If you were wondering, dear reader, that sound you’re hearing is the sound of players from eliminated playoff teams trudging to their computers to snag tickets for the next flight headed to Cancun. It’s sort of a swoosh-swoosh-click sound, right? Yep, that’s what I thought. It’s a classic this time of year.
After some Round One sweeps, I’m here to fill you in on the latest for each playoff team (or now-former playoff team) in the Western Conference. Ben Wright has you covered over in the East.
Let’s get to it, starting with the top seed and working towards the bottom.
To read up on the Eastern Conference playoff teams, check out Ben’s rundown.
Ben Wright
LAFC
Result: 3-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps
What went wrong for LAFC in their series-extending loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night? Allow me to refer you to the Hater’s Guide to the Playoffs that I put together a couple weeks back:
Why LAFC won’t win MLS Cup: Because their defending takes a nose dive in big games… there was that 5-1 loss to the Columbus Crew in LA back in July, where Wilfried Nancy’s team carved up their hosts in open play. Then there was that Leagues Cup final loss to Columbus, where LAFC’s set piece defense was, shall we say, optional. Then there was the final El Trafico of the season… I’m not convinced this version of LAFC has what it takes to avoid giving up bad goals on a long playoff run.
With a chance to put Vancouver to the sword and mirror their crosstown rivals in getting things done early, LAFC didn’t show up in the first 15 minutes north of the border. They gave up an opener thanks to a slow reaction off a turnover and some poor box defending and then shipped a second three minutes later off the second phase of a set piece, where, uh, basically everything went wrong:
A dangerous ball by Gauld forces a mistake, and we're up by TWO! 🙏
— X - Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 4, 2024
📺 https://t.co/3ksbP76nGa #VWFC | #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WMtR6uEOMm
Included, but not limited to, in the results of the above defensive frailty was a pit LAFC never climbed out of and one (1) sad Steve Cherundolo.
We can only assume that Cherundolo was also sad after his team neglected to mark Vancouver’s most dangerous attacking player in their own box on a throw-in for the third goal. I mean, this is simple stuff!
Vancouver are 3-0 up! Game Three on the horizon? 👀@WhitecapsFC // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ipr7kNws4A
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 4, 2024
Despite Cherundolo’s love for a three-back setup, LAFC continue to be too gappy, too often for their own good.
For all the praise I heaped on Cristian Olivera for his attacking contributions last time out, he was exposed defensively at right wingback on the regular in Game 2. The players around him clearly weren’t sharp, either. On the whole, this team isn’t one that seems to move the ball well for more than a sequence or two every half, which means it’s difficult to claw back into games once they’re down. LAFC had a few looks in the second half, but it wasn’t enough.
LAFC have the luxury of hosting Game 3 back in their building, which should be a real edge. But I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t worried about them struggling against the ball as the playoffs continue.
