GOAL takes a look at each opening round series, highlighting keys to success, players to watch and predictions
It's the most wonderful time of the year for MLS fans: the 2024 postseason is officially here. The Wildcard matches begin midweek before the Round One best-of-3 series begin Friday night.
The first team to two wins advances, and the other goes home. It's do-or-die, and these are moments in which players can make a name for themselves.
The stars are out in full-force, too. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will take the pitch for Inter Miami, while Olivier Giroud will run out with LAFC, and Marco Reus with the LA Galaxy. That's not to mention reigning league MVP Lucho Acosta and FC Cincinnati, among others.
In 2023, the Western Conference's No. 1 seed St. Louis CITY SC were stunned in the opening round by Sporting Kansas City – which show no team is ever safe when it comes to playoff soccer.
Now, the biggest questions are on the table ahead of the 2024 edition of the postseason. Who advances, and who falls short? Which players are X-factors, and what are they keys to success?
GOAL examines and offers predictions on each MLS opening round playoff matchup.
Getty ImagesLAFC vs Vancouver Whiteccaps
LAFC's Keys to success: Feed Denis Bouanga, and let Giroud do his thing in front of net. Don't overcomplicate it; treat it like any other match and just play the same style fluid soccer displayed during the regular season.
Player to watch: Giroud – France's all-time leading scorer has yet to have his moment in MLS this season. The playoffs present him with that opportunity, moments in which he's often thrived.
Vancouver Whitecaps keys to success: Let Vanni Sartini do what he does best: deploy unconventional attacking-minded tactics that catches the opposition off-guard. If the Whitecaps can find success in front of net like they did in the Wildcard match against Portland vs LAFC, there's a good chance they can push for a stunning upset.
Player to watch: Ryan Gauld – the Scotland international bagged a hat-trick against the Timbers in the Wildcard game, and has been in fine form during 2024. He's the attacker who can change the course of the series, if it comes down to it, for Vancouver.
GOAL's series prediction: LAFC should come out on top here, simply due to talent. However, Vancouver's Wildcard performance has everyone re-evaluating.
AdvertisementgettyInter Miami vs Atlanta United
Inter Miami's keys to success: Lock in defensively. Their weakest link is their back-line, and the entire league knows it. They won't have to worry about their attack, they know that group can get the job done. They genuinely just need to avoid silly mistakes, slow the game down and trust in their defense.
Player to watch: Messi – He's coming into the postseason with back-to-back hat-tricks, one for the Herons, and the other Argentina. Need we say more?
Atlanta United's keys to success: Take advantage of the counter-attack. Look at Decision Day, for example. New England's two goals came from pacey individuals who exposed the back-line. If they can free up Saba Lobzhanidze or Tyler Wolff in those moments, they can threaten – and all of MLS knows that is the area to exploit.
Player to watch: Alexey Miranchuk – you don't just casually spent $10+m on a player to make him fit your roster; he is guy, and needs to show up in moments like the postseason as a result. As a 2024 Europa League Winner with Atlanta in Italy, he needs to be their x-factor in the attack, and not shy away from the challenge ahead.
GOAL's prediction: Miami will cruise to two-straight victories, but they won't keep a clean sheet in either match. No need for a game three.
Getty Images SportReal Salt Lake vs Minnesota United
Real Salt Lake's keys to success: Hope that Chicho Arango finds his shooting boots, and that the Loons cave under pressure. In two meetings this season, they left things at a 1-1 and 0-0 draw, so RSL will be prepared for a heavy defensive presence. If they can break it, and find an early goal or two, they're in good shape.
Player to watch: Diego Luna – The U.S. youth international is crafty, creative and RSL have nobody else like him on the roster. If he's feeling himself, he'll attack Minnesota back line across 90 minutes.
Minnesota's keys to success: The Loons were an excellent away team in 2024, and they'll need to replicate that in Sandy, Utah. Riding a five-match unbeaten streak into the tie, they need to play with confidence and composure, while hoping that new manager Eric Ramsay can live up to the big moment on the touchline.
Player to watch: Bongokuhle Hlongwane – The South Africa international leads the team in scoring this year and is someone who can play across the attack wherever commanded. A threat on the counter, his blistering pace will test an experienced RSL back line.
GOAL's prediction: The Loons will take this series in three games. RSL will begin things with a dominant victory in game one, but the Loons will return with one of their own before game three is settled in penalties, and Minnesota pulls out the upset.
USA Today ImagesLA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids
LA's keys to success: Let Riqui Puig run the show in the midfield. Give him the ball, let him control the tempo, and let him feed Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Jovelic; just give him your complete and utter trust.
Player to watch: Marco Reus – He has yet to have his in the league. Will the postseason provide him with that opportunity?
Colorado's keys to success: Hope that Cole Bassett can own the midfield, and that their attack can catch the Galaxy off-guard in big moments. They need to take advantage of set-pieces, the counter and any errors that LA commit; capitalizing in those situations is the biggest way to make them stumble.
Player to watch: Rafael Navarro – The Brazilian is clinical if the opportunity is handed to him. Put him in successful scoring positions, and your odds are instantly improved.
GOAL's prediction: With the recent injury to Djordje Mihailovic, the Galaxy will be too much to overcome for the Rapids, who are heavily reliant on the U.S. international. LA will settle this in two matches, with a home victory followed by a road win.