The 2023 MLS Cup playoffs have officially begun and FC Cincinnati remains the team to beat after a formidable display during the regular season. FC Cincy were head and shoulders above other teams across both conferences in the regular season, with 69 points from 20 wins, 9 draws, and 5 losses to finish the season, enough to earn them the best record in the entire league and home-field advantage in the playoffs. Most football predictions have Cincinnati as a huge favorite to clinch the MLS Cup and for the right reasons. However, a number of teams could challenge FC Cincy for the title. In this article, we take a look at which teams can claim to be on par with FC Cincinnati in MLS.
Cincinnati are Heavy Favorites to Win the MLS Cup
Cincinnati capped off its solid campaign with a win against a struggling Inter Miami side, despite Lionel Messi being back on the field, a sign that the team is focused and ready to go all the way in the postseason.
Of course, Cincy kicked off its playoff campaign in style, seeing off the New York Red Bulls three goals to nothing in Game 1. Goals from Alvaro Barreal (2) and Luciano Acosta (who also bagged an assist) were enough to ease past the Red Bulls. Most football predictions are in favor of the league leaders to clinch a berth in the conference semifinals with a win at the Red Bulls Arena on Saturday. You can find here the best football tips and expert analysis for FC Cincinnati curated by top experts at Tips.gg.
Orlando City: Eastern Conference Threat
While Cincy looks to be cruising through to the next round and possibly to title glory, they’ll likely face big competition in the east, their closest rivals being Orlando City. The 2022 US Open Cup champions are making their fourth straight trip to the playoffs under coach Óscar Pareja and are in the form of their lives.
The Lions have lost just three games since May, and have the best record in the league in that span (49 points from 14 wins, 3 losses, and 7 draws). They finished the regular season with 63 points, just six points behind Cincy and enough to claim the second seed in the East (and second-best record across both conferences). Not to mention that it’s the Lions’ best regular season record in franchise history.
It shouldn’t be surprising to anyone if they make it to the Eastern Conference finals and possibly win it all. This team has been formidable!
Defending Champions Los Angeles FC
Most football betting experts had Los Angeles FC as outright favorites to repeat as champions at the start of the season, and they’ve looked like one of the teams to beat all year round. LA FC finished the season with the third-best record in the West and could be vying for a second straight MLS title this postseason. They are Cincinnati’s biggest threat in the West if all things on paper go as planned.
LA is among the top-scoring teams in the MLS this season, with 58 goals scored across all 34 regular season games (the third most in the Western Conference). They lead the league in Expected Goals (xG) with 55.6.
A draw at home against Vancouver in Game 1 of the first round means LA FC has now gone four consecutive road games without a loss. They ended the regular season with back-to-back wins vs Minnesota and Austin and a draw vs Vancouver that saw the defending champions slip to third on the Western Conference table. Despite failing to clinch the second spot, LA looks ready for playoff soccer.
The current champs will first hope to weather the storm against a stubborn Vancouver side this weekend. Both sides have met twice already this season, with Vancouver having the better head-to-head record (a 3-2 win and a draw on decision day). Should LA take the series, they’ll look well-placed to make it to the MLS finals for the second straight year and could be Cincinnati’s opponents.
St. Louis City FC Not Out of Reach Just Yet
St. Louis City may have lost its opening playoff match 1, but it would be hard to count them out still. A harsh 4-1 loss at home to the No. 1 seed in the west can be quite unforgivable, but it’s important to remember that this is the franchise’s first-ever appearance in the playoffs.
St. Louis is in a poor run of form at the moment. They’ve now lost three straight games for the first time this season. However, they still seem like one of the top teams to beat in the West. The team has one of the best goal-scoring records in the MLS this season, with 63 goals under its belt. If they can somehow find a way to rejuvenate their midseason form and make a solid statement on the road come November 2, we might be in for some crunch time!
Conclusion
The MLS postseason is officially underway, with some exciting football matches and interesting results already in the bag. Cincinnati are the heavy favorites to win the title, their first ever in franchise history. But they’ll have to fend off potential competition from a rugged Orlando City side and an experienced LA FC team. Who will hold the honor of “Defending Champions” during the 2023/24 Season? We’ll have to find out on December 9.
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