"For those MLS fans out there who want some stunning and surprising upsets, they'll have to wait just a bit longer in this year's playoffs. In the Western Conference, the top four seeds went through with San Diego FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps, LAFC and Minnesota United FC all surpassing lower seeds, and in the case of Los Angeles and Vancouver, they needed just two games to win their series."
"Sure, over in the East, there was one instance of a lower seed going through with No. 5 New York City FC knocking out No. 4 Charlotte FC, but you won't find many who predicted that Charlotte would win it all. Those title predictions from the Eastern Conference bracket have instead focused on teams like the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF -- who all remain in the title chase."
"Sixteen days after it began, Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs came to a close on Sunday night. And if the momentum of the postseason wasn't moving slowly enough, it will now stop altogether with the November international break now underway. With the best-of-three series fresh in mind, though, what better time to look back at the playoffs' opening salvos?"
Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs lasted sixteen days and concluded before the November international break halted play. The best-of-three opening round produced dominant performances from top seeds, especially in the Western Conference where the top four seeds advanced, with LAFC and Vancouver closing their series in two games. In the East, a single lower seed, No. 5 New York City FC, eliminated No. 4 Charlotte FC. Preseason title predictions remain focused on Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF. The playoff format and scheduling, including the pause for international fixtures, drew renewed criticism.
Read at ESPN.com
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