Upcoming Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups

This weekend marks the second round of the Eastern Conference games, with teams striving to advance to the MLS semifinals after securing their initial victories.

Some squads, like Miami, looked strong after their comfortable win against Nashville in Game 1. On the flip side, Philadelphia managed a win but it wasn’t as… convincing. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle the pressure.

With four matches lined up, let’s dive into what we might expect and offer some predictions on which teams will move forward or set up a tense Game 3.

No. 1 Philadelphia vs. 8th Chicago

Saturday, 5:30 PM ET. Apple TV+

Chicago leads the series 1-0, but they’re facing a crucial match, especially as they seem to be building momentum at SeatGeek Stadium. The Union started strong with a 2-0 lead, yet Chicago clawed back late in the game. Missing their top scorer, Philippe Zinkernagel, who has been exceptional this season, adds a layer of uncertainty.

The Union, despite being the favorites, might not keep a clean sheet. It’s quite possible Chicago could push the series back to Philly for a decisive Game 3.

Prediction: Chicago 1, Philadelphia 1 (Chicago won 5-4 in penalty shootout)

2nd Place Cincinnati vs. 7th Place Columbus

Saturday, 6:30 PM ET. Apple TV+

This matchup is definitely one to catch. Columbus has a strong record at Lower.com Field, and I think in an elimination game, they’ll bring the offense needed to even the series. Cincinnati is no easy opponent, and their recent win came with a dramatic effort from billionaire Kevin Denke.

The Union will need standout performances from players like Daniel Gasdag and Diego Rossi, who showed promise in the first game. If they can step up, it might be a tough night for Cincinnati despite their roster depth.

Prediction: Columbus 1, Cincinnati 0

3rd Place Inter Miami vs. 6th Place Nashville

Saturday, 7:30 PM ET. Apple TV+

This feels like a defining moment for Nashville, even though the match shifts to their turf. Inter’s solid 3-1 victory in the first leg, with Messi leading the charge, poses a tough challenge for Nashville. They do have strengths to rely on with forward Sam Surridge and midfielder Hany Mukhtar, but they’ll need more than just individual skills to overcome the might of Messi and his supporting cast.

Still, it seems likely that Miami will move on to the semifinals after this encounter.

Prediction: Miami 2, Nashville 1

4th Place Charlotte vs. 5th Place New York City FC

Saturday, 3:30 PM ET. Apple TV+

NYCFC had a chance for a late goal last time against Charlotte, but they’ll need to bring their A-game to take the series back home. Yankee Stadium has proven a challenging venue for visitors, and NYCFC’s impressive record there—11 wins this season—adds to their edge.

Charlotte will depend on players like Maxi Rodriguez and forward Alonso Martinez to set the scene. However, advancing to the semifinals might be quite the uphill battle.

Prediction: NYCFC 2, Charlotte 1