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. 

Brian Schmetzer is aiming to write more history with the Seattle Sounders in the MLS playoffs after signing a new multi-year contract extension with the club earlier this week.  

Schmetzer, who took charge of the Sounders in 2016, has won 149 of his 321 matches at the helm in all competitions (D70 L102), and has led the club to two MLS Cup titles and two other appearances in the finals.

They welcome Houston Dynamo to Lumen Field in their first-round playoff tie, and Schmetzer insists the good work his side have done so far will not stop in the postseason.

“I’m thrilled to continue this journey with Sounders FC, a community and club that mean so much to me,” said Schmetzer. “Seattle is my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be working.

“We’ve built something special here together, and I’m excited to keep pushing for more success alongside our passionate fans, exceptional staff and outstanding players. The work will not stop – we have many goals to achieve and more history to write.

“Doing it at a club during a time of such great opportunity in the city I love makes it even more meaningful.”

Houston, meanwhile, ended their regular season on a high with an impressive victory over the LA Galaxy, subsequently seeing Greg Vanney’s side drop to second in the Western Conference.

The Dynamo faced off against the Sounders in September, losing 1-0 in the MLS, but coach Ben Olsen believes his team’s latest triumph can be used as positive momentum moving forward.

“Those are the great nights, those are the ones you remember,” Olsen said. “It had a playoff atmosphere; it was a great dress rehearsal for the playoffs because we’re playing a talented team.

“We wanted to win that game, but the other side was to get some rhythm and form because it’s been choppy over the last month. That, for me, was the most important thing.

“We needed to get those minutes together before going to Seattle. Overall, it was pretty good, but there is still a lot to clean up before we travel there on Tuesday.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Rusnak recorded 16 assists in the 2024 regular season, equalling Nicolas Lodeiro’s club record for the Sounders set in 2018.

He recorded primary assists to eight different teammates this season, tied for the most different teammates directly assisted to this MLS campaign.

Houston Dynamo – Amine Bassi

While Houston were the third-lowest scorers in the Western Conference, the creative flair of Bassi has been pivotal in reaching the postseason.

The Moroccan has the joint-highest goal involvements for the Dynamo this term (10, level with Ibrahim Aliyu), while he has also created more chances (78) than any of his team-mates during the regular season.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

This will be the third postseason tie between Seattle and Houston, with the Dynamo advancing in the 2019 Conference semi-final and Seattle advancing in the 2017 Conference Finals. The Sounders have never lost in 17 all-time home matches against Houston (W14 D3), winning the last eight in a row.

The Dynamo have also avoided defeat in nine away playoff matches in club history (W5 D4), advancing to the next round in eight of the last nine ties, only losing out against the New York Red Bulls in the 2008 Conference semi-finals. Houston have been eliminated each of the last four times they have lost on the road in the playoffs.

Seattle’s 1-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in last season’s Western Conference semi-final ended a run of 19 straight home playoff matches without defeat (W17 D2) that spanned back to the 2014 postseason. Seattle have lost only three of their 27 all-time home playoff matches (W20 D4).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 49.6%

Draw – 25.4%

Houston Dynamo – 25%

Nick Cushing is relishing the “underdog” title put on his New York City FC side as they prepare for their first-round playoff tie against FC Cincinnati.

The Pigeons finished the regular season with a 2-0 defeat to CF Montreal but had already confirmed their spot in the postseason with an impressive victory over rivals, New York Red Bulls.

Cushing acknowledged his side could have finished further up the Eastern Conference rankings, but said his team have shown positive signs they can compete in the playoffs.

“Whether we are the underdog or not, we always fancy ourselves,” Cushing said. “I have huge belief in every guy in that dressing room, and they have huge belief in each other.

“We’ve had some disappointing results and that’s why we sit where we do in the league. The most consistent teams are at the top, but we have also shown a positive reaction to those difficult results.

“For us, it’s about taking the positives. We have always done that. We have always faced up to the areas we need to improve and have always fronted the disappointment.

“We’ve had some top games against Cincinnati, and we’re confident we can put performances in, and we’re motivated for the end.”

Cincinnati, meanwhile, ended the season third in the division, finishing their campaign on a high with a triumph over the Philadelphia Union away from home.

The Orange and Blue have struggled for continuity within their squad in the regular season, with coach Pat Noonan forced to play 42 different line-ups in all 42 matches across all competitions.

Noonan deployed winger Luca Orellano, who has been shortlisted for MLS Newcomer of the Year, as a striker, with the Argentine impressing in that role.

And the Cincinnati boss believes that Orellano can make an impact in a more central role, but said improvements were needed for the visit of NYCFC.

“Yeah, there was a bit of risk in that," Noonan said of starting a player in a new position in such an important matchup. 

"If you're looking at our goal threats, as far as personnel and who's contributed pretty consistently, it's been the three that were up top today, with Lucho, Yuya and Luca.

"There were still a few moments where I think he could have been more patient. But, for having not played in that specific role up to this point, I thought he did a good job."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

Acosta has been the standout player for Cincinnati during the regular season, with his 30 goal contributions in the MLS the highest in the division (level with Lionel Messi and Evander).

He has recorded 13 goal contributions in his career against NYCFC (six goals, seven assists), including contributing to eight goals in his last five MLS matches against the Pigeons (four goals, four assists), contributing to at least one goal in each of those games.

NYCFC – Alonso Martinez

Martinez has scored eight goals in nine appearances since the MLS returned from the Leagues Cup break in August, tied with Messi and Luis Suarez for the most goals in the league in that time.

The Costa Rican has scored one goal against Cincinnati in his three appearances against them, but has only won one match against the Orange and Blue (L2).

MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN

This will be the first postseason meeting between Cincinnati and NYCFC. The Pigeons defeated Cincinnati in the last meeting between the two sides, after the Orange and Blue had won the previous five fixtures in all competitions.

Despite being favoured by Opta’s data-led simulations, Noonan’s side won only one of their final six regular-season home matches (D1 L4), including losing the last two in a row at TQL Stadium. Cincinnati had lost six of their previous 39 home league games before losing four of the last six.

But NYCFC have struggled away from home. They won only one of their final 13 away matches in all competitions (D6 L6) dating back to June. That run included a 4-2 loss against Cincinnati in the group stage of the Leagues Cup in August.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Cincinnati – 46.9%

Draw – 26.4%

NYCFC – 26.7%

Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream says it is business as usual for Dean Smith's team as they approach Sunday's MLS Cup Playoff clash with Orlando City.

Charlotte went unbeaten through their final five games of the regular season to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference, while Orlando finished one point clear of them in fourth.

They visit Florida for the opening match of a three-game first-round series on Sunday, having ended a six-match winless run on the road by trouncing D.C. United 3-0 last week.

Former Fulham captain Ream, who has played a key role since returning to the United States in August, says nothing will change about their work in training ahead of the game.

"We're just going about it in the same way we have been doing in the last couple of weeks, doing the right things in training," Ream said.

"We have to make sure we take that into the game this weekend.

"I was expecting to come in and push myself and push the other guys around me from the get-go. It doesn't always work that way but I'm very pleased with where we are."

Orlando, meanwhile, are appearing in the postseason for a fifth straight year, and forward Duncan McGuire has enjoyed being part of a fluid attack under Oscar Pareja this term.

"I'm very excited to get to the playoffs. I think the way we've shown ourselves on the field in the past few months, it's a really good brand of football that I'm excited to be part of," McGuire said.

"The way we finished the season, locking in fourth place, is huge for us, and then we're very excited to host games, which helped us in the first round last year.

"We're very excited to get to Sunday, getting a bunch of numbers forward has allowed us to be successful offensively, having so many goalscorers across this team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres has been involved in five of the 10 goals Orlando have scored against Charlotte (three goals, two assists against them), including recording two goals and an assist in the two meetings between the sides this season.

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

Agyemang's goal last Saturday took him to 16 goal contributions for the season (10 goals, six assists), equalling Karol Swiderski (2022 and 2023) for the most in a single campaign in Charlotte's MLS history. 

No other player in team history has ever recorded 10 goal contributions in a single campaign.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando ended a four-match winless run against Charlotte (two draws, two defeats) with a 2-0 victory in the last meeting between the sides on September 18. That win was the first of the sides' seven all-time meetings to be decided by more than a one-goal margin.

While Charlotte collected 13 points from their last five matches of the regular season, their best return in any five-game span in their MLS history, the Lions enter this one as favourites.

After missing the playoffs in each of their first five MLS seasons, Orlando have reached the postseason in five straight campaigns dating back to 2020, and their big-game experience could be key here.

They have won six of their last eight home matches in MLS play, drawing one and losing one, with five of those victories coming by a margin of more than one goal. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 52%

Charlotte FC – 23.5%

Draw – 24.5%

Steve Cherundolo believes Los Angeles FC's home fans can play a decisive role in the MLS Cup Playoffs as last season's runners-up prepare to host the Vancouver Whitecaps.

LAFC sealed the Western Conference's top seed in dramatic fashion last week, pipping the LA Galaxy after their cross-city rivals suffered a last-gasp defeat to the Houston Dynamo.

Cherundolo's men – who were beaten by the Columbus Crew in last season's MLS Cup final – play host to wild-card side Vancouver in the opener of a three-match series on Sunday, and he believes home advantage could be key.

"We are always really focused on the next play and doing our jobs, and our jobs are to win games, to collect points and to be there if the other teams slip up," Cherundolo said.

"That's what happened, and when you do stay close to teams and don't let them run away with it, the pressure can mount up."

Touching on the impact of playing at home, he added: "Our crowd is like nothing else I've seen live in LA, it's pure passion, it's electrifying and it really has the ability to make our players better. 

"We're trying to make memories and the fans are integral part of that. For us to be able to make another long or deep run in the playoffs, we need them."

Vancouver reached this stage by trouncing the Portland Timbers 5-0 in the wild-card round, equalling the second-largest margin of victory in playoff history.

"Everything went in our direction, it was possible because of the work rate of everyone," head coach Vanni Sartini said, reflecting on that comprehensive road win.

"Hopefully from now on it's going to be about improving and getting the team in that rhythm.

"Playing in LA is always really hard so we have a goal as a team to go there and be in their face and be aggressive, because we have a second chance even if it doesn't go well."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga 

Bouanga has scored seven goals in eight appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

His figure of 0.84 goals per 90 minutes in the postseason is the second-best of any player that has played 500 or more playoff minutes in MLS history (Carlos Ruiz – 0.87).

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld 

Gauld scored the seventh hat-trick in MLS playoff history against Portland on Wednesday and the first by a Whitecaps player. 

It marked the second hat-trick by a Whitecaps player against a Cascadia rival in an MLS match (including playoffs) after Kekuta Manneh scored three for Vancouver against the Seattle Sounders in October 2013.

MATCH PREDICTION – LOS ANGELES FC WIN

This will be the third knockout tie between Los Angeles and Vancouver with LAFC sweeping each of the previous two. 

LAFC won both legs by a combined scoreline of 6-0 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League before eliminating the Whitecaps in two games in the first round of last year's playoffs.

The hosts have also won six straight playoff matches against Western Conference opponents, outscoring them 15-5 en route to the last two MLS Cup Finals. 

The only longer in-conference playoff winning streak in MLS history (excluding breakaway shootout wins) was a seven-match run by Seattle between 2018 and 2020.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Los Angeles FC – 64.1%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 16.7%

Draw – 19.2%

Greg Vanney says the LA Galaxy's failure to top the Western Conference was a reminder that "every play is precious" as they prepare for their first-round playoff tie against the Colorado Rapids.

The Galaxy suffered a last-gasp defeat to the Houston Dynamo on the final matchday of the regular season, allowing cross-city rivals Los Angeles FC to pip them to the West's top seed.

Vanney's team are now gearing up to host Colorado in Game 1 of a three-match first-round series, and the Galaxy coach says they must work to be on the right side of the fine margins.

"Obviously Colorado had a couple of little knocks near the end of the season, which from their perspective I'm sure they never really wanted," Vanney said.

"But we just have to prepare ourselves for whatever we might see and be the best version of us. 

"The result in Houston was a reminder that every play matters and every play can be the difference in a championship, winning the West or being out of the playoffs quickly.

"So that's what we can take away from Houston, the reminder that every play is precious when it comes to this time of year."

The Rapids, meanwhile, only just held onto an automatic playoff spot after ending the regular season with four straight losses – the latest a 3-2 defeat at Austin FC.

"We'll take many things from it heading into the playoffs, but there are also good things in there," head coach Chris Armas said of that loss.

"The way we started the game, there was a good energy, a real focus and intensity to what we were trying to do. 

"Overall, I think we had discipline and control, where in other games recently we were vulnerable in transition, so for the most part in areas where we wanted to get better, we did."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Galaxy trio Pec (16), Dejan Joveljic (15), Riqui Puig (13) and Joseph Paintsil (10) are the first set of four team-mates to all score at least 10 goals in a single regular season in MLS history. 

Pec (16 goals, 14 assists) is the fourth Galaxy player to record 30 goal contributions in a single season, meanwhile.

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic 

Mihailovic tied the Rapids' single-season club record with 23 goal contributions in 2024 (11 goals, 12 assists) while team-mate Rafael Navarro had 19 (15 goals, 4 assists). 

Only one Rapids player posted 19 or more goal contributions in a single season from 2011 to 2023 (Diego Rubio – 23 in 2022).

MATCH PREDICTION – LA GALAXY 

This will be the sixth playoff tie between the Galaxy and Rapids with LA advancing from each of the first four before the Rapids progressed from the most recent meeting in 2016. 

The Galaxy have won three of their four home playoff matches against Colorado (one draw), keeping a clean sheet in all four games.

The Galaxy have also won 30 of their 36 all-time home playoff matches (three draws, including a breakaway shootout loss, three defeats) including their last nine in a row. 

LA have not lost a home playoff game in 12 years, since a 1-0 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2012 Western Conference semifinals, and they approach Game 1 as favourites. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 56.2%

Colorado Rapids – 21.1% 

Draw – 22.6%

Ryan Gauld scored a hat-trick to help Vancouver Whitecaps thrash Portland Timbers 5-0 in the Western Conference Wild Card match.

Brian White and Stuart Armstrong also got in on the goals as the Whitecaps set up a meeting with top seed Los Angeles FC in the Best-of-3 First Round.

Most of the damage was done by three goals in 11 first-half minutes, with Gauld opening the scoring by capitalising on a goalmouth scramble on 20 minutes.

Mathias Loborda created the second with a lovely bit of skill, setting up White for a first-time finish, before Gauld scored a sumptuous volley, giving James Pantemis no chance.

While Portland offered some fight at the end of the first half, they could not keep their momentum in the second, with Armstrong’s diving header just six minutes after the restart putting Vancouver out of reach.

Gauld then wrapped up his hat-trick just before the hour mark, peeling off the back of the Timbers’ backline to slot his low finish past Pantemis from a tight angle.

Data Debrief: Five-star Whitecaps back on track

Vancouver booked their playoff spot early, but slumped over the line at the end of the season, going winless in their last seven outings in the regular season and losing the last four.

Vanni Sartini could not have asked his players to rekindle their form at a better time though, getting the better of their Cascadia Cup rivals for the first time since March.

Despite losing their home advantage due to scheduling clashes, Vancouver looked at home at Providence Park. They matched Portland's 12 shots, but got eight on target and accumulated 2.38 expected goals (xG).

Gauld was responsible for four of those efforts, hitting the target with each one. He also had the most touches in the opposition box (eight) and made the most passes in the final third (17) among his team-mates.

Rob Valentino is delighted Atlanta United have hit their stride in time for the MLS playoffs and is relishing their Best-of-3 Round One clash with Inter Miami at Chase Stadium.

The Five Stripes overturned the odds on Decision Day to snag a place in the Eastern Conference Wild Card round.

They took a 2-0 lead over CF Montreal before former player Josef Martinez pegged them back to force spot-kicks. Brad Guzan saved one, setting up Saba Lobjanidze to score the winner.

A tough test now awaits them in Miami on Friday, but Valentino is sure they can come up with a plan to get the better of Lionel Messi and co.

"We have worked so hard this season, every training, every game," he said. "Now we're starting to succeed, and it's the best timing in the end of the season to show that. Three in a row is very good! Let's continue!

"I think every time a team plays them, [how to stop Messi is] the question that is asked, right? He's arguably the best player that's ever played.

"We've faced him a few times and we know obviously his qualities. But they've got other players that are good, too. So there has to be a focus on him and also these teammates around him.

"We'll just show up when the game is there, and we'll go to win it."

Meanwhile, Miami, who are playing their first home playoff game, finished the regular season in record-breaking fashion, with their 6-2 victory over New England Revolution taking them to 74 points.

The Supporters' Shield winners are on an 11-match unbeaten streak coming into this match, and head coach Gerardo Martino believes their strong finish will benefit them in the playoffs.

"[The record points total] gives our team an injection of confidence," said Martino.

"These 74 points is not something we aimed for at the start of the year, but as soon as it was within reach, we tried to get it and we did it. It's a triumph for the whole Inter Miami family."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi was involved in 1.82 direct goal contributions per 90 minutes this season, his highest rate in a league season in over a decade.

His 11-minute hat-trick off the bench against New England last time out took him to 20 goals for the campaign, adding to his 10 assists, and he is bound to be a threat in the playoffs.

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

Lobjanidze has come up with big goals throughout the season for Atlanta, but none more so than his match-winning penalty against Montreal on Tuesday.

Though that does not count towards his nine-goal haul for the season, he was still a threat in the Wild Card match, having three shots, two of which were on target, while he also had the most touches in the box among his team-mates (eight).

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

After a resounding end to the season, Miami are unsurprisingly favourites to win the first of the Best-of-3 series, but they have stumbled when coming up against Atlanta as of late, drawing their most recent meeting after two straight defeats.

They lost just twice at Chase Stadium in the regular season (W11 D4), with the most recent of those a 3-1 defeat to the Five Stripes back in May, though they are unbeaten in their eight such matches since.

It is just the second time that Miami have made the playoffs – their only previous playoff match was a 3-0 defeat on the road at New York City FC in Round One in 2022.

Meanwhile, Atlanta are making their fifth appearance in the playoffs. They won the MLS Cup back in 2018, but in their two most recent appearances in the postseason, they have failed to get past Round One, losing to Columbus Crew.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 62.7%

Draw – 19.8%

Atlanta United – 17.5%

Atlanta United will play Inter Miami in the MLS playoffs after edging past CF Montreal on penalties in an enthralling encounter at the Stade Saputo. 

Atlanta won only their second away playoff game in club history and the first since 2018. They will start a best-of-three series on Friday against Lionel Messi's Miami. 

The visitors took the lead in the 29th minute when Brooks Lennon nodded Pedro Amador's cross beyond Jonathan Sirois, before Stian Gregersen doubled their tally a minute before the interval. 

But Montreal responded after the break, as Josef Martinez reduced the deficit just after the hour-mark against his former employers.

Martinez notched his second, this time from the penalty spot, in the 89th minute after Lennon was brought down by Kwadwo Opoku, with the Venezuelan scoring his eighth goal in six games. 

The winner would be decided on penalties, as Tom Pearce's spot-kick proved decisive with his effort saved by Brad Guzan. That left Saba Lobjanidze to send Atlanta through. 

Data Debrief: No Five Stripes joy for Martinez

It proved to be a gut-wrenching end to the season for Montreal, having ended the contest with more shots (15), more shots on target (seven) and a higher expected goals (xG) tally (1.57) than Atlanta. 

It was even more heartbreaking for Martinez, who almost dealt his former side a hammer blow to their hopes of continuing in the post-season. 

He ended the encounter by having all of Montreal's shots on target, while also registering the most touches in the opposition box (nine) than any other player on the pitch. 

Vanni Sartini says he has hope as Vancouver Whitecaps look to end their recent losing run against Portland Timbers in the MLS playoffs Western Conference Wild Card match.

The Whitecaps finished eighth in the table, only above Wednesday's opponents having secured more wins, but due to scheduling conflicts, will not have home advantage for this tie. 

It is a disappointment to the club, who failed to win any of their last seven matches in the regular season, losing their last four on the bounce.

However, Sartini took heart from their playoff qualification and is confident his team can get back to winning ways in a game with so much resting on it.

"We need to be honest with each other," he told reporters. "We were honest when we had bad performances against Minnesota and Seattle, but the performances in the last two games were good.

"There were some moments [against Real Salt Lake] that make me really optimistic for Wednesday.

"Everything is not black now. It's a playoff game, everybody's happy to be in the playoffs, we're not moody. It will be a good game to turn up and play a good game against them."

Portland also slumped over the line at the end of the regular season, failing to win any of their last five, and failed to snatch a win at 10-man Seattle Sounders in a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

They have not won at Providence Park since mid-September, and head coach Phil Neville is looking for improvements among his front line to get the better of their rivals.

"The front six, four in particular, have to do better for us," he said. "It falls on all of them to get us through the playoffs.

"Their effort is unbelievable, as is the concentration and discipline, but we need them to deliver in these big moments.

"Our forwards have been phenomenal this season, but they've got the challenge of working around the pressure, and the big players always step up, and we believe that ours can."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Isaac Boehmer

The Whitecaps lost their final four matches of the regular season and will be the first team in MLS history to enter the playoffs on a four-match outright losing streak.

In that run, Isaac Boehmer conceded eight goals and scored an own goal that turned out to be the winner against Real Salt Lake last time out. He will be keen to put things right when they face Portland on Wednesday.

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander recorded an assist on Portland's lone goal in their season finale, his 18th of the season to go along with 15 goals.

Evander's 18 assists and 33 goal contributions are both Timbers single-season club records, surpassing Diego Valeri’s assist total from 2019 (16) and goal contribution total from 2017 (32).

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

This will be the second MLS playoff tie between Portland and Vancouver after the Timbers defeated the Whitecaps 2-0 on aggregate in the 2015 Conference Semifinals.

Overall, the eight meetings since the start of the 2022 season have been split, with each side winning three times and drawing twice.

The Whitecaps are only narrow favourites to win this game and have been eliminated in six of their previous seven MLS Cup playoff ties, only advancing past San Jose Earthquakes with a 5-0 win in the 2017 First Round. Vancouver have scored five total goals in their other nine all-time MLS playoff matches.

Meanwhile, Portland have not lost any of their five one-leg playoff matches at Providence Park (W2 D3), though they were eliminated on penalties twice after draws in those matches. The Timbers failed to score in their last two home matches this season, their first back-to-back scoreless games at the venue since 2019.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 39.9%

Draw – 26.6%

Portland Timbers – 33.5%