MLS 2017 Playoff Preview

PLAYOFFS! We're talking about the playoffs. PLAYOFFS!

Wednesday night sees the beginning of the 2017 MLS Cup Playoff following last Sunday's exciting Decision Day action. After a few days of recovering from witnessing Toronto FC setting the all-time points record, Atlanta United breaking their own attendance record, and San Jose getting an extra-time winner to propel them into the final playoff spot, it is now time to look ahead to the postseason.

The knockout round occurs this Wednesday and Thursday to see who advances to the Conference Semi-Finals. Here's how I think things will work out (winner in bold):

(3) Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls - 10/25 @ 8:30 on FS1
While the Red Bulls are always dangerous, this Fire team has been excellent all year.

(3) Vancouver Whitecaps vs San Jose Earthquakes - 10/25 @ 10:30 on UniMas
The Whitecaps had plenty of chances to clinch a first round bye, and, while the Quakes are riding a high from last weekend, it won't be enough to advance.

(4) Atlanta United FC vs Columbus Crew - 10/26 @ 7 on ESPN 2
The Five Stripes have been the darling of Major League Soccer this year and have been dominant since moving into their new home. Nevertheless, keep the Crew in Columbus.

(4) Houston Dynamo vs Sporting Kansas City - 10/26 @ 9:30 on UniMas
This is a case of never betting against the home team in a MLS game. SKC is a solid club, but at the same time, Houston has only lost once at home this season.

After all the knockout round games are done, it is time to reseed the teams and advance to the Conference Semis. Since I obviously correctly predicted all of those games, it is time for me to pick all the 2nd round games correctly as well.

(1) Portland Timbers vs (4) Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo may be the best home team in the West, but they are abysmal on the road, which is why the Timbers will advance.

(2) Seattle Sounders vs  (3) Vancouver Whitecaps
Seattle seems focused now on repeating as champions, and that's why they'll take down their Cascadia rival.

(1) Toronto FC vs (4) Atlanta United FC
Atlanta has had a fantastic rookie year in the league, but Toronto set the all time points record for a reason.

(2) New York City FC vs (3) Chicago Fire 
This is my upset pick for this round. David Villa is one of the best players in the league, but I feel the Fire find a way to advance.

While after the party is the after party, after the semi-finals is the normal finals. Here's how those will play out:

(1) Portland Timbers vs (2) Seattle Sounders
The rivalry of all American soccer rivalries will end the way you think it will, a tightly contested match that goes down to the wire, with the Sounders coming out on top.

(1) Toronto FC vs (3) Chicago Fire
MLS Cup 2016 all over again. There's few things that could stop TFC, and the Fire aren't one of them.

It's the final finals (until next year).
(1) Toronto FC vs (2) Seattle Sounders
Mark your calendar for December 9th, as it will be the day that the rematch of the 2016 MLS Cup finals takes place. This game won't be nearly as close as last year, as Toronto will be focused on one thing: winning it all.

Those are my predictions for the 2017 MLS Playoffs. If you want to make your own predictions, you can head over to bracket.mlssoccer.com and join the Head In The Game league, then head over to Twitter and let us know you've done so.



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