With only three games left in the MLS playoffs, Sunday will be the day to decide which two teams play the league in a week.
Both in the Eastern and Western Associations, they will be interesting encounters.
In the East we will be entitled to the resumption of the 2021 semi-final between Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.
In the West we will see Los Angeles FC hosting Austin FC, a team that has taken everyone by surprise with its fighting spirit.
The two games will be featured on TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct, from 3pm to 8pm.
Different
For the oriental final, as we said, it is a replica of what we saw a year ago. New York had defeated the Union with a score of 1 to 0 by winning the first MLS Cup in its history.
However, things may be different this time around. Indeed, Philadelphia had appeared before New York with a team decimated by a COVID-19 outbreak.
Everyone is healthy this year and Jim Curtin’s men seem to be at the top of their game.
The Cityzens are no exception: they have been convincing in their first two playoff games, including last week’s win against CF Montreal at the Stade Saputo.
Disappointments
The fact remains that Philadelphia, who play this match at home, finally see the door open after the many disappointments in the playoffs over the years.
The Union has the best attack in the league with 72 goals scored and the best defense in MLS with only 26 goals conceded in 34 games this season.
Philadelphia has coach of the year Jim Curtin and 2022 best goalkeeper Andre Blake, who has 15 stoppages this season.
New Yorkers may have a good offense and decent defense, but they will have their hands full against a Union that has everything to go through with it.
beautiful duel
Later on Sunday evening, Los Angeles FC will host Austin FC. It will be a bit of a Hollywood showdown, because on the side of the Angelinos there is Will Ferrell among the shareholders and Matthew McConaughey in the ownership group.
It’s also a match between two teams that didn’t make it to the playoffs in 2021. In Austin’s case, that’s no surprise, as the club was in its first season. For Los Angeles it was a disappointment and the time for redemption has come.
On the one hand we have Austin, who mainly focuses on a collective concept with the additional contribution of the excellent Sebastian Driussi, who finished second in the Golden Boot race with 22 goals, one less than Hany Mukhtar.
On the other hand, we have a team full of talent with Carlos Vela in the lead, Gareth Bale, who still played very little, and Giorgio Chiellini in defense. And let’s not forget Quebec goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
Similar
Statistically, Los Angeles and Austin are similar. LAFC finished first in the West with 67 points, compared to 56 for Texans who finished second.
LA scored 66 goals against Austin’s 65. The difference is defensive. Los Angeles conceded just 38 goals, while Austin gave up 49 goals.
With a formidable attack like that of Black and Gold there is reason to expect a rather open and above all exciting match.
And let’s not hide our pleasure, there is a certain Felipe who queues for Austin and who is very good at hosting a game.
