It’s no secret that this year’s edition of the MLS Cup Play-Offs have been absolutely electric, and these Conference Finals matchups are going to bring even more drama. This year it will be LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders and Orlando City vs New York Red Bulls.
First let’s review the Western Conference Final Match Up. Both the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders have had very solid seasons, finishing 2nd and 4th respectfully in the West. The Galaxy have been on an absolute tear this post season, beating their opponents a combined 15-3! Netting the second most goals in MLS Cup Play-Off history with still 1-2 games to play! On the opposite side, we have Seattle. Who have, somehow, with their age still managed to contend with the rest of the pack. They were able to beat Houston on penalties in both of the two matches, and shock LAFC out of the post season in extra time. Seattle have yet to win in regulation, whereas the Galaxy have won convincingly in every match.
Now it’s onto the East, where upsets have been a regular and no one’s position is safe. Orlando City and New York Red Bulls find themselves in this position, when no one even expected them to get this far. Orlando were able to take down Charlotte in 3 games in Round 1, and beat rivals Atlanta United by a score of 1-0. Gallese has been lights out this postseason, keeping 3 clean sheets and only allowing just the 1 goal. New York Red Bulls, a team that everyone thought was going to start declining this season (much like Seattle) have been able to prove the doubters wrong. After beating Columbus in both of the 2 matches, they found themselves going on the road to rival NYCFC, where they were able to pull of yet another miracle and win 2-0. Orlando have the quality over New York, but at this rate, there’s no telling who will win this.
As for my prediction, I’m going to say this:
Galaxy 3-1 Seattle
Orlando 2-0 New York
While Seattle may have plenty more experience then this current LA squad when it comes to post season play, I think that this prolific and free scoring LA team will be too much for the old guys to handle.
And yes while the Red Bulls have shocked opponent after opponent, Gallese has been lights out, and I don’t see his form slowing down anytime soon. These results would set up a Galaxy vs Orlando MLS Cup Final.