GOAL divides the 14 playoff teams into four tiers to assess what to expect in the postseason
There is perhaps no more purely unpredictable disaster of a soccer tournament on planet Earth than the MLS Playoffs.
Every year, teams assemble after surviving a grind of a regular season which should give us a pretty good idea of where teams stand. And, ever year, it all rapidly turns into complete chaos as contenders drop like flies in games that descend rapidly into madness.
It's one of the most lovable things about soccer in this part of the world, the unpredictability of it all. As big clubs continue to dominate in Europe, there's something special about what goes on in MLS, where nothing matters except which team can get hot at the right time.
Because of that, predicting winners and losers is never an easy task, but we can assess what to expect from the 14 teams that make up this season's playoff participants.
Here's a look at each team's outlook heading in the postseason:
Victor Decolongon / Getty ImagesThe tiers
To give a better picture of where each team stands, we'll be dividing them into four easily- understandable tiers.
Tier 1: Championship or bust. We all know what this means. If this team fails to win MLS Cup, everyone involved will be very disappointed.
Tier 2: Got a shot. Teams that have a realistic chance of making a run and could theoretically lift the trophy at the end of all of this madness.
Tier 3: Could make a run. Probably not MLS Cup contenders, but they could certainly take one out at some point.
Tier 4: Good luck. Hey, they made it this far. A win would be fantastic, but just making the playoffs is a victory.
AdvertisementLAFCLAFC
When you put together a roster like LAFC's, there can only ever be one expectation.
LAFC have essentially assembled the Avengers in Hollywood, somehow skirting salary cap rules to bring in megastars for one big playoff push. Gareth Bale, Giorgio Chiellini and Christian Tello joined on relatively cheap deals, joining a team that was already loaded with starpower. Then, just for good measure, they brought in another Designed Player, Denis Bouanga, to join Carlos Vela and co. in the attack.
It's an absolutely sickening amount of talent for an MLS squad and LAFC, as expected, marched right to a Supporters' Shield. But that isn't the trophy any of those players are here for and, with that in mind, they can only go in one tier.
Tier: MLS Cup or bust
GettyPhiladelphia Union
The Union have built something so, so special.
Basing their identity on developing young talent, the Union have constructed a pipeline that seemingly never stops. Young stars sign, young stars shine and young stars leave, only to be replaced by ones that are seemingly better than before.
When you take that and add in signings like Daniel Gazdag, Julian Carranza, Mikael Uhre and Kai Wagner, you have a machine that can go out and beat teams by a handful of goals, which is something the Union did several times this season.
The Union legitimately have All-Star level producers in goal, central defense and in the midfield. The attack, meanwhile, is deep with guys that can score. You could realistically say they have the best defense and attack in MLS.
That said, it feels like its a step too far to put them in "MLS Cup or bust" territory. It could be argued that they could be the favorites to win it all, but it doesn't feel like it would be doom and gloom if they didn't. They may be the best team, but the Union failing to win it all wouldn't have the same consequences as LAFC would.
Regardless, they're right on the line and have plenty of reason to think they should lift the trophy at the end of it all.
Tier: Got a shot
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Getty ImagesAustin FC
What a turnaround from Austin FC, who went from wooden spoon contender to MLS Cup contender in one year.
Lots of credit will go to Sebastian Driussi, a legitimate MVP candidate who is among the best players in MLS, but this is a team that is ready for the big stage. They have MLS experience all over the roster in players like Maxi Urruti, Diego Fagundez, Ethan Finlay and Alexander Ring. And then there's Driussi, who is that player that all MLS teams need: a difference maker.
Do they have enough pure talent to compete with the best of the best in a one-off game? That remains to be seen. But when you have someone like Driussi leading the line and a team that is built to understand the nonsense of the MLS playoffs, you won't be afraid of anyone.
Tier: Got a shot