Orlando City vs. Nashville (Monday, 11.00pm)
In a thrilling start to the Major League Soccer Cup playoffs, Orlando City and Nashville SC will meet for the second time in three seasons, setting the stage for an exciting best-of-three series at Exploria Stadium on Monday night.
Orlando City secured their spot in the playoffs with a commanding 2-0 victory over Toronto, clinching the second position in the Eastern Conference.
On the other hand, Nashville SC ended their regular season campaign in the seventh position after a disappointing 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls.
- Our prediction: Orlando City 2-0 Nashville SC
Nashville’s reliance on a struggling goalscorer, Mukhtar, is a cause for concern, as the team heavily depends on him for offensive contributions.
In contrast, Orlando City has displayed a balanced and consistent performance throughout the season, giving them an edge in this crucial opening encounter.
Seattle vs. Dallas (Tuesday, 1.00am)
The action continues on Tuesday as an old MLS Cup playoff rivalry reignites when the Seattle Sounders face off against Dallas at Lumen Field.
The Seattle Sounders finished their regular season on a high note with a 2-0 victory over St. Louis City, securing the second position in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, Dallas enters the playoffs after a convincing 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in their last fixture, finishing in seventh place.
- Our prediction: Seattle Sounders 1-0 Dallas
Dallas has relied on solid defensive play throughout the season, but the Sounders boast an equally formidable defense and possess the overall quality to seize victory in this opening match.
In these high-stakes matchups, the outcome remains uncertain, but soccer fans can expect two captivating encounters in the MLS Cup playoffs.