The conference semifinals of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs didn’t disappoint as four teams booked their place in the next round while four teams were sent home early.
With MLS Cup favorites Columbus Crew and Inter Miami knocked out in Round One, the Eastern Conference was wide open in the conference semifinals. New York Red Bulls took down its rivals NYCFC in a bend-but-don’t-break defensive approach while Orlando City defeated Atlanta United ending the latter’s Cinderella run.
Out West, Seattle Sounders picked up its first win over LAFC since May 2021, snapping a 10-game winless run vs. the Black and Gold and winning 2–1 on the road at BMO Stadium. The other side of LA got the job done and then some. The Galaxy smashed Minnesota 6-2 thanks to braces from Gabriel Pec, Dejan Joveljic and Joseph Painstil.
Here’s how the conference semifinals went with just four teams remaining in the postseason.
Red Bulls manager Sandro Schwarz continues to impress in his first season as manager. Red Bulls might not have put in a dominant performance by any teams at NYCFC at Citi Field, but it’s the result that matters most in the posteason.
Red Bulls got off to a hot start, scoring twice inside 30 minutes. The visitors were the better team in the first half and the scoreline reflected that with goals from Felipe Carballo and Dante Vanzeir. NYCFC battled back in the second 45, amassing a total xG of 3.44 but Red Bulls’ Carlos Coronel stood tall in goal to make eight crucial saves.
Schwarz’s team proved it can sit in and defend at times just like it did throughout the regular season, keeping a clean sheet on the road in the playoffs—which is no easy feat.
Many didn’t give the Sounders a chance to upset LAFC on the road, but Brian Schmetzer’s team put in a shift to deny the Black and Gold the chance to reach its third straight MLS Cup.
Neither LAFC or Sounders were able to find the opener in the first 45. LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead went on to open the scoring early in the second half, placing a close-range low-driven effort past the veteran Stefan Frei.
The Sounders responded in the 59th minute through an goal by LAFC’s Maxime Chanot. Obed Vargas sent in an inviting cross that Chanot tried to steer away but unluckily put in his own net, giving the Sounders a path back into the match.
Seattle turned the match around in the second half of extra time from a set piece. A botched clearance from the LAFC defense saw USMNT striker Jordan Morris pounce with a near-post finish that Hugo Lloris couldn’t keep out. Frei came up huge throughout the match, making nine total saves to play his part in the win.
Atlanta United fell in the semifinals to Orlando City after eliminating Cup favorites Inter Mami the round prior.
The Five Stripes couldn’t match Ramiro Enrique’s 39th minute goal and the Cinderella run is over. Atlanta can look back fondly on how they ended their season and the run they made, but they’ll feel disappointed they weren’t able to get on the scoresheet after outscoring Inter Miami the round prior.
For Orlando, it’s a chance to be the team from Florida who delivered in the end when all eyes were on its state rival.
A 6-2 smashing of Minnesota United has LA Galaxy in the driver’s seat for the MLS Cup. Looking at the remaining field, Galaxy is not only the highest seed remaining from the regular season, but also the most talented left. Riqui Puig, Pec, Painstil and company should be the favorite heading into the Western final.
Minnesota looked outmatched from the jump with LA Galaxy showing just how ruthless they could be in attack. Pec scored in the first minute and the team never looked back.
Both New York and Orlando will feel like they have a chance to make the final. The edge goes to the Red Bulls given the momentum they have beating not only the reigning champions, but its fierce rival in New York City FC in the first-ever Hudson River derby in the playoffs. Even on the road as the lower seed, Red Bulls get the job done.
Out west, it’s hard to imagine LA Galaxy isn’t destined for the final. LA’s attacking output will be too much for Seattle setting up an East coast vs. West coast final. One that mirrors the World Series that ended just a few weeks ago.
