Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Round 1: Rapid Rundown & One-liners
By: Anthony Tazbaz
With the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs beginning today, it is time for a rapid rundown of every matchup for every round until the MLS Cup Final held on Saturday, November 5. For the Rapid Rundown & One Liners articles, I will provide a quick rundown of both clubs and a one-liner prediction regarding the game’s outcome.
Dates to Remember
· Round 1
o Saturday, October 15
Match #1: New York Red Bulls (4 East) vs FC Cincinnati (5 East)—12:00 EST @ Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Match #2: LA Galaxy (4 West) vs Nashville SC (5 West)—3 p.m. EST @ Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
o Sunday, October 16
Match #3: Austin FC (2 West) vs Real Salt Lake (7 West)—3 p.m. EST @ Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
Match #4: CF Montréal (2 East) vs Orlando City SC (7 East)—8 p.m. EST @ Stade Saputo, Montréal, Québec
o Monday, October 17
Match #5: New York City FC (3 East) vs Inter Miami CF (6 East)—7 p.m. EST @ Citi Field, New York City, New York
Match #6: FC Dallas (3 West) vs Minnesota United FC (6 West)—9:30 p.m. EST @ Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
· Conference Semifinals
o Thursday, October 20
Match #7: Philadelphia Union (1 East) vs Winner of Match #1—8 p.m. EST @ Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania
Match #8: Los Angeles FC (1 West) vs Winner of Match #1—9 p.m. EST @ Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California
o Sunday, October 23
Match #9: Winner of Match # 4 vs Winner of Match #5—1 p.m. EST
Match #10: Winner of Match #3 vs Winner of Match #6—8 p.m. EST
· Conference Finals
o Sunday, October 30
Match #11: Winner of match #7 vs Winner of Match #9—3 p.m. EST
Match #12: Winner of Match #8 vs Winner of Match #10—3 p.m. EST
· MLS Cup Final
o Saturday, November 5
Match #13: Winner East vs Winner West (club with better record hosts the game)
Where to Watch:
Canada: TSN, and TVA Sports (French)
United States: ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes (Spanish), FOX, FS1, FOX Deportes (Spanish), UniMas, and TUDN
Round 1 Matchups
New York Red Bulls vs FC Cincinnati
Rapid Rundown:
Players to Watch
RBNY: Lewis Morgan
FCC: Brenner
Decision Day Result
Strength
RBNY: High-press defence and deadly counter-attacking
FCC: Attacking power
Weakness
RBNY: Poor performances at home
FCC: Worst defence amongst playoff teams
2022 Matchups
One-liner: New York’s high press will overwhelm the Cincinnati defence; 2-1 RBNY.
LA Galaxy vs Nashville SC
Rapid Rundown:
Player to Watch
LAG: Riqui Puig
NSC: Hany Mukhtar (MLS Golden Boot winner)
Decision Day Result
Strength
LAG: Organized attacking play, particularly towards the end of the game
NSC: Well-organized defensive system and ability to counter-attack effectively
Weakness
LAG: Lack of focus, commit many costly mistakes
NSC: Lack of options in attack
2022 Matchups
One-liner: Nashville’s effective defensive strategy will trump LA’s hunger for goal; 3-2 NSC.
Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake
Rapid Rundown
Player to Watch
ATX: Sebastián Driussi
RSL: Jefferson Savarino
Decision Day Result
Strength
ATX: Organized and deadly attacking play
RSL: Ability to catch opponents off-guard and cause surprises
Weakness
ATX: Lack of MLS experience as a collective
RSL: Lack of talent compared to other qualified teams
2022 Matchups
One-liner: Austin’s deadly attack will prove too powerful for RSL to contain; 3-1 ATX.
CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC
Rapid Rundown
Player to Watch
CFM: Djordje Mihailovic
OCSC: Facundo Torres
Decision Day Result
Strength
CFM: Excellent ball possession and effective crossing
OCSC: Creating magic in the midfield
Weakness
CFM: Average defence & goalkeeping
OCSC: Subpar attack
2022 Matchups
One-liner: Montréal’s well-organized midfield and domination on the ball will be the major difference maker; 3-1 CFM.
New York City FC vs Inter Miami CF
Rapid Rundown
Player to Watch
NYCFC: Maxi Moralez
IMCF: Gonzalo Higuain
Decision Day Result
Strength
NYCFC: Organized and deadly attacking play
IMCF: Rapid attacking flow
Weakness
NYCFC: Inconsistency and adapting to a new coaching system
IMCF: Lack of concentration could prove costly
2022 Matchups
One-liner: NYCFC’s playoff and championship experience will pay off in spades; 2-0 NYCFC.
FC Dallas vs Minnesota United FC
Rapid Rundown
Player to Watch
FCD: Jesús Ferreira
MNUFC: Emanuel Reynoso
Decision Day Result
Strength
FCD: Young energy and ability to surprise practically everyone
MNUFC: Veteran experience
Weakness
FCD: Lack of postseason experience
MNUFC: Inconsistency and tendency to underachieve
2022 Matchups
One-liner: Despite both clubs winning on the road, Dallas’s young squad will come out firing on all cylinders and grab the win; 2-1 FCD.
The Second Edition of the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Rapid Rundown & One-liners will be available before the second round commences.
