Will Argentina superstar Lionel Messi finally win an MLS Cup final with Inter Miami? Can Germany great Thomas Mueller lead the Vancouver Whitecaps to an improbable title? Or will South Korean sensation Son Heung-min lead LAFC back to the top?
Messi’s latest trophy quest is the obvious storyline heading into the business end of the MLS Cup Playoffs, which resume on Saturday. But he isn’t the only big name chasing another piece of silverware.
Let’s break down and predict each of the single-elimination games of the MLS Cup quarterfinals:
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LAFC (Saturday, Nov. 22)
Prediction: Vancouver 2, LAFC 1
Because the Canadian club swept FC Dallas in Round One, the ‘Caps haven’t played in three weeks. Neither has LAFC, which vanquished Austin FC in a 2–0 series win. But Vancouver — which has been beset by injuries to key players like striker Ryan Gauld and MLS defender of the year Triston Blackmon this season — probably stands to benefit more from the extended break between games.
As much as Messi is the postseason headliner, there will be star power galore north of the border. Midseason arrivals Thomas Muller (Vancouver) and Son Heung-min (LAFC) have electrified their new teams’ respective fan bases since landing over the summer from Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively. With 10 goals in 12 appearances, Son is the more likely match winner. The ‘Caps will be playing in front of an overflow home crowd of more than 53,000 at BC Place, though, which could be consequential in the end.
“It’s gonna be an incredible atmosphere,” Vancouver’s Sebastian Berhalter said after scoring his first international goal on Tuesday in the U.S. men’s national team’s 5-1 drubbing of Uruguay. “As soon as this whistle [blew], I used to be simply enthusiastic about LAFC on Saturday.”
FC Cincinnati v. Inter Miami (Sunday, Nov. 23)
Prediction: Miami 3, Cincinnati 2
Nashville made Inter Miami work to outlive their best-of-three, successful at dwelling and forcing a nervy decider in Fort Lauderdale. Not like final yr, when bottom-seeded Atlanta United shocked the Supporters Defend recipient on the identical stage, Miami not solely survived with out suspended star striker Luis Suarez — however superior in superb fashion with a Messi-led 4-0 win.
Whether or not this month’s FIFA window sapped a few of that momentum stays to be seen. Miami prioritized the MLS Cup over ending on the prime of the common season desk following its humiliating finish to 2024. Consequently, they must journey to Ohio for Sunday’s contest after ending behind Cincy within the Japanese Convention standings. The soundness of that technique will quickly be examined in entrance of a sea of orange at TQL Stadium.
Nonetheless, Messi is the apparent wildcard. Regardless of having received each obtainable tile throughout his unparalleled profession, he appears decided so as to add the title to his assortment of silverware (together with one other league MVP) and be certain that his stateside journey is remembered as a hit.
Philadelphia Union v. New York Metropolis FC (Sunday, Nov. 23)
Prediction: Philadelphia 3, NYCFC 1
Philly went from a uncommon playoff miss final season to claiming the Supporters Defend as common season champs underneath first yr boss and coach of the yr award finalist Bradley Carnell. They’re enjoying at dwelling at Subaru Park in opposition to an NYCFC facet that’s decimated by accidents, most notably a knee harm earlier this month to Costa Rican star striker Alonso Martinez.
Union followers received’t sympathize with NYCFC’s flight, not after narrowly dropping to their East rival within the 2021 semifinals with most of their beginning lineup unavailable due to pandemic-era protocols. Every week later, NYCFC would hoist the MLS Cup in Portland.
Philadelphia remains to be on the lookout for its first league title. A win on Sunday would put Carnell’s squad only one extra victory away from internet hosting the title bout in suburban Chester on Dec. 6. So as to take action, they will have to put the strain on a Pigeons squad led by U.S. males’s workforce beginning goalkeeper Matt Freese.
San Diego FC v. Minnesota United (Monday, Nov. 24)
Prediction: Minnesota 2, San Diego 0
Enlargement darling San Diego is enjoying with home cash, having received the Western Convention in its debut marketing campaign. They then dispatched the Portland Timbers briefly order, together with a 4-0 pasting in Sport 2. Fairly spectacular, particularly with Danish newcomer Anders Dreyer main the cost at SDFC.
The Loons have been, too — ending above perennial MLS Cup contenders Seattle Sounders in league play after which eliminating them on penalties in Sport 3 of their unforgettable first spherical matchup.
It seems like a tossup. Nevertheless, my hunch is that San Diego’s dream season will lastly must face the chilly gentle of morning when the quarterfinals are full.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports activities who has lined United States males’s and ladies’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Comply with him @ByDougMcIntyre.
