Major League Soccer nicknamed the last match day of his regular season “Day -to -day“, Because it is at this time that the last places of the eliminatory tournament of 18 teams of the League are decided.
Only two of these spots remain unqualled, but that does not make this day of anticlimatic decision. Laftc and the Galaxy The two enter their finals on Saturday with a chance to finish first at the Western Conference and to secure the advantage of the land during the first three laps of the playoffs, which considerably reduced their path to a possible appearance of the MLS Cup.
The Galaxy (19-7-7) leads to the ranking with 64 points and will win its first conference title in 13 seasons with at least one match in Houston. A loss, however, opens the door to Lafc (18-8-7), which can jump over its rival by beating San José at home and by inventing a deficit of two scores in the goal differential, the equality break.
“We do not spend much time discussing scenarios. For us, the important thing is to do what we can and focus on this,” said Steve Cherundolo de LafcWho teases to become the first coach to bring his team to three consecutive MLS Cup finals from Steve Nichol de la Nouvelle-Angleterre from 2005 to 2007.
The advantage of the home field will facilitate this task since the 10 Home Victories of Lafc in MLS Play Trail Only The Galaxy's 13. On the road, LaFC is a mediocre 8-6-3.
The split of the Galaxy road is even more pronounced: Greg VanneyThe team has not lost 16 games at the Dignity Health Sports Park but is 6-6-4. However, it was far from last season when the team has only won eight times, finishing 13th from the conference table in 14 teams.
“We have changed the group a lot from last year. We brought in guys who make a difference,” said midfielder Edwin Cerrillo about a team that has added eight runners since the start of the 2023 season.
Although the galaxy enters the day of decision in mind, they are also faced with the greatest challenges. Not only will they be on the road, but they will also face a Houston team fighting for a favorable season sowing and will be without suspension of midfielder Mark Delgado and the probable winger Joseph Paintsil (tendon). Another midfielder, Marco Reuswill have a limited playing time due to an injury to the hamstrings.
“Here we are, with everything in front of us to play,” said Vanney. “We want to go win this match to give us the field at home through as many playoffs as possible. We are going there to get a result and try to consolidate our position.”
Lafc will play at home against the worst League team, which conceded an MLS 75 goals record. But the Black and Gold, which will play for the 99th time since the start of the 2023 season, will be looking for the interior, said midfielder Timothy Tillman.
“If we don't do our job, then no matter what galaxy does,” he said. “If we do a good job, everything is in our hands.”
The only berth in unstable qualifying series before the day of the decision is the last two places in the Eastern Conference, currently occupied by DC United and Montreal. Philadelphia and Atlanta, which are back three points, can move forward with victories if DC and Montreal lose.
The playoffs open Tuesday with joker matches between the eighth and ninth place in each conference. The first round, a series of three best, begins on October 25.
