Article by Matt Lichtenstadter
MLS’ long regular season is now over, and the playoffs are about to begin. This season was perhaps the most insane one yet, with stars, collapses, comebacks and records galore. Decision Day was no different. Before turning the focus to the postseason itself, let’s look back on what happened on that wild day, complete with some big winners and major losers.
Red Bulls win the Shield, again: For the Red Bulls to win their third Supporter’s Shield in six years, a few things needed to go their way: they needed to beat Atlanta United in their meeting at the end of September, which they did, and comprehensively. They needed to get more points than ATLU on the way through October, and they did. They also needed to navigate a change in coach mid-way through the season, and not only did they do that, they may be even better under Chris Armas. What they did to set a MLS single-season points record is nothing short of astonishing. Because of Atlanta’s flash, the Red Bulls solid season almost got entirely lost in the shuffle. But you cannot take away what this team has built from the academy on up (Red Bulls beat future MLS rival FC Cincinnati in the USL Playoffs this weekend too), and it is that foundation that allows them to be this good despite the turnover. This club is aching for a big time trophy, and they have as good a chance as any to finally win the Cup this year.
Seattle and DC finish remarkable turnarounds: Both Seattle and DC were in the basement of their respective conferences when the World Cup wrapped up in July. By the end of October, both teams have completely changed their fortunes and rocketed up the table. For the Sounders, it has become old hat that they start slow and finish insanely strong, but this season is different than the last two, somehow. With the addition of Raul Ruidiaz, and the health of their key players getting much better, they didn’t just improve, they transformed. They might not play the most beautiful soccer, but when you win 14 of your final 16, there can be no doubt its effective. The Sounders are the second seed in the West and a legit threat to threepeat as West champions.
In DC, the story has been well told by now, but they made Audi Field a fortress. With Wayne Rooney, there is a legitimacy to the club on and off the pitch that has transformed the way they play and the way they carry themselves. Russell Canouse, Bill Hamid and a bunch of home games certainly helped DC become infinitely better, but their turnaround is one that must be noticed. Their road form is still not quite good enough to be considered a threat in the East, especially against either the Red Bulls or Atlanta, but just making it to fourth in the East is a remarkable step in of itself, home field advantage or not.
RSL Sneaks In: Real Salt Lake has been a weird team this year. At their best, they play some wonderful soccer and they develop some great young talent. At their worst, they can be a disaster, and Mike Petke is always an interesting listen after those kinds of games. RSL were outclassed in their final game of the season at Portland, and they needed the Dynamo to come up with a win in LA for a playoff berth, and they did, as RSL stood and watched. Whether they backed in, sneaked in or earned it, RSL is in. This is a team that arguably should have been better over the last few years, especially with the infrastructure they’ve built, but the playoffs are a validation of that somewhat. Getting in is all you need in the MLS playoffs to go on a run, and RSL have that lottery ticket.
It wasn’t all good on Decision Day, especially for those in a few locales…
Atlanta Collapses: Whether it be Josef Martinez going cold at the wrong time, Miguel Almiron’s injury absence, or Tata Martino’s decision to leave at the end of the season, the combination proved fatal for Atlanta, who needed a win at Toronto FC to hoist the Supporter’s Shield, and they failed miserably, losing 4-1. TFC and Atlanta have generated a nice little rivalry, and the motivation was clear for the Reds: spoil Atlanta’s shield hopes, and they did. The Five Stripes can only do big, in success and in failure, and this is a major failure. Tata Martino even said as much:
“In a sense we betrayed ourselves and threw away everything that we worked for this season.”
That is a damning assessment from a coach of a team that averaged over two points a game. The worry now is what becomes of this team in the playoffs? Do they have the focus, the mental nerve and the ability to overcome everything surrounding them to win? Nothing less will do, and right now the atmosphere around the club is not good.
The Galaxy collapse, spectacularly: The Galaxy this year have not been very good but had control of their playoff destiny in their hands against Houston and looked to be cruising with a 2-0 lead at halftime. And then, the house of cards fell in spectacular fashion. Houston won 3-2 and the Galaxy are out of the playoffs for a second straight season. Zlatan’s magic has obfuscated for a time some of the Galaxy’s biggest structural issues at the back, but even he couldn’t save this team from itself. There are major questions about the future of the once proud Galaxy franchise, from the top on down. Who will run the team from a soccer perspective? What does this club want to be on and off the pitch? Who is the best person to execute that vision? Will any of the superstars return? This club is in a crisis right now, and the most important offseason in their history is to come. Their new neighbors are MLS Cup favorites when they play at their best, and the Galaxy cannot afford to slip behind for long.
Here are a few quick previews of the knockout round games:
NYCFC/Philadelphia: NYCFC have not been great under Domenec Torrent both in the results column and in their style of play. It has been staid, listless and at times completely devoid of ideas; a 180-degree departure from Patrick Vieira’s tenure. But they did look a little like themselves against the Union on Sunday, enough so that they should be favorites when they play again Wednesday. It has been a solid season for the Union in terms of the growth in style of play and with young players taking the reins of this squad. But they have not been up to task in big games this year, and they will have to grow up to win in the Bronx. Based on recent evidence, it doesn’t seem likely.
FC Dallas/Portland: In another spectacular, though less major collapse, FC Dallas went from the second seed to the fourth in the West by throwing away a lead against meager Colorado. They are not playing well right now either, particularly when it comes to generating chances. They don’t have a real #10 they can rely on, this after selling Mauro Diaz, and they don’t seem to have any answers for that question. Portland is stout and solid defensively, and after making it the postseason for the first time in consecutive seasons, that base should be enough to get them by FC Dallas. They look to be the only road favorites in these four games.
DC/Crew: DC United at home is a threat to beat anyone in the league, and the Crew are not the kind of team at the current time that can really threaten that progress. They have not played well since September, and even though the burden of where the Club will be playing next season seems to be lifted, the play hasn’t responded in kind. Gyasi Zardes will have to have one of his best games to threaten DC United at the back, and the Crew must be tighter through midfield to contain Lucho Acosta and Senor Wayne. It doesn’t seem that likely.
LAFC/RSL: LAFC missed a chance to get a bye, and they have not been at their best either at the back since September as well. But they catch a break playing RSL rather than the Galaxy, because not only has LAFC destroyed RSL twice this season, RSL is not good at all away from Rio Tinto Stadium, and this game is in Los Angeles. This seems like the most one-sided game in the knockout round for sure.
If the playoffs are anything like the regular season, then it should be a wild ride to MLS Cup on December 8th.
