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The MLS Cup conference semi-finals begin this weekend with one-legged games to determine our conference finals before the big game in December.
There are eight teams in total from the Eastern and Western conference and we’re here to guide you through the big games to decide who reaches the conference finals.
Orlando City v Columbus Crew
Based on how the previous games between these two sides went this season, this could well be the most entertaining. In the two MLS season games between the two teams, there were 11 goals in total: a 2-2 draw in Columbus in which Orlando secured a point with a stoppage-time goal before a 4-3 win to the Florida side in the reverse fixture – again with a late, late goal.
The Crew made it to the semi-finals after beating Atlanta United (2-0, 2-4, 4-2) but will need to stay defensively sound for the full 90 minutes and beyond in Orlando this time. However, considering that Columbus have kept just two clean sheets in 11 games since September.
Meanwhile, the Lions (who progressed with two 1-0 victories over Nashville) are going into this game in excellent defensive – and winning – form. Orlando City have won their last six games in a row, keeping a clean sheet in five of those.
FC Cincinnati v Philadelphia Union
The Orange and Blue are favourites for lifting the cup and will enjoy home advantage against a Union side they beat 1-0 on home turn thanks to Luciano Acosta’s penalty in April.
The Union will feel like they have unfinished business in the competition though, having lost in the shoot-out to Los Angeles FC last year despite taking a lead in the 124th minute of extra time.
Houston Dynamo v Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City are the outsiders for the trophy having made their way into the semi-finals first by defeating San Jose Earthquakes in the wild card round and then eliminating Western Conference winners St. Louis SC.
Dynamo meanwhile had three close games with Real Salt Lake before eventually progressing thanks to a shoot-out victory at the Shell Energy Stadium.
These two have gone at it three times in all competitions in 2023 with a different result each time. Thorleifur Úlfarsson helped Dynamo progress in the US Open Cup, Iván Franco rescued a draw for Dynamo at home in the league, while Willy Agada’s goal gave the Wizards a win in the most recent game between the two in September.
Seattle Sounders v Los Angeles FC
The Sounders and LAFC finished second and third respectively with a close contest expected in Washington state. LAFC are of course the reigning champions, helped by Gareth Bale’s late, late heroics last season that sent the final against Philadelphia Union into a penalty shoot-out the LA side went on to win. Seattle Sounders have pedigree in the competition too, having won it twice before in 2016 and 2019.
In the recent head-to-head between the two teams, it’s LAFC who have enjoyed the better results. From 2021 until now, the two teams have played each other seven times with LAFC winning three and the Sounders just one – back in May 2021.
Should LAFC progress past the Sounders and go on to win the trophy they would be the first team to retain the cup since El Tráfico rivals LA Galaxy managed it in 2012.
The Conference Semifinals are set! 👀
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 13, 2023
Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/f6BwLnjbDI
