The Road Ahead: Previewing the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals

The 2024 MLS Cup playoffs continue to heat up with the Conference semifinals swiftly approaching after the November international break.

With MLS Cup favorites Inter Miami, Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati all eliminated, teams from both conferences are now fancying their chances after Atlanta United toppled the Herons in Round One.

Orlando avoided an upset against Charlotte thanks to a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese while New York Red Bulls swept reigning champions Columbus Crew. The Red Bulls' bitter rivals in NYCFC also managed to upset MLS' other Ohio-based team in FC Cincinnati to set up a Hudson River Derby postseason clash.

LA Galaxy made light work of Colorado Rapids by comfortably sweeping Chris Armas' team while LAFC edged out Vancouver Whitecaps in Game 3 at home. Seattle Sounders also completed the sweep of Houston Dynamo with two penalty kick shootout wins, and Minnesota United won in similar fashion to upset Real Salt Lake.

As we've seen in Round One, anything can happen with all eight teams remaining in the postseason regardless of where a team finished during the regular season.

Here's how thing stand in both conferences with the semifinals on the horizon.

Previewing the Western Conference Semifinals

Out West, LAFC face off against Seattle Sounders once again, renewing the rivalry between the two of the conference's most consistent sides. LAFC have the slight advantage since its playing at home, but this one is shaping up to be a tight showdown between two the best defending teams in the league.

The other Western Conference semifinal sees the Galaxy play host to Minnesota. Not many gave the Loons a chance in their Round One series vs. RSL and they'll need to pull off another gritty performance in order to take down the Galaxy's star-studded squad. Should both Los Angeles clubs prevail, we could be in store for an El Tráfico Western Conference final with the winner hosting MLS Cup.

Previewing the Eastern Conference Semifinals

On the East Coast, Atlanta is full of confidence after pulling off one of the greatest upsets in MLS postseason history by taking down Miami and Lionel Messi. The Five Stripes are set to take on southern rivals Orlando away from home, looking to do the impossible once again against a strong Lions side that boasts a solid defense.

The first-ever postseason Hudson River Derby is on the cards when Red Bulls clash against NYCFC at Citi Field. Most probably expected to see an all-Ohio Eastern Conference semifinal but instead we get to see two New York sides do battle with a trip to the conference final on the line.

The Eastern Conference bracket isn't as straightforward as the Western Conference, as there's a good argument for each remaining team in the East to advance with the first three seeds already knocked out of the competition.

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