MLS is Back: Ranking the four quarter-finals

MLS, LAFC, Diego Rossi (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
MLS, LAFC, Diego Rossi (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

1. Philadelphia Union vs. Sporting KC

The most even of the four games and it features two teams who have genuine hopes of winning the entire competition. The Philadelphia Union open the quarter-finals against Sporting KC in what could well be one of the best matches of the whole tournament once everything is said and done.

The Union have been fantastic in Orlando. Brenden Aaronson is a gorgeous attacking midfielder, the midfield dominates games, and Jim Curtin has built a young, bustling backline that plays out from the back and defends stoutly.

Meanwhile, there are few players in the league more exciting than Sporting KC striker Alan Pulido right now. The Mexican is a complete livewire. He works relentlessly, runs off the ball, and is starting to show his eye for goal, too. With Gadi Kinda, Johnny Russell and others chipping in, Peter Vermes’ team is ready to establish themselves among the MLS elite once again.

Next. San Jose Earthquakes Vs Real Salt Lake: 3 things we learned. dark

Two brilliant, evenly matched teams. Two experienced, longtime head coaches. And two organisations who will believe they have a chance of winning it all. This could be awesome.