of other teams who could be dangerous in the knockout stages.

Here are three dark horses who could yet cause an upset or two in the coming rounds of the MLS is Back Tournament.

3. Orlando City

No one expected Orlando City to come out of Group A as the victors. A group that started with six teams, was then reduced to four teams following the withdrawals of FC Dallas and Nashville SC, and still featured two elite teams from 2019, New York City FC and the Philadelphia Union, very few believed that Oscar Pareja’s team would be even vaguely competitive.

And yet, not only have the Lions proven themselves to be capable of challenging high-level MLS opponents; they have in fact beat them. In three games, they beat Inter Miami and NYCFC before then drawing with the Union to close out the group.

Defensively, they are well-drilled and organised, Oriol Rosell is a superb holding midfielder who helps dictate play, Ruan and Joao Moutinho form one of the most dynamic full-back pairings in MLS, while Nani, Chris Mueller and Mauricio Pereyra all link together superbly behind a central striker. Orlando are dangerous, very dangerous.