> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bigdsoccer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2024 MLS Playoff preview: It’s Messi and everyone else - URL: https://www.bigdsoccer.com/2024-mls-playoff-preview-best-of-three-round-lionel-messi/ - Published: 2024-10-25T18:20:20.000Z - Updated: 2024-10-25T18:20:19.000Z - Description: Let’s not dwell over the playoff format this year. Instead let’s discuss who’s playing. - Author: Drew Epperley - Tags: Major League Soccer Well, folks. The MLS Playoffs are here. Starting tonight, the league’s weird and, to some, stupid, Best-of-Three series begins in Miami. We’re now in year two of this new format. I discussed this time around last year why this format is a bit of a mess to explain to the casual fan, you know, the group of sports fans that MLS is actively wanting to reach these days. You can dive into that one here if you want. [Explaining the new MLS Playoff format is a headacheA best of three series sandwiched between some single elimination rounds is just weird.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/a4/9ba413bd-9ade-4977-b9cf-1a1e2ef6de5c/content/images/size/w256h256/format/png/2024/10/Big_D_Soccer_minimal-2.svg)Big D SoccerDrew Epperley![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/a4/9ba413bd-9ade-4977-b9cf-1a1e2ef6de5c/content/images/2024/10/1J1A9206-1.jpg)](https://www.bigdsoccer.com/explaining-the-new-mls-playoff-format-6709845f430f80001b5752ce/) Instead, I’m going to provide a bit of a preview for the Best-of-Three round, with some quick thoughts as to why you should care, when things get started and a prediction of how I see it all playing out. > The bracket is locked and loaded for Round 1 of the Audi [#MLSCupPlayoffs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=bigdsoccer.com) 🔒 [pic.twitter.com/FLLXyL4GD0](https://t.co/FLLXyL4GD0?ref=bigdsoccer.com) > > — Major League Soccer (@MLS) [October 24, 2024](https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1849450754836173028?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=bigdsoccer.com) Let’s begin with the conference FC Dallas is in, the West. ### No. 1 LAFC vs No. 8 Vancouver Whitecaps **First match:** Sunday, Oct. 27, 8:45 pm CT **Season series**: LAFC won both games with a combined 5-1 score. **Quick Thoughts**: First off, Vancouver absolutely dominated their Wild Card game the other night in Portland. It was a game they [*should have hosted*](https://thethirdsub.ca/2024/10/21/coffee-with-the-caps-monday-october-21/?ref=bigdsoccer.com), had it not been for a Super Cross rally at BC Place. But playing LAFC has not always been great for the Caps. Outside of their League’s Cup meeting earlier this year, LAFC has typically dominated this series, including a meeting in last year’s playoffs. **Prediction:** LAFC in two ### **No. 4 Seattle Sounders vs. No. 5 Houston Dynamo** **First match:** Monday, Oct. 28, 7:50 pm CT **Season series**: Seattle with the edge, 1-0-1 against Houston. **Quick Thoughts**: This one feels weirdly, I mean weirdly, similar to last year’s meeting between Seattle and FC Dallas. Maybe it is the Texas connection there but there is something about this matchup that screams, it will go to all three games to me. Each team will win at home. **Prediction:** Sounders in three ### **No. 3 Real Salt Lake vs. No. 6 Minnesota United** **First match:** Tuesday, Oct. 29, 7:50 pm CT **Season series**: Both meetings were draws. **Quick Thoughts**: On paper, this one feels like the one series in the West that has an upset alert on it. But, my gut tells me it will just be a weird one from the start with teams winning on the road, instead of at home. That, and I really like the momentum Minnesota carries into the playoffs. They’re the hot hand right now (7-2-1 in their last 10 games) **Prediction:** Minnesota in three ### **No. 2 LA Galaxy vs. No. 7 Colorado Rapids** **First match:** Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 pm CT **Season series**: LA won both meetings with a combined 6-3 score. **Quick Thoughts**: LA looked to be the top dog in the West before Decision Day brought them down a peg, while Colorado stumbled into the playoffs. This one looks to be fairly straightforward. **Prediction:** Galaxy in two --- ### No. 1 Inter Miami vs No. 9 Atlanta United **First match:** Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 pm CT **Season series**: Atlanta has the edge in the season series, winning one and drawing the other. **Quick Thoughts**: Which Atlanta side will we see in this series? The one that scored a win over Miami in late May against Lionel Messi? Or the one that picked up a draw in Miami in mid-September? I believe Miami still has the edge here regardless as [Atlanta is such a weird team](https://www.fivestripefinal.com/p/atlanta-united-might-have-been-a?ref=bigdsoccer.com). **Prediction:** Miami in three ### **No. 4 Orlando City vs. No. 5 Charlotte FC** **First match:** Sunday, Oct. 27, 6:30 pm CT **Season series**: Orlando won the series with a win and a draw. **Quick Thoughts**: This may be the series I’m most excited about in either conference. Orlando has been in top-form over the last two months (I know we all remember [seeing them take it to FCD in Frisco](https://www.bigdsoccer.com/what-we-learned-fc-dallas-vs-orlando-city-game-breakdown-2024/)). Charlotte has been equally hot in the final stretch of the season, as well. They also have one of the strongest defenses in MLS. As much as I love their defense, I give the edge to an Oscar Pareja-led team. **Prediction:** Orlando in three ### **No. 3 FC Cincinnati vs. No. 6 New York City FC** **First match:** Monday, Oct. 28, 5:45 pm CT **Season series**: They split the season series. **Quick Thoughts**: This one has the vibe of ‘who ever hosts, will win.’ Cincy stumbled into the playoffs, losing three of their last five, while NYCFC won three out of their last five. Also, we get a playoff game in a baseball stadium again. Yay? **Prediction:** Cincinnati in three ### **No. 2 Columbus Crew vs. No. 7 New York Red Bulls** **First match:** Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:45 pm CT **Season series**: Columbus won both meetings with a combined 6-2 scoreline. **Quick Thoughts**: The Crew really gave Miami a run for things with the Supporters Shield. It is crazy to think that 66 points isn’t a guarantee Shield win these days in MLS. What is also crazy is that these two met on Decision Day. So, at least they are super familiar with one another. **Prediction:** Columbus in two --- We’ll see if these predictions end up being accurate or not in the coming days. Once we get to the conference semifinals, I’ll revisit things again here. Who are you taking to win these series? Let’s discuss below.