The MLS Cup Playoff Quarterfinals did not disappoint. There was drama in every match, which has set up even more action-packed Conference Semifinals matches. The odds have been updated, and the teams have been placed in their MLS bracket. Who will make it that much closer to lifting the MLS Cup? We will be focusing on the teams playing on Sunday, 10/23.
Quarterfinal Overview
NYCFC 3 – 0 Inter Miami
New York City FC found its feet under interim boss Nick Cushing late in the campaign. On Monday, they quickly dispatched Inter Miami and ended Higuain’s career, winning 3-0 on goals by Gabriel Pereira, Maxi Morales, and Heber. All three came on sloppy giveaways by the visitors, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t also well deserved; the hosts ran all over Miami from start to finish.
CF Montreal 2 – 0 Orlando City FC
Montreal continued their resurgence through the East as they dominated an Orlando team with much to prove coming into the fixture. Orlando City did well to try and counter Montreal’s famed 3-4-2-1 formation but came up short as the midfield trio of Kone, Wanyama, and Mihailovic was too much to handle.
FC Dallas 1(5) – 1(4) Minnesota United
It took 120 drama-filled minutes plus penalties, but FC Dallas finally beat a stubborn Minnesota United.
In a deserved victory for the West’s No. 3 seed, who outshot the Loons 19-7 and controlled 60 percent of possession. FC Dallas still had to dig deep after Emanuel Reynoso gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the second half that was canceled out by Facundo Quignón nine minutes later.
In the shootout, they had to be perfect. Minnesota keeper Dayne St. Clair made eight saves during open play but none from the line, as Dallas buried all five of their spot kicks.
Austin FC 2(3) vs. 2(1) Real Salt Lake
From the get-go, it looked like the match would never get extra time, let alone a shootout. Real Salt Lake’s Sergio Cordova scored two goals in the first 15 minutes of the game, and it looked like a dream start for RSL. A pair of goals from Druissi and a second-half RSL red card helped give Austin FC the comeback win and their first-ever playoff win to boot.
Semifinal Matchups and MLS Betting Preview
CF Montréal (-190) vs. NYCFC (+160)
Date, time (TV):
Streaming: ESPN / ESPN3 (Spanish language), TSN
Location: Stade Saputo
Montréal is a team no one wants to face, and for good reason! The Canadian side will look to book a trip to their first-ever conference final.
The Cityzens, meanwhile, dispatched Gonzalo Higuain and Inter Miami CF 3-0 at Citi Field to earn their trip to Canada. The 2021 MLS betting preview winners hope to make it two consecutive titles, but they have a challenging task if they move forward. This match is the closest in terms of MLS playoffs betting odds, but CF Montréal is the favorite to win.
Austin FC (-105) vs. FC Dallas (+265)
Date, time (TV):
Streaming: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Location: Q2 Stadium
The battle for Texas! FC Dallas’ penalty-kick triumph over Minnesota United earned them a date with fellow Texan side Austin FC. Additionally, Austin needed a pk shootout of their own to overcome a resilient RSL side that would not back down. DP striker Druissi and Austin hope to continue their historic run and make their first-ever MLS soccer odds Conference Final.
Both these clubs were competing near the top of the Western Conference table for most of the season. However, the rivalry implications will surely add another layer of intensity to an always-contentious derby match.
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