MLS playoff chaos, analyzed: Inter Miami’s shock exit, LAFC’s tactical tweak & more

So, as it turns out: the MLS Cup Playoffs are lit. We got shootouts. We got more shootouts. We got coaches questioning the existence and fan-ship of a divine being. We got Leo Campana and Luis Suarez getting Brad Guzan tangled in his own net. Oh, yeah, and we got the single biggest upset in MLS history.

What a weekend.

Let’s dive into the end of Round One, where four best-of-three series were decided to fill out the conference semifinal round that's coming up in a couple of weeks. Oh, and let's collectively mourn (or celebrate) the recently departed Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami.

Onwards, in order of playoff seeding.

Inter Miami

Result: 3-2 loss vs. Atlanta United

This was, without a doubt, the greatest upset in MLS history.

Atlanta United, who finished the regular season 34 points behind Inter Miami, knocked out the best regular season team in league history in an unbelievable three-match performance. Atlanta deserve a ton of credit for their performances in this series – I’ll break down their performance in their section at the end of this piece.

For now, though, Miami biffed this. Hard. Let’s start with this absolute lack of composure from Leo Campana and Luis Suarez after Lionel Messi’s equalizer. Does this look like calm, composed serial winners, or entitled players throwing a tantrum when the other team doesn’t bend to their will?

I know they had just equalized in this clip, but to me this shows a lot about the mentality of the group. It looks like they’re furious at the nerve of Brad Guzan to deny them their right to the goal, and are offended at the fact that Atlanta aren’t rolling over. Now watch the winning goal from Bartosz Slisz and see if you can spot something way off.

Yep, that’s U22 Initiative defender Tomas Aviles on the ground in his own box, apparently faking a cramp in hopes that the referee stops play instead of, you know… defending. This is one of the most irresponsible things I’ve seen on a professional soccer field. The word “catastrophic” isn’t strong enough. Neither is “negligent”. If you have a better word, let me know in the comments.