2025 MLS Cup Round 1 Predictions

Wild card games will kick off the playoffs on October 21. The Eastern Conference will start things off with Orlando City facing the Chicago Fire in the first single-elimination game. Chicago sits ahead of Orlando in the standings, but that doesn’t mean they’re the better team. City had a rough end to the season, but they’ve proven to be a strong playoff team in recent years. Their creative gameplay could be enough to bypass Chicago’s defense. Orlando is my favorite to take the first wild card ticket.

The Western Conference wild card matches will be against the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake. Salt Lake was the last team to earn a playoff spot on Decision Day, making them the underdogs of the conference. Diego Luna is the standout for the team and is most widely known for his time on the U.S. Men’s National Team. The Timbers are favored because of their performance earlier this year; however, they barely made it into the playoffs. I believe we’re going to see the underdogs take the win and see Luna and Salt Lake move forward.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. FC Dallas

One major match to watch would be between the Whitecaps and Dallas. Vancouver is by far the favorite and is even one of the top contenders for the MLS Cup this year. The late-season addition of the Bundesliga great Thomas Müller is also cementing their favorability. While it seems that Dallas wouldn’t stand a chance, history is on its side. Their latest win against the Whitecaps on Decision Day ended with a red card, meaning that Vancouver will be playing without defender Mathías Laborda. Despite that, I believe the Canadian team will be the one to win their first best-of-three playoff round.

Los Angeles FC vs. Austin FC

Los Angeles is coming off a strong second half of the year and is flying high into the postseason. While Austin has succeeded against them this season, the LAFC, currently taking the pitch, is looking to prove itself after a near finish in the Leagues Cup this year. While LAFC could go all the way, Austin will still be riding high from their recent win. Despite that, I predict that Los Angeles will win their first round.

Minnesota United FC vs. Seattle Sounders

This round-of-three win is one of the easier ones I’m predicting. The Sounders have found a way to work a roster that hasn’t been consecutively healthy for months. Not only that, but they took a Leagues Cup title that many fans were positive would go to Inter Miami. That win shows the team’s durability and persistence during tough matches. While Minnesota United isn’t a bad team, I don’t see them matching the determination behind Seattle.

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew

The two Ohio teams going head-to-head in the first round of the MLS Playoffs are going to be incredibly fun to watch. It’s also one of the most challenging matchups to predict. Both teams have done incredibly well this season; only Cincinnati has held onto its success all year. The team is also considered one of the favorites to win the Playoffs. Unfortunately, I’m joining the mob mentality and agreeing that Cincinnati has this in the bag.

Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC

If this matchup had happened in the middle of this past season, I would easily say that Nashville has what it takes to stop Miami and Lionel Messi. Now that Inter seems to have hit their groove after a rough end to their Leagues Cup journey and a shaky mid-season performance, it’s going to be a tougher decision. While I’d like to say Nashville could win this as the underdog, I believe that the first-round win will go to Miami. It’ll simply be too difficult to end Miami’s playoff run while most of their matches are at home.

Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC

As a longtime Charlotte fan, I want to be biased and say the team will win in the round of three and, in turn, win the MLS Cup. While I’d love to see a surprising end to the up-and-down season, the team is going to have a hard time fighting back against NYCFC. While Charlotte has a fantastic track record at home, New York is the team that helped break the team’s winning streak earlier this season. Since these matches are mostly at home, I believe Charlotte has the chance to win; however, they will likely make it to all three matches because of their one away game.

What Happens To San Diego And Philadelphia

San Diego FC will play the Western Conference wild card winner, while Philadelphia Union will play the Eastern Conference winner. It’s easy to say that both of these teams will come out on top, considering they’re both at the top of their conferences. The Union is even the Supporters’ Shield winners. While I see Union moving on, I believe San Diego could fall behind. It’ll all be determined by who wins between the Timber and Salt Lake.

End Of My MLS Cup Week 1 Predictions Rant

The postseason has just begun for MLS, and we have a long way to go. It’s easy to say a team like Philadelphia should win it all because they got the Shield, but nothing is guaranteed in MLS. It’ll all depend on luck and talent as all the teams face off against each other.