Brian Schmetzer believes the Seattle Sounders are in control of their playoff destiny after edging out the Houston Dynamo in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.

After a goalless encounter, the Sounders held their nerve in the shootout, scoring all five spot-kicks before Erik Sviatchenko's miss proved costly.

They also stopped their opponents from registering a single shot on target, marking the fourth time the Sounders have achieved that milestone in a playoff match, and will be looking to do the same in their second encounter.

"Right now it doesn't matter how we played, really. We're in control and we won,” Schmetzer said. "This was going to be a tight series because the two teams are very good defensively.

"We've had our challenges this year sometimes scoring goals. Did we create enough? Those are all valid questions. Again, I would just repeat that those guys put the effort in. We were close on a couple of occasions."

Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei is also on the verge of history, with his shutout in the first game his 14th playoff clean sheet, needing one more to go level with LA Galaxy’s Kevin Hartman for the MLS record.

"Stef has an opportunity in Houston to tie for number one [all-time]," Schmetzer pointed out.

"So that's a goal that he can reach, he can attain, and let's see if he can do that. Because that would give us the best chance of ending the series in Houston."

For Houston, meanwhile, their cruel defeat in Game 1 was partly down to their own doing, so says head coach Ben Olsen.

The Dynamo boss acknowledged his side did not do enough in the final third, not helped by Adalberto Carrasquilla’s red card, which will see him miss the upcoming encounter.

Though the performance did not come as a surprise to Olsen, given the two sides’ defensive record in the regular season, he wants to see improvements at the Shell Energy Stadium this time around.

“It was hardly surprising. They are the best defensive team in the league. We are also one of the better defensive teams in the league, but then you add the playoffs to it,” Olsen said.

“It’s a heightened game of being alert defensively. You have these kind of games in the playoffs. We didn’t do enough to create better opportunities for ourselves to win that game.

“Some of that is our doing, some of it is that we’re playing a good defensive team. I said this leading up to the game, we are not going to get a lot of chances.

“We may get a few big ones and you have to finish them. It will be a similar situation at home, they are not going to turn into a bad defensive team overnight.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Amine Bassi

In a team that is not filled with goals, Bassi has impressed for Houston, with his 10 goal involvements (three goals, six assists) in the regular season, a total only bettered by Ibrahim Aliyu (10) for the Dynamo.

The Moroccan also created more chances (79) than any of his team-mates, and his creative flair will be needed to unlock the Sounders’ defence.

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Rusnak has played a starring role for Seattle this term, with only Jordan Morris (17) scoring more goals in the regular season for the Sounders than the Slovakian.

Despite not hitting the back of the net in Game 1, Rusnak notched four goal involvements (two goals, two assists) in three games heading into the postseason.

MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

The Dynamo have lost only two of their 18 all-time home playoff matches (W12 D4), though one of those defeats was against Seattle in the 2017 Conference Finals. Houston won nine of their first 10 home playoff matches but have won just three of eight since (D4 L1).

Seattle, however, have won six of their last seven away matches, including the last three in a row, all with clean sheets. This is the second time they have kept three straight away clean sheets in all competitions since joining MLS in 2009, also doing so between June and July 2011.

They have also lost only two of their last 23 matches against the Dynamo in all competitions, including securing a shootout win after a scoreless draw at home in Game 1. Houston have also failed to score in 12 of their last 18 meetings with the Sounders.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 42.1%

Draw – 26.7%

Seattle Sounders – 31.2%

Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has demanded more from his team-mates if they are to replicate their U.S. Open Cup triumph in the MLS playoffs.

LAFC edged the first game of their best-of-three series against the Vancouver Whitecaps, with Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera on target for Steve Cherundolo’s side.

But Lloris, who joined the Black and Gold from Tottenham almost a year ago, was not impressed by his side’s showing and insists they must improve when they travel to BC Place.

"The performance is not enough, but we got the result so that's the most important thing," Lloris said.

"I think we need to increase our level if we want to have a mission. A win is a win, so that's positive."

"If we want to have a mission in this MLS Cup [playoffs], we need to do even better. "But I believe. We can do it.

"We need to realise that a game like tonight, we didn't feel safe until the end. So we have to do better."

Defender Aaron Long echoed Lloris’ thoughts, saying: “It’s definitely a job's-not-done mentality. We have one more game, potentially two more games.

"But I think a lot of us weren't happy giving up that goal late as well.”

“We want to finish that in a professional manner and end the game 2-0, even if it doesn't carry over on aggregate. 

"At least as a defender, that subdued me a tiny bit. But we'll look at the film again, a great win at home, and on to the next one.”

For Vanni Sartini, meanwhile, he acknowledged that his side were the better team in Game 1, but said that even playing well against LAFC, who topped the Western Conference in the regular season, would not be good enough.

But knowing they must win the game to keep their playoff campaign rolling, Sartini wants that little bit extra from his players, something he hopes will come from the home supporters inside BC Place.

“The main takeaway from the game is that playing well is probably not enough against them. We need to play well like we did in the last game, but we also need to have a little bit extra,” Sartini said.

“That can be the extra performance of individuals or even the extra courage that we need to have when we are attacking. I think we need this kind of extra.

“Hopefully, playing at home is going to help us win the game on Sunday.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld scored Vancouver’s only goal on Sunday after netting a hat-trick in the Wild Card Round against Portland Timbers in midweek.

The Scot is the first player in the Whitecaps’ MLS history to score in consecutive playoff matches.

LAFC - Denis Bouanga

Bouanga has scored in all three of his postseason meetings with the Whitecaps, the sixth player in MLS history to score in three straight playoff games against a single opponent.

No player in league history has scored in four straight postseason games against a single team, though the Gabon international will have his eyes set on making history this time around.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

LAFC have won three of their last four away matches against Vancouver in all competitions (D1), including a 1-0 win in last season’s playoffs and a 2-1 win in October in the league. LAFC had won only one of their first five road matches against Vancouver (L4).

They have also won seven straight matches in all competitions dating back to winning the US Open Cup Final in late September. LAFC has won 26 of their last 36 matches in all competitions (D5 L5) dating back to late April after opening the season with four wins in 11 games (D3 L4).

The Whitecaps, meanwhile, will be looking to return to winning ways at home. They have lost three straight home matches in all competitions for the first time since July 2019. Since joining MLS in 2011, Vancouver have never suffered four straight home defeats in all competitions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 28.4%

Draw – 24.4%

LAFC – 47.2%

Nick Cushing acknowledged the importance of New York City FC’s supporters at Citi Field for Game 2 of their best-of-three series MLS playoff clash with FC Cincinnati.

Yamil Asad’s only goal handed the Orange and Blue a slender advantage heading into their upcoming encounter, though the Pigeons head coach was confident about his sides chances on home soil.

NYCFC won 10 games at Citi Field during the regular season, with only Inter Miami (11) winning more in the Eastern Conference.

And Cushing believes that his players must start the game well to ensure their home fans generate an “incredible” atmosphere to push them over the line.

“We love playing at home in front of our people,” Cushing said. “I said post-game - irrelevant of what happened in Cincinnati - we're now playing in front of our people, and that is where we play our best football, but we need everybody behind us.

“The players are incredibly hungry. They have a huge desire to win this football game and to make sure that we win the game with our people. They've been amazing all season. I can always go back to the Miami game [this season]. That was incredible.

“It was actually interesting because the Miami game at Yankee Stadium was an amazing game in front of our fans. Our fans delivered so much for us, but the last playoff game I did at Citi Field was also against Miami.

“That was an incredible atmosphere and a good performance from the team. We know that if we play well and we start well we get our people behind us, and that is our aim.”

Pat Noonan, meanwhile, expects another difficult “chaotic” playoff encounter, evident when NYCFC’s goalkeeper Matt Freese was sent up from the back late on to try and steal a point in the opening game.

Cincinnati boasts an impressive record away from home, though, and Noonan said the ending of their previous match was a timely reminder to his players about the aggressive nature of the postseason.

“On Monday, we experienced what it looks like when there is no aggregate, and that’s teams going for it with no repercussions if they concede another goal,” Noonan said.

“We have a one goal lead, and they were going after it. You could see it when the goalkeeper came up at the end. It’s a little bit chaotic, so you must be prepared for it.

“That was a good reminder of what the game can look like when you’re playing with a lead and, on the other side of it, the ability to go after it in a very aggressive way to find the leveller – that was the reminder we needed from that particular game.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NYCFC – Alonzo Martinez

Since his move to NYCFC in August 2023, Martinez has found home comfort at Citi Field, netting 11 of his 16 goals in the 2024 regular season on home soil.

Along with team-mate Santiago Rodriguez, who scored in 10 of his 12 games at home, the Pigeons, along with Inter Miami (Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez), were the only two teams to feature two different players with 10 home goals this term.

Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

Acosta continued his fine regular season form into the postseason, setting up Asad for the only goal in Cincinnati’s 1-0 win in Game 1 on Monday.

The Argentine has now scored (three) or assisted (three) in six of Cincinnati’s 10 all-time playoff goals.

MATCH PREDICTION: NYCFC WIN

The Pigeons have won five of their seven home matches against Cincinnati (D1 L1), though both of Cincinnati’s games away from home against NYCFC have come in their three visits since 2022.

NYCFC have lost only four of their last 25 home matches in all competitions dating back to late August 2023 (W15 D6). They have won their last two home matches, scoring three goals in each, including a 3-2 win over Cincinnati in October. 

However, Cincinnati, along with Inter Miami, won 11 away matches in the 2024 regular season, equalling CF Montreal’s single-season MLS record set in 2022. They only managed two wins in their last six on the road (D1 L3) though, after winning nine of their first 11 away matches in 2024 (D1 L1).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

NYCFC – 43.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Cincinnati – 29.5%

Rob Valentino is confident Atlanta United can overcome their one-goal deficit against the “superstars” of Inter Miami in Game 2 of their best-of-three series in the MLS playoffs.

The Five Stripes lost their opening game of the postseason 2-1, with Jordi Alba’s long-range stunner sealing the triumph for Inter Miami, who will look to book their place in the next round with a victory.

But ahead of the encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, interim head coach Valentino was excited to welcome the Herons to Georgia, believing his side are not out of the fight just yet.

“I’m already buzzing about what that place is going to be like,” Valentino said.

“My message to the team was that these people are waiting to cheer for you, you’ve been three on the road to finish into the playoffs and you can feel the buzz getting back for them.

“Even all the people coming to see [Lionel] Messi, no problem. I love it, because eventually, like last time when things were going well, they were also cheering [for us].

“I get it, come to see the superstars, come and see our team fight and compete but these boys aren’t done yet.”

Inter Miami, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their win from Game 1, a game that their dominance was not reflected by the scoreline.

The Herons managed 22 shots, 12 of which were on target, compared to Atlanta’s eight shots with only two on Drake Callender’s goal.

Gerardo Martino’s side were met with the imposing figure of Brad Guzan, who made nine saves during the contest.

The Miami head coach believes had it not been for the veteran shot stopper, the game could have been out of site.

“It was a match where what I liked the most was the control we had on the field for almost the entire game,” Martino said.

“We didn’t make many mistakes that would allow the opponent to break out into space. We had five clear chances in the first half, and one of them came very close to the post.

“We were patient. I believe that if it weren’t for Brad (Guzan)’s performance, the match should have ended with a clear difference.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi carried his fine form into the postseason, notching the assist for Alba’s winning goal against the Five Stripes in Game 1.

Across the Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs, he has appeared in 10 knockout round matches for Inter Miami (single and multi-leg) and contributed to at least one goal in all of them (nine goals, five assists).

Atlanta United - Pedro Amador

Amador set up Saba Lobjanidze for Atlanta’s only goal in Game 1 on Friday, his sixth assist for the Five Stripes in the regular season and playoffs since debuting for the club in late August.

Only Alba (nine) and Riqui Puig (seven) have more assists than Amador in that time (including the playoffs).

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Inter Miami’s victory over Atlanta in Game 1 was the club’s 23rd MLS win of the campaign (regular season and playoffs). The only two teams in the post-shootout era with more wins in a single season, including playoffs, were Atlanta United (25) and the New York Red Bulls (24).

However, Atlanta are unbeaten in their last five home matches against Inter Miami (W4 D1), though Miami’s 2-2 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 18 ended a four-match home winning streak for the Five Stripes.

The Herons’ only-ever win at Atlanta was a 2-1 victory in September 2020, but they will have confidence of adding another on enemy territory.

Atlanta have won only four of their last 18 home matches in all competitions (D6 L8) dating back to April, however. The Five Stripes won just six regular-season home matches in 2024, their fewest in a full regular season in club history (excluding the shortened 2020 season).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 27.8%

Draw – 24.1%

Inter Miami – 48.1%

Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy's main message to players and fans ahead of Game 2 against the New York Red Bulls in the MLS playoffs was not to panic.

The Crew, the MLS Cup holders, lost 1-0 in Game 1 at Lower.com Field, having beaten the Red Bulls 3-2 on the road on Decision Day little over a week beforehand to finish five places above them in the Eastern Conference.

They also had plenty of chances to get level in their playoff opener, but were kept out by great goalkeeping.

“They did what is Red Bulls style,” Nancy told the Crew's official website.

“I think that we had many, many chances so we should score at least one goal. I don't forget that they had the run in behind that was clear, and maybe they could score, but I think that we can score a minimum of one goal.

“Listen, we attacked the box, they defended well. I think that in terms of finishing we could have been better at certain moments, but we're going to address certain things.”

The result on Tuesday means that Game 2 at Red Bull Arena is now a playoff eliminator for the Crew, but the coach was not going to make major changes to their approach.

“It doesn't change,” said Nancy.

“The message that I have is to stay calm. Stay calm because again, the game was the game that we wanted to do, except the finishing and also the goal that we conceded.”

Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz was not getting carried away with the result either, despite leading 1-0 in the series and hosting Game 2.

“This is one step and we have to continue this and prepare very seriously for Sunday, the next game in our stadium,” he told a press conference.

The Red Bulls' victory at Lower.com Field constituted the first big shock of the playoffs and they have an opportunity to create another, knowing victory would knock Columbus out.

But the magnitude of the task at hand was not lost on Schwarz.

“What I can say is we need everyone in our stadium, everyone in our stadium to support the whole team, because it's a big opportunity,” he said.

“It's a big game on Sunday. We must prepare these days now, for a good recovery, good video meeting, and good video session.

“What we must adapt in some moments and then on Sunday is kick-off. We need everyone in the stadium to create this atmosphere, the special atmosphere, which you need against Columbus.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York Red Bulls - Lewis Morgan

Morgan leads the goalscoring charts for the New York Red Bulls with 13 goals in MLS this season.

Six of those goals have been the first of the match and another opener in this fixture could be the beginning of the end for their opponents' playoff ambitions.

Columbus Crew - Cucho Hernandez

Hernandez finished the regular season as the Crew's top scorer with 19 goals in MLS, one behind Lionel Messi and four back from top scorer Christian Benteke.

He rounded off with six goals in his final six matches, while he had six shots on goal against the Red Bulls in Game 1.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW

The Crew's three-match winning streak was snapped last time out, but they were MLS Cup champions in 2023 and finished second to Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference this season.

Their defeat in Game 1 was just their seventh loss in 48 matches in all competitions in 2024. Columbus have not lost back-to-back matches since May 2023, while their last away defeat came in July.

The Red Bulls are winless in seven straight home games (D4 L3), which is their longest such run at home since 2004-05.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York Red Bulls - 26.2%

Draw - 23.5%

Columbus Crew - 50.3%

Greg Vanney will hope for a repeat of LA Galaxy's five-star victory in game one that represented “one of their best" performances to wrap up his MLS playoff clash with Colorado Rapids in two games.

Vanney’s tactical masterplan saw Galaxy triumph 5-0 at home as they restricted Colorado to just one shot and an expected goals (xG) total of 0.03 while accumulating 2.46 xG themselves.

The LA Galaxy boss made his name at Toronto FC, where he won the MLS Cup as well as three Eastern Conference playoff titles. When he resigned in 2020, it was Colorado’s Chris Armas who took up the mantle but did not fare as well.

Early indications of their meeting in the playoffs suggest Vanney is proving his knack for success remains and is winning the battle of the ex-Toronto bosses.

“I thought it was a very clean performance, and probably one of the best. I can't remember all 34 at this point, 35 now, but it was definitely one of the best ones, I think, and at a good time,” Vanney reflected on the performance post-match.

LA Galaxy had emerged victorious in both prior meetings this season, but neither time had they managed to keep a clean sheet. Yet in game one, Armas’ side struggled to even penetrate their box with just 10 touches inside it all game.

“[Vanney] has been great, and he has a lot of experience. This week was everything. In the playoffs, we need to set the tone and set the intensity. He did that right from, not just this week, but of course [because of] playoffs, training was intense,” said goalscorer John Nelson.

“Defensively, we needed to do that, and that's what he talked about the whole week. Like you saw tonight, we were relentless. We were fouling. We weren't giving them anything.

“So the whole week’s focus was to counter-press defensively, and we know we're going to score goals. We showed that tonight.”

Armas will need to find a way to beat his Toronto predecessor in a must-win game for his side at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, owing to the best-of-three playoff format.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

If the Rapids are to take the match back to LA Galaxy for a decider, they will need goals and Mihailovic will be crucial. He boasts the second-most goals scored for Colorado (11) in the MLS, only four behind top scorer Rafael Navarro.

He is also their top assister (10), meaning he has the most goal contributions on the squad (21). Distribution is clearly a strong point as he has more than double the number of key passes (87) than any other Rapids player – Cole Bassett comes closest on 35.

LA Galaxy - Dejan Joveljic

Galaxy's top scorer, Joveljic, has 17 goals in the MLS so far this season and has also delivered the lowest minutes per goal (118.6). He will surely hope to add to the tally when he travels to Colorado.

He was on target in game one as he and Riqui Puig each scored twice in Galaxy’s win over Colorado.

It makes them the third pair of Galaxy teammates to each score twice in a playoff game, along with Cobi Jones and Carlos Ruiz in 2002 and Carlos Hermosillo and Danny Pena in 1998.

MATCH PREDICTION – LA GALAXY WIN

Galaxy have won each of their three meetings with Colorado this season, including the 5-0 win in Game One on Saturday.

Prior to that, Galaxy had won only one of their 11 matches against the Rapids between 2018 and 2023 (D3 L7).

That 5-0 win was only the seventh win by a margin of at least five goals in MLS Cup playoff history. It was the third of those by Galaxy, who also beat Dallas, 6-1, in 1998 and defeated Real Salt Lake, 5-0, in 2014.

Colorado were held to just one shot in their 5-0 loss to Galaxy. It was the first time this century that the Rapids had only one shot in an MLS match, regular season or playoffs.

The hosts are a team out of form and have lost five straight matches dating back to the regular season, with two of those defeats coming against Galaxy.

Prior to this drought, however, the Rapids had lost just three of their previous 13 regular-season matches dating back to the middle of June (W9 D1).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 32.5%

Draw – 25.5%

LA Galaxy – 42.0%

Charlotte FC head into the “most important game in their history” with a chip on their shoulder, according to Dean Smith.

The Crown were defeated 2-0 away at Orlando City in game one of the playoffs and need a win in their first-ever home playoff match to keep their hopes of progress alive.

Smith was aggrieved after designated player (DP) Pep Biel was given his marching orders after 91 minutes for violent conduct and Charlotte’s appeal was rejected, leaving their forward suspended for the home encounter.

It is a situation that Smith hopes will galvanise his team and the home crowd alike, to get them over the line and set up a final decider back in Orlando.

“We’re excited for it, we’re looking forward to it. We feel aggrieved and I think the injustice that we as a team feel will make the club grow stronger,” he said.

“[Biel’s suspension] is a problem for our club because this is the biggest game in our history. We’re at home in front of our fans for a playoff game for the first time and we’ll be missing a DP.

“But we’ve done enough for me to know that we can hurt them, especially at home with our fans behind us.”

It is seemingly a consensus across the team that home advantage can provide the key to success against Orlando.

“It’s frustrating but, it could be over three games. They used their home advantage. It’s time for us to use ours on Friday. It’s a completely different game at the Bank,” said midfielder Ashley Westwood.

If Charlotte do manage to secure a win they’ll tie the series and set up a decider in Orlando, something Smith is not as keen about.

“The only problem in this result for us is that if we get the win as we want to do on Friday, we’ll have to be back at Orlando a week later,” he said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Kristijan Kahlina

Nominated for MLS goalkeeper of the season, he will be crucial in maintaining Charlotte’s impressive home defensive record. They kept an MLS-high nine home clean sheets during the 2024 regular season.

Going back to the end of last season, Charlotte have kept clean sheets in 12 of its last 20 home matches in all competitions.

Kahlina has played all 35 of Charlotte’s MLS matches so far this season and boasts a save percentage of 75.6%, having kept 12 clean sheets.

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

The striker was on form in game one of the play-offs, bagging a goal in Orlando’s 2-0 win. He is Orlando’s top scorer this season with 15 goals.

He has the second-best shot conversion rate at Orlando (28.8%), and his distribution is just as vital to the visitors, having made 46 key passes this season – the second most on the team.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE FC WIN

The only ever away win in the eight all-time meetings between Charlotte FC and Orlando City was a 2-1 win by the Lions on their first visit to Charlotte in August 2022.

Since then, Charlotte are unbeaten in three home matches against Orlando City (W1 D2).

The Crown have lost just three of their last 28 home matches in all competitions dating back to June 2023 (W13 D12), the fewest home defeats by any MLS team in all competitions in that time.

However, if anyone can get a result away at Charlotte, it’s Orlando. They have won five of their last seven away matches (L2), including winning the last three in a row.

The Lions have scored three goals in each of their last three away games, something no team has ever done in four straight MLS matches (incl. playoffs).

Orlando have got the better of Charlotte of late, unbeaten in their last four MLS matches (Wins: 2 Draws: 2 Losses: 0).

Charlotte are looking for their first league win in encounters between the two sides since March 2023. Orlando have outscored Charlotte 7-3 during their unbeaten streak.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 36.8%

Draw – 26.3%

Orlando City – 36.9%

Felipe Carballo's first MLS goal secured New York Red Bulls a 1-0 triumph over reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew in the first match of their best-of-three series.

Carballo, on loan from Brazilian side Gremio, netted the only goal of the game in the 25th minute, volleying the ball beyond Patrick Schulte at Lower.com Field. 

It marked the Red Bulls' first win over Columbus in the postseason, with the Crew having won their previous four playoff meetings before Tuesday. 

But the visitors were indebted to their goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, who made eight saves throughout the contest to put the Red Bulls one game up ahead of the second leg.

The Crew mustered 15 shots, with eight on target, accumulating an expected goals (xG) total of 0.77, though the Red Bulls managed a 0.85 xG with only three attempts on target.

In the other playoff game, Jefferson Diaz converted the decisive spot-kick for Minnesota United as they came out 5-4 victors in a penalty shootout against Real Salt Lake. 

Diaz slotted home his penalty before Braian Ojeda struck the woodwork with Salt Lake's final effort, putting the Loons a game up in their best-of-three series. 

In an evenly contested affair at America First Field, chances were aplenty, with Kelvin Yeboah and Cristian Arango squandering the best opportunities for their sides. 

Minnesota and Salt Lake tied three times in the regular season, and again could not be separated after 90 minutes. 

Both teams missed in the third round of the shootout as Minnesota captain Michael Boxall and Salt Lake's Justen Glad failed to convert from 12 yards. 

But the Loons held their nerve, earning a vital victory in the first postseason encounter between the two sides. 

Alex Roldan converted the decisive spot-kick for the Seattle Sounders as they came out 5-4 victors in a penalty shootout with the 10-man Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Roldan stepped up to slot home the winning penalty after a 0-0 draw on Monday, putting the Sounders a game up in the best-of-three series.

Adalberto Carrasquilla saw red for his part in a fracas midway through the second half at Lumen Field, where Erik Sviatchenko's miss in the shootout proved costly.

The Sounders were ultimately worthy winners, though, given they had 19 shots to Houston's seven, with the visitors failing to get a single attempt on target and mustering just 0.45 expected goals (xG) before penalties were required.

And Seattle held their nerve in the shootout, converting all five of their penalties.

In Monday's other playoff game, Yamil Asad grabbed FC Cincinnati's winner in a 1-0 victory over New York City FC.

Luciano Acosta, the 2023 MLS MVP, delivered a brilliant cross from which Asad headed home in the 51st minute.

Teenage Hadebe, Luca Orellano and Nicholas Gioacchini squandered chances to put Cincinnati 2-0 up, but NYCFC could not make their luck count, and their frustration was compounded when Tayvon Gray was dismissed for a flailing arm into Acosta's face.

Acosta was excellent throughout, creating seven chances in total and having four shots.

He has now recorded 14 goal contributions in his career against NYCFC (six goals, eight assists).

"I knew [Acosta] was going to play the ball to me," Asad said. "It's too easy to play with him. He's our MVP, he played a great game."

Eric Ramsay has backed Kelvin Yeboah to be Minnesota United’s “main man” as they prepare for the first game of their best-of-three series against Real Salt Lake in the MLS playoffs.

Yeboah arrived from Serie A side Genoa in August, and has made an instant impact for the Loons, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in nine league outings.

The 24-year-old’s 0.89 goals per 90 minutes ranks fourth in MLS, and his head coach, Ramsay, believes he can play a starring role for his side in the postseason.

“He is coming here as a marquee player,” Ramsay said. “He’s our big threat. He is our main man at the top of the pitch at the moment, so with that comes a certain amount of pressure that you imagine the top players have had to deal with their whole career.

“His life is going to be more difficult in front of goal than it was in the early stages because I feel like he caught a few teams by surprise. I think now everyone knows the threat that he poses.”

Minnesota ended their regular season with a 4-1 thrashing of St. Louis City, though Ramsey said there were still areas for improvement ahead of travelling to America First Field.

“As the season has gone on, we are more established from the perspective of general principles of play. I’m trying to make sure we are homing in on individual details.”

Salt Lake, meanwhile, come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, with the victory setting a new all-time single-season points record (59).

Pablo Mastroeni’s side are also on a six-game unbeaten run, though the Claret and Cobalt boss highlighted the importance of the home supporters for their fixture with the Loons.

“The focus is really being more dangerous with our possession,” Mastroeni said.

“We’re working on the mindset, which is to be aggressive, the tactical piece, which is the positioning to be aggressive, and then the overall understanding of how to get balls in the box to threaten their backline.

“It’s been a fantastic year of support, really. I think this is a great opportunity for fans and the team alike to really come together and be that 12th man that really boosts this group forward.

“Because it’s going to be the most important game of our season, and I know for sure that the fans will show up.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango set a single-season Salt Lake club record with 29 goal contributions in 2024 (17 goals, 12 assists).

He has, however, recorded just two goal contributions in his last 11 matches after recording 27 in his first 19 games of the season, and he will be hoping to return to form against Minnesota.

Minnesota United – Robin Lod

Lod notched 20 regular season goal contributions for Minnesota this term (seven goals, 13 assists), five more than any of his team-mates.

The Finland international has also enjoyed recent meetings with Salt Lake. He has scored three times in his nine appearances against them, only scoring more against Houston Dynamo (four) in the MLS.

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

This will be the first postseason meeting between Salt Lake and Minnesota. More than half (nine) of the 17 all-time meetings between the sides have ended in draws, including each of the last four (Minnesota W5, Salt Lake W3).

The Claret and Cobalt have advanced in all six playoff ties in which they have won a match at home but have also been eliminated in all six playoff ties in which they played at home but failed to win (D4 L2).

This week’s hosts also have only one home playoff win since 2014 (D3 L0), a 2-1 win over Portland Timbers in the 2019 First Round.

But it is new territory for Minnesota. This will be their first multi-leg playoff series after playing six previous single-leg knockout ties (W2, D1, eliminated on penalties, L3). The Loons have scored at least once in all six of its previous postseason games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 48.6%

Draw – 25.8%

Minnesota United – 25.6%

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino believes Lionel Messi is still "the best in the world", despite backing Vinicius Junior to scoop the Ballon d'Or. 

Messi claimed the award for a record-extending eighth time last year after leading Argentina to their third World Cup crown in Qatar during the 2022-23 voting period, but he has not been nominated this year.

But that saw the Inter Miami boss question the criteria for the Ballon d'Or this time around, having seen first-hand the 37-year-old's impact in the MLS this season. 

Messi led the Herons to a record points haul in the Eastern Conference, while also notching 20 goals and 10 assists in 19 league games. 

The Argentine recorded another assist in Miami's 2-1 win over Atlanta United in the first game of their best-of-three series in the playoffs. 

He now has a division-high 31 goal involvements so far this term, though five players are only one behind him, including team-mate Luis Suarez. 

Messi also broke the record for the most assists in a single MLS game with five assists, while also scoring a brace to clinch the Supporters' Shield, the 46th trophy of his career. 

However, Martino acknowledged the impressive season Vinicius had at Real Madrid, with the Brazilian starring in Los Blancos' LaLiga and Champions League successes.

Vinicius scored 24 goals and added 11 assists in all competitions last term, and Martino said he would be a worthy winner of football's most prestigious individual accolade.

"It [the Ballon d'Or] has never been something that caught my attention, nor was it clear to me whether the award is for the best in the world or of the year," Martino said.

"Vinicius Junior probably has the merit [of being the best last season], although if you ask me who is the best right now, it's Messi."

However, reports ahead of the ceremony suggested Madrid cancelled plans to attend after learning Vinicius had not won the award. 

It is believed that Manchester City's Rodri has emerged victorious after winning the Premier League title and leading Spain to the European Championship crown. 

Should the 28-year-old win the trophy, he would become the first Spaniard to win the award since Barcelona's Luis Suarez back in 1960. 

Rodri would also be the first player to win the Ballon d'Or while playing for an English club since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008, when he was turning out for Manchester United.

Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera were on target as Los Angeles FC edged out the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on Sunday.

LAFC, the 2022 MLS Cup champions, will book their place in the next round should they win north of the border next week.

Ryan Gauld netted in the 94th minute for the Whitecaps, but it was too little, too late for the Canadian side, who hammered the Portland Timbers in the wildcard round.

LAFC have now won seven straight playoff games against Western Conference opponents, while Bouanga has netted eight goals in nine postseason appearances.

Hugo Lloris, however, says LAFC must sharpen up.

"The performance is not [good] enough, but we got the result so that's the most important thing," Lloris said.

"We need to increase [our levels] if we want to have ambition. A win is a win, so that's positive, but there were things we need to fix if we are to improve."

Elsewhere, Orlando City also made a winning start to their playoff campaign as they beat Charlotte FC 2-0.

Facundo Torres put Orlando ahead in the 32nd minute at Inter&Co Stadium, with Martin Ojeda doubling the hosts' tally 14 minutes from time.

A frustrating day for Dean Smith's Charlotte team was compounded when Pep Biel was sent off late on, though they will at least have home advantage when they look to turn the best-of-three series around next time out.

Emil Forsberg believes the New York Red Bulls have the capacity to hurt the Columbus Crew in Game 1 of their MLS playoff tie, despite a poor end to the regular season.

The Red Bulls finished seventh in the Eastern Conference despite only winning one of 10 matches after the Leagues Cup break, finishing their campaign with a 3-2 defeat at home to the Crew, in which Forsberg scored.

They will now face the MLS Cup holders again in a three-match first-round series, and Forsberg believes they have shown they can get at Wilfried Nancy's champions.

"I think we were dangerous, we hurt them, we created chances and we showed them and ourselves what we can do when we play with that kind of intensity," Forsberg said.

"We're a really good team when we can do that, and we know we can hurt them. We have a lot to take with us into the playoffs.

"When it comes to the playoffs, it's small details, whether you have your day or not, whether you're mentally prepared for every situation that can occur.

"That's something I'm going to push with the guys."

Nancy, meanwhile, was pleased to see Columbus tested in their final regular-season game, as New York recovered from 2-0 down to level before Malte Andersen hit a last-gasp winner.

"Yeah, we had many highs, and after that, we had 10 minutes where we allowed New York to play their style, and they did it well," Nancy said after the match. 

"I'm happy that it happened, to be honest with you, because we played a really good first half. After that, the second half was also interesting. 

"This is perfect because sometimes we have to feel certain things to get better. We found a way to win the game, and this is also good for team spirit."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez

Hernandez's assist against the Red Bulls last week was his 32nd goal contribution of 2024 (19 goals, 13 assists), breaking Stern John's Crew record of 31 set in 1998. 

The forward has five goal contributions against New York (two goals, three assists), only totalling more against Atlanta (eight) and Orlando (seven).

New York Red Bulls – Emil Forsberg

Forsberg scored both of the Red Bulls' goals in their 3-2 defeat to the Crew on Decision Day, and only Lewis Morgan (13) has bettered his nine strikes for the team in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION – COLUMBUS CREW WIN

The Red Bulls won just 18 points from their final 18 regular-season matches of 2024 (three wins, nine draws, six defeats). 

They were one of nine teams to collect 20 points or fewer since that run began in early June, but the only one of those nine sides to make the playoffs.

Having lost 3-2 to the Crew in their last game, they approach this one as major outsiders. The Red Bulls have lost each of their last six away playoff matches dating back to 2018, being outscored 15-5 in those matches. 

The Crew, meanwhile, have won the MLS Cup in each of the last two seasons in which they made the playoffs (2020, 2023), advancing from eight consecutive playoff ties. This equals the best such run in MLS history, after D.C. United won eight straight ties from 1996 to 1998.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Columbus Crew – 64.3%

New York Red Bulls – 16.6%

Draw – 19.1%

The LA Galaxy thrashed the Colorado Rapids 5-0 in their MLS playoff opener, with Dejan Loveljic and Riqui Puig scoring twice each.

In Saturday's first contest of a best-of-three series, the Galaxy, who finished second behind Los Angeles FC in the Western Conference, made light work of the Rapids.

Loveljic opened the scoring in the 32nd minute at Dignity Health Sports Park, heading in from Puig's corner.

John Nelson coolly put Galaxy 2-0 up early in the second half, with Puig grabbing his first two minutes later to put them out of sight, with Loveljic the provider on that occasion.

Loveljic doubled up when he finished from a rebounded attempt by Gabriel Pec, who subsequently turned provider for Puig to slot in a fifth late on.

The Rapids must now beat the Galaxy next week if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

Data Debrief: Home comforts

The Galaxy have now won 31 of their 37 all-time home playoff matches, including the last 10 in a row.

Indeed, the Galaxy have not lost a home playoff game since a 1-0 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2012.

The Rapids, meanwhile, have lost their last eight away postseason matches, scoring just three goals in those games. 

Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba handed Inter Miami a winning start to their MLS playoff campaign, with their goals helping down Atlanta United 2-1 at the Chase Stadium. 

After already winning the Supporters' Shield and setting a new MLS single-season points record, the Herons took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series ahead of Game Two.

The hosts needed just over a minute to take the lead when Diego Gomez picked out Suarez, who prodded the ball beyond Brad Guzan early on. 

David Martinez then saw his effort strike the woodwork, but Miami were unable to make their sustained spell of pressure count as visiting forward Saba Lobjanidze levelled the contest in the 39th minute. 

But the hosts restored their advantage just before the hour-mark when Lionel Messi picked out Alba, who struck a fierce effort from distance which proved to be the winner. 

Miami should have had a more comfortable advantage, but were met with the imposing figure of Guzan, who made nine saves during the contest to keep the hosts at bay.

Data Debrief: Welcome to Miami

Having topped the Eastern Conference with 74 points, Miami are expected to reach the showpiece match, and their display proved why they were one of the best teams in the MLS during the regular season. 

The hosts ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 3.38 from their 22 shots, 12 of which were on target and 14 of their efforts were inside the Atlanta box. 

And though not getting himself on the scoresheet, Messi once again showcased his class. The Argentine registered a team-high 1.26 xG to Inter Miami's total, while also recording more shots on target (five), more touches in the opposition box (13) and creating more chances (five) than anyone on the pitch.