MLS Playoffs Conference Semifinals: Galaxy the last giant standing

The MLS Cup playoffs are down to their final four.

After the No. 1 seed Inter MiamiEliminated in Round One, Western Conference Champions. LAFC was eliminated in the semi-finals by Seattle Sounders. On the other side of Los Angeles, though, the stars are aligning. LA Galaxy.

Atlanta UnitedCinderella’s race, to their dismay, spread. Lionel Messi & Co., was short-lived after collapsing in Orlando City. Meanwhile, New York Red Bulls Knockout New York City FC In the first postseason edition of the Hudson River Derby.

What about the weekend’s playoff action? And of the last four teams MLS Postseason games? ESPN experts weigh in.

About the semi-finals of the conference

Galaxy does what every other favorite couldn’t.

The galaxy was stunned. Minnesota United 6-2 in the Western Conference semifinals, becoming the only top-three team in both the East and West to reach the conference finals. LAFC, The original Salt Lake, FC Cincinnatithe Columbus Crew And Inter Miami all proved disappointing in the 2024 postseason.

Many have predicted that Miami will be the likely host and clear favorite to win the MLS Cup, as Messi and Luis Suarez Scored a goal and led the team to the Supporters’ Shield. Instead, the underrated Galaxy did it with 15 goals in three playoff games that Inter couldn’t do easily.

The historic California club capitalized on the momentum it gained during the regular season, which translated into consistent success during the postseason tournament. — Megan Swank

Waiting for the first MLS Cup.

With LAFC and NYCFC out of the picture, the remaining four clubs will look to win their first league championship of 2020. Two of those four Eastern Conference clubs — Orlando City and the Red Bulls — could make history by winning the MLS Cup title for the first time.

For Orlando, achieving that will be thanks to their lively form, which was on display in their 1-0 win over Atalanta. “Since July, we’ve been one of the best teams in MLS,” said Dagor Thorhalsen After their conference semifinal victory.

As for the Red Bulls, who will face Orlando for a coveted spot in the finals, they will be hoping to brush aside their upcoming opponents just like they did to NYCFC 2-0 last weekend. was defeated by 0.

Both the Galaxy and the Sounders have a long history when it comes to MLS Cup titles — the Galaxy leads the league with five, while Seattle has two — but have seen other heavy hitters win the championship in recent years. There is a clear sense of redemption. . As hosts of the Western Conference Finals, the red-hot Galaxy will be the favorites, but let’s not overlook the grit of a Seattle roster that went toe-to-toe with LAFC through overtime in a dramatic 2-1 conference semifinal win. went to — Cesar Hernandez

Atlanta’s Cinderella run is already over.

Once you beat the record-breaking Supporters’ Shield winners in the first round of the play-offs, it’s hard not to become the neutrals’ favorite in the next round. Alas, it was not to be. Atlanta — the ninth-best team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, and the heroic underdog story of Round One — is out of the playoffs.

The Five Stripes upset a star-studded Inter Miami Dream Team with a gritty performance, polished off by the 40-year-old’s goalkeeping heroics. Brad Guzan. On Saturday, though, a flat-footed Atlanta was defeated by Orlando and fell short of the conference semifinals.

Last year’s weaknesses proved decisive in the end. Atalanta scored 13 goals from set pieces during the regular season, and Orlando’s lone goal in Saturday’s match came as such: the Argentine striker Ramiro Enrique Was marked in the box and scored on a dead ball situation.

And just like that, Atlanta’s impressive playoff run came to an end. The silver lining? Orlando just made its first Eastern Conference final and could make more history next Saturday night. — Lizzie Bicherano

Conference Semifinals MVP

Stephen Frey | Seattle Sounders

The Sounders cruised past LAFC on Saturday, the West Coast’s top-ranked team in the regular season thanks to an incredible nine saves from their goalkeeper. Frey is a big game keeper, and he came up big again for Seattle.

Longtime Sounders coach Brian Schmitzer said after the match, “We’ve been a good defensive team the last few years … but I’m going to stump for Stephen Frey.” “I mean how come this guy didn’t win the Goalkeeper of the Year award, it’s a fraud. I’ll say it, it’s a fraud, and it’s a mistake. And if people don’t want to get on the bandwagon There are, so it’s up to you, but my belief, my opinion, is that guy is the best shot stopper in the league, bar none.” — Becherano

Gabriel Peck | LA Galaxy

It should come as no surprise that Pec knows how to perform for the Galaxy after his shocking debut season in MLS. The 2024 Rookie of the Year scored two goals against Minnesota, less than 60 seconds after the opening whistle, to give the Californian club the lead. The 23-year-old Brazilian immediately set the tone for the Galaxy, combining perfectly with the midfield to unlock potential all over the field. He has scored three goals in the playoffs and shows no signs of slowing down. — Swank

Carlos Coronel | New York Red Bulls

One could argue that Free was the best goalkeeper of the round, and probably the Red Bulls Andres Reyes Cornell had the best players in Saturday’s derby win. But the 27-year-old Brazilian was still nothing short of brilliant. Coronel made seven saves against NYCFC, who went scoreless despite an xG of 2.8. In contrast, the Red Bulls had an XG of just 0.97. The shutout was the Colonel’s seventh in the Hudson River Derby. — Hernandez

Aim for the conference semi-finals

Jordan Morris | Seattle Sounders

Morris’ 13 regular-season goals make him the Sounders’ top scorer, but his 109th-minute strike against LAFC may be his most important. In the midst of a flurry following a corner, Morris found himself in a good position as the ball bounced his way. With a crisp turn, he smashed it into the upper-right corner, sealing Seattle’s place in the Western Conference finals. — Becherano

Gabriel Peck | LA Galaxy

The second half of the night against Minnesota brought flashbacks of the goal against Diego Maradona England It was a perfectly timed run down the right at the 1986 World Cup as he took over the entire Loans backline before completing the strike. — Swank

One of the best solo goals you will ever see 😱😱

STOP THAT GABRIELLE PEC!!@LAGalaxy // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/LhI6px8ldL

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) 25 November 2024

Felipe Carbello | New York Red Bulls

It’s an amazing strike from Carballo. From more than 30 yards from goal, the Red Bulls midfielder fired a shot that put his side 1-0 up in a 2-0 derby win. To quote Apple TV commentator Danny Higginbotham on this goal: “It’s one touch and then it’s world class.” — Hernandez