International action has wrapped up for the month, and the postseason is back, uninterrupted from here to the trophy lift. And it’s do-or-die now, as we officially enter single-elimination territory. LET’S GO! Now, a TV show-style intro to get you back up to speed:
Previously on the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the field was reduced to just eight teams, setting up some exciting conference semi-final matchups. The Loons won a thrilling series against the Sounders, NYCFC pulled off the only First Round upset, and a few small announcements about the future of the league dropped. While that’s all been very exciting and engaging, there’s a more pressing issue that we need to discuss at the top of this playoff update.
Three of the remaining eight teams have circular logos. While I don’t think any of their logos are particularly bad, I think we all need to unite against them to ensure that a more creative shape reigns supreme this year. In the name of graphic design, let us come together to cheer the prettiest logos to victory!
East
I’ve felt that the Eastern Conference has been the stronger of the two across the last few seasons, but maybe that’s because I’ve got eastern blood in me. I don’t know if I’m drinking the Western Conference Kool-aid or what, but the scales have — at the very least — balanced in my eyes, if not tipped the other way. While each of the four teams below are talented in their own right, they don’t have the same inevitability to them that the in-form teams in the west have. Here’s a hot take for you: No matter who comes out of these Eastern Conference semis, they won’t be winning MLS Cup.
FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami
Messi goes north! Evander looks to lead this intriguing Cincinnati side past an in-form GOAT, and while the cold weather might play in their favor, I don’t think they’re far enough north to put Javier Mascherano’s men too far out of their comfort zone. Pat Noonan’s side may have claimed Ohio as their own for the season, but after getting outscored by the Crew in their Round One series, they aren’t coming into this one at the peak of their powers. I’m taking the Herons to pull off the road win, but it’ll be close. 2-1 Miami, if I had to give specifics. Goals in the 24th, 36th, and 87th minutes, obviously. Unfortunately, the circle logo goes through here.
Stamp that for me, would you?
Philadelphia Union vs. NYCFC
The battle of the circle logos: graphic design loses this one, no matter how you slice it. NYCFC is the only underdog story left in the playoffs, even if the upset they pulled off was just between the four and five seeds. The “giant” slaying shall continue! I didn’t love what I saw from the Union in Game 1 against Chicago, and this NYCFC team is far more stubborn than the Fire. But, with Alonso Martinez’ status in question after an international break injury, my predicting skills have been thrown out of whack. I wanted to say that Matt Freese would come out on top in a shootout, and the pigeons would go flying on. It’s starting to feel more like the Supporters’ Shield holders will have the edge. It’s okay NYCFC fans; it’s not your fault.
West
The conference on the rise! We’ve got some extremely good form building in the west, and with all four of the top four seeds in the conference semis, we’ve got proven quality to back it all up. No circle logos on this side, either, though San Diego’s logo is a circle in shield’s clothing; I know what you did.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LAFC
Would you look at that logo matchup? Immaculate. And the soccer? Even better. From an all-around standpoint, I struggle to look past the Caps, who are playing some very attractive soccer at the moment. But goals win games, and between Heung-min Son and Denis Bouanga, LAFC has arguably got the best goalscoring duo the league has ever seen. Make no mistake; this matchup is final-quality. The rest of the league is lucky that these two are playing one another in the conference semis. It’s a toss-up in my mind, but I’m going with Sonny: LAFC go through, and the South Korean superstar bags a brace in Saturday’s match.
San Diego FC vs. Minnesota United
And we’ve come to the big one. Is it the main course or desert? Either way, it’s the last game that’ll be played in this round, with kickoff set for Monday at 9:00 p.m. CT. It’s also quietly the most intriguing matchup from a stylistic standpoint, as fans of both teams learned during their two regular-season matchups. It’s a clash of the most possession-heavy team in the league against the least. It’s the rubber match between two schools of soccer thought, the culmination of a season series that’s already produced fireworks. The Loons won in San Diego back in September; they’ll do it again.
There you have it; my final four all perfectly predicted:
Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union
LAFC vs. Minnesota United
Sorry to spoil this round for you. I can’t help it! It’s both my gift and my burden to see the future. Unfortunately, this ability only applies to Major League Soccer matches that happen within the next week. It’s not much, but hey, it’s a living.
