After all the drama of Decision Day, it’s now on to even more drama as the 2015 MLS Cup playoffs finally get underway on Wednesday. The No. 4 and No. 5 seeds from the Eastern and Western Conference will kick off the knockout round, where they will get just one do-or-die game to book a place in the semifinals.
The two No. 5 seeds – the New England Revolution and Los Angeles Galaxy – were last year’s finalists, but will have it all to do as they go on the road in this single-elimination playoff. Can either/both manage to prolong their playoff run past Wednesday? Read on below as we break down the two opening knockout round matches.
Meanwhile, get ready for the other big playoff action on Wednesday’s schedule with our preview of the World Series Game 1.
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2015 MLS Cup Knockout Round Preview
DC United vs. New England Revolution
Where: RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
When: Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 PM ET
Line: DC United +142 vs. New England Revolution +154, tie +230; total 2.5 – view all MLS lines
As season-ending games go, getting smashed 5-0 by a weakened opponent missing its top scorer, and losing out on a crucial first-round bye to said opponent, is right down there with the worst ones. The silver lining for D.C. United, though, is that despite the loss, it still has homefield advantage for the crucial one-game playoff against New England.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]United went 11-3-3 at RFK Stadium, the fourth-best home record in the entire MLS during the regular season. Moreover, United has won five of its last six home games against the Revs. Leading scorer Chris Rolfe (10 goals) has scored just once since mid-August, but he has a knack for scoring against New England. He’s scored three goals in United’s last two home games against the Revs.
Getting homefield was also crucial for United because of the Revs’ very poor road record. New England is 5-10-2 and has given up 35 goals away from home, the second-worst mark behind Toronto among playoff teams. However, the Revs recorded a big 3-1 win at NYCFC on Decision Day to snap their four-game winless skid.
The Revs still have the star power which led them to the MLS Cup Final last season. Jermaine Jones will battle to win the ball in midfield against a United team that struggles to keep hold of possession, while Lee Nguyen (10 assists) can supply that touch of quality in what could be a tough, grind-it-out sort of game at RFK.
Writer’s Prediction
The Revs find that bit of quality on offense to edge DC United, 2-1.
Seattle Sounders vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
When: Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Seattle Sounders +115 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy +185, tie +240; tie 2.5 – view all MLS lines
If the numbers are any indication, Seattle seemingly has a sizeable advantage in this knockout round matchup thanks to homefield advantage. Since losing to Vancouver on August 1, Sounders FC has gone a sizzling 6-0-1 in its last seven home games.
Seattle will face off with a Los Angeles team that has won just two road games all season, tied for the second fewest in the entire league. Seattle has also lost just once in its last eight home games against the Galaxy (5-1-2).
Seattle’s star striker Obafemi Martins has come back with a vengeance after an injury-hit first half to power the Sounders’ resurgence. The Nigerian has found the net eight times in his last 10 MLS games. Clint Dempsey hasn’t been as prolific, but he’s still a major threat to turn a game on its head.
The Sounders will be eager to get some revenge over the rival Galaxy after LA knocked them out over two legs in last year’s conference final.
The Galaxy are the third-leading scorers in the league this season with 56 goals, but apart from top scorer Robbie Keane (20 goals), no one else has been able to find the back of the net recently. Keane has been on fire, scoring five goals in the past four games, but the rest of the team has just two in the past seven games. The Galaxy, as a result, have gone just 1-4-2 in those seven games.
However, it’s tough to completely count out the defending champions, who are still priced at +900 to defend their crown. This is a team with so many experienced stars (Keane, Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos) who can provide that moment of inspiration that can be pivotal in a single-elimination playoff game.
Writer’s Prediction
Sounders FC ends the Galaxy’s championship run with a 2-0 home win. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the great MLS Cup playoff soccer action.
