MLS' Best-of-3 Series Playoff format caused drama over the weekend, with Columbus exiting and LAFC, Miami both losing on the road.
Game 2 of the MLS Round One wrapped Sunday, and it was an eventful round – to say the least.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were stunned by Atlanta United on the road at Mercedes Benz Stadium with over 70,000 fans watching shockingly fall to the No. 9 seed. The Argentine himself struggled, failing to leave a lasting impact on the match, while Sergio Busquets missed the contest due to injury. A late stoppage-time winner sealed a 2-1 victory for , pushing the match to a game three.
In a shocking development, the New York Red Bulls knocked out reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew at Red Bull Arena Sunday evening. After taking game one in Columbus, RBNY defeated the Crew in penalties, ending their brilliant 2024 season that saw them make it to three-different Cup finals. For the Red Bulls, however, it was a statement performance to show the rest of the Eastern Conference they are not messing around this postseason.
Meanwhile, in the West, No. 1 seed LAFC were thumped by the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0, with the Canadian side extending their series to a game three as well. Elsewhere, The LA Galaxy calmly defeated the Colorado Rapids 4-1 to advance to the Western Conference semifinals, where they'll meet Minnesota United – who advanced themselves after a penalty shootout victory over Real Salt Lake. Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders eliminated the Houston Dynamo with their second-straight shootout victory, advancing to the other Conference Semifinal in the West.
In the east, NYCFC took game two vs FC Cincinnati to see things move to a game three while Charlotte bested Orlando City in game two to earn a game three as well.
GOAL looks over the key takeaways from Game 2s of the playoffs.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowMiami's defense is still their biggest weakness
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino should be feeling a bit anxious. One game without Busquets and his midfield capitulated, while his defense looked nervous and uninterested in playing calm and composed. Essentially, they allowed Atlanta and the fans in attendance to put a weight on their shoulders they couldn't hold up, and they collapsed in stoppage-time when Xande Silva bagged a 92nd-minute winner for the Five Stripes.
Game 2 saw Miami head into halftime with a goal advantage after Hector Martinez opened the scoring in the 40th minute. However, Derrick Williams drew level in the 58th and Silva's late winner gave the a victory. On both goals, the defense was caught sleeping, and it highlights the area that teams have exploited all campaign.
Throughout the regular season, the defense was often the biggest issue with the team. In game one, they lost defender Ian Fray to a season-ending knee injury, which did not help their case, either. Factor in the absence of Busquets in his defensive midfield position, and the pressure wound up.
In a positive spin, though, it sounds like the Spaniard could be in contention for Game 3 in Fort Lauderdale.
"He (Busquets) had a problem because of a knock in the last game and he had the beginnings of pneumonia, he had a fever and did not train all week, today he was better," Martino revealed of the midfielder after the game.
As he looked ahead to Game 3, he admitted he still has faith in his team to secure victory in Game 3. "We have the advantage of hierarchy in the team with many players who have been through much more difficult situations than this, although we would have liked it to end today. We are very frustrated with the final result."
For Messi and Co. though, they'll need to play a nearly perfect match if they want to avoid a catastrophic upset. It will be their third match in as many weeks — after a grueling regular season filled with cup competitions and respective international duty commitments. Tired legs are starting to develop, and no room for error exists anymore.
AdvertisementUSA Today ImagesLAFC teetering on brink of expensive disaster
Olivier Giroud has not scored since Sept. 26 and has not scored a single goal in MLS play this season, despite playing in 10 regular season matches and two playoff matches. Reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, meanwhile, had a goal-contribution in six-straight MLS matches (including postseason) leading into their game two match Sunday evening. Both were blanked and were subbed off during regulation, with France's all-time leading scorer departing in the 64th minute and the Gabon international in the 76th minute.
Vancouver's three goals in their 3-0 victory consisted of two own-goals from LAFC, and a Ryan Gauld strike, proving it just was not their evening. However, as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, there's a certain expectation that comes with performances, and they did not live up to it in game two. Manager Steve Cherundolo realized it, too, describing in moments postgame that they just were not good enough.
"Just sloppy mentally and technically and tactically in those moments, and that is just not good enough to win games," Cherundolo said. "And against Vancouver, it's always difficult. It's always a team full of energy and a team who will almost always, scoop up and capitalize on opponents mistakes. And they did again tonight. So we have nothing, no one to blame but ourselves, and we will look to correct those mistakes this week in training and try to finish out the series on Friday."
The correction of those mistakes will be a defining moment for the club. They've spent on their roster, they've brought in superstar talent like Giroud and Hugo Lloris, along with U.S. internationals Timothy Tillman and Aaron Long. There's no excuse for the – and Cherundolo – if they can't defeat Vancouver in game three in front of their home fans.
Heck, it may go down as one of the biggest upsets in MLS playoff history.
USA Today SportsArguments for Columbus' achievements still go both ways
It's hard to describe just how shocking the Crew's playoff exit Sunday evening was. 2023 MLS Cup Champions, 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Runners-up, 2024 Leagues Cup Champions and 2024 Campeones Cup runners-Up — Wilfried Nancy's side were ridiculously impressive, and it's still fair to say they may be the best MLS team we have ever seen.
However, it's also fair to say Sunday was a disappointment, and likely a mark against anyone who makes that claim.
Certain factors, like match congestion, definitely came into play for them this season. They played 50 games in 36 weeks in 2024 – for context, Real Madrid – Champions League Winners of Europe in 2023-2024 – played 55 games in 42 weeks en-route to their victory. Then, there's additional matches for players due to international duty that come into play, too.
There's still positives, though: Cucho Hernandez should still be a frontrunner for 2024 MLS MVP, and Nancy for MLS Coach of the Year, but on the opposite end of the table, Sunday leaves a sour taste in the mouth of the potential achievements. In the end, though, there is no real excuse for the Crew.
As the No. 2 seed and an MLS Cup favorite, they should have been able to secure a result in Round One of the postseason.
For RBNY, though, it's remarkably impressive. The influence of Emil Forsberg did not go unnoticed, as he recorded two goal-contributions and scored his penalty kick in their victory over the Crew Sunday. It's a statement victory, and one that announced their presence as an Eastern Conference competitor to the rest of the league.
Getty Images SportHouston's leaders failed team
Two-straight penalty shootout losses cost Houston a playoff dream, but let's be real. Two matches, and two different embarrassing red cards from two important and respected veterans on the team factored into things more.
It's inexplicable how both Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla and Hector Herrera both managed to make each match about them while hurting their teammates as a result, but here we are.
In Game 1, Carrasquilla saw red for committing an act of violent conduct on the pitch towards Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnak, being sent off in the 66th minute. In Game 2, Herrera was removed in the 66th minute as well, but in this case, it was for grotesque reasons. The Mexico international spat towards the backside of referee Armando Villarreal, and after the quickest of VAR reviews, the 34-year-old was sent to the tunnel.
Per the Houston Chronicle, the Dynamo "declined" to make Herrera available for postgame media Sunday evening, further showing a lack of accountability from the midfielder.
Houston was never touted as a team that could compete for MLS Cup, but manager Ben Olsen had them playing some incredible defensive soccer this postseason to make up for their one-man disadvantage in both matches. One now has to wonder, with Herrera's contract up and the club holding an option, if he's worth bringing back in 2025.
There's a chance that both Herrera and Carrasquilla – who has been linked with moves abroad – have played their last games in a Dynamo kit, with their final moment being them seeing red.
