The top teams continue to fall in the MLS Cup playoffs where anything has been possible. While Saturday brought no surprises on the level of Atlanta United eliminating Inter Miami, the Seattle Sounders defeated the Western Conference’s top-ranked team, Los Angeles FC, while the New York Red Bulls won the Hudson River Derby, which had had to take place in a different baseball stadium than usual, beating New York City FC.
Seattle’s game had to last a full 120 minutes after Ryan Hollingshead’s 50th-minute goal was canceled out by a Maxime Chanot own goal. It was a botched clearance by the 35-year-old defender to beat his own goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but it was enough to keep the Sounders in the clash. They would make up for it with Jordan Morris’ goal in the 109th minute of play to take a definitive lead and now face the winner of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Minnesota United. But what a goal it was for Morris as he showed excellent body control to carry the ball into the box and pass to Lloris for the eventual winner.
The playoffs have historically been when the Sounders get hot under Brian Schmetzer and they’re doing it again when it matters most.
The New York Red Bulls have also taken an improbable path so far in the playoffs and will also play at least one more game. There was a little less drama with Filipe Carballo and Dante Vanzeir scoring in the first half to give the Red Bulls a two-goal half-time lead, but Carlos Coronel made seven saves to keep the magic going. Already eliminating Columbus Crew and NYCFC, facing the winner of Orlando City SC and Atlanta United will seem like a slightly easier game for the Red Bulls, but they can’t let it be a moment that causes them to lose concentration either.
The Los Angeles Galaxy are now the only top three seeds left in the MLS playoffs and whatever happens after these shocking upsets left and right, an unlikely champion will be named who will prove that parity is alive and well in the MLS this season.
