Soccer

MLS Playoffs: Philadelphia and LAFC will face in Cup Finals

MLS Playoffs: Philadelphia and LAFC will face in Cup Finals

Philadelphia Union completed a late-comeback and denied New York City FC a ticket to MLS Cup finals. Follow for more MLS playoffs stories here!

Unlike in the NBA, the MLS playoff really provides a subpar playoff atmosphere, where upsets and Cinderella runs are a normal thing to happen. The MLS playoffs became a central source of drama and an unpredictable future. It’s single-elimination playoff tournament shook the top seeded team to not be comfortable and give their best to reach the MLS Cup. Visit for MLS table updates here!

The meetup of LAFC and Philadelphia Union, two of the seeded teams in their own conferences, is the first top seeded teams to have a match in the MLS Cup, in almost a decade. Between 2012 and 2021, top seeded teams or two conference winners, averaged won a single postseason game per year – this caused the regular season record to be irrelevant as the playoffs become more and more unpredictable and random. 

In the Conference Semifinals, LAFC and LA Galaxy delivered one of the greatest MLS matches as LAFC narrowly edged Galaxy 3-2 to secure their ticket to the conference finals. Christian Arango sealed the deal at the stoppage time. While Philadelphia also narrowly defeated Cincinnati as Leon Flach scored a goal in the 59th minute mark to give the Philadelphjiaa n edge and booked a spot in the conference finals.

In the conference finals, LAFC demolished Austin FC with a 3-0 scoreline. Christian Arango started the demolition at the 29th minute mark and was followed by Urruti at the 62nd via own goal and Kwadwo Opokuy at the 81st minute to complete the demolition and ended the match in a convincing passion. On the other hand, Philadelphia beat the defending champion New York City FC with a score of 3-1. Moralez of New York scored the first goal of the match at the 57th minute mark to give the momentum to New York. However, Carranza answered at the 65th minute and it was followed with only just two minutes by Gazdag at the 67th minute mark. Cory Burke sealed the victory for Philadelphia at the 76th minute and booked a picnic with LAFC at the MLS Cup finals and denied the New York City FC a chance for a back-to-back title that was done by Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007. The first top seeded teams to have an all-out clash for an MLS title for almost a decade.

Both organizations have a chance to make history as neither has lifted the MLS Cup in their respective histories. LAFC, however, won the Supporters’ Shield this year after finishing the campaign with the best overall regular-season record. Kick-off time for the final is slated for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 5.

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