They debated if LAFC are the favorites to win the MLS Cup. It was :55.
The MLS Cup playoffs are still going strong. LAFC, Philadelphia Union, Austin FC, and New York City are the usual suspects for this league.
This year's conference finals are one of the most regular-season-representative sets of conference finals in recent memory. LAFC, Philadelphia and Austin were three of the league's five best teams from start to finish.
With the conference finals kicking off on Sunday, Kyle Bonagura and Dan Hajducky were asked to predict which team would go to the MLS Cup.
It must have been hard for Philadelphia to digest the end of the playoffs. After falling in the Eastern Conference final to NYCFC, the Union had to watch from home as the Bronx Blues won the MLS Cup.
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On Sunday, that should be motivation. Philadelphia still has more to show.
The Union won both games against NYCFC, 2-1 at home and 2-0 on the road, beating their opponents in both expected goals and chances. Despite Philadelphia's dominance this season as the Eastern Conference champion, tied for most points in the league in 2022 and its highest- scoring team, they were fairly pedestrian in chance creation and shots conceded, and trailed NYCFC in both categories.
Philadelphia is not equal in MLS from the goal out. Their total of 26 goals against is the best in the league and they prevented more than any other team.
Without Castellanos, NYCFC's depth and variety of attackers is even better. In the last three games of the regular season, Santiago Rodriguez, Talles Magno, Gabriel Pereira, Heber, and Maxi Moralez have combined for 10 goals and eight assists. It should frighten any opponent in the playoffs.
Philadelphia are also an opponent in the playoffs. JackElliott is one of the best center-back duos in the league, KaiWagner is one of the best left-backs in the league, and Jose Martinez is one of the best goalkeepers in MLS history. No one in the league scored more goals than the Union.
There are predictions.
The Union felt hard done by when 11 players were kept out of last year's conference final against NYCFC because of COVID protocols. This is a chance to make amends, and their balance should get the job done against the defending champs. -- Carlisle
It's a match of differing philosophies: NYCFC, a tentacle of City Football Group's global empire; and Philadelphia, a homegrown factory, with an eye for talent. Both philosophies have obviously worked, but the Union played at a level this season that their counterparts have never reached, even on their way to winning MLS Cup last year. Philadelphia is the pick. -- Bonagura
NYCFC dispatched Miami and upended Montreal in quick succession, scoring three goals in each of Round One and the conference semifinals, but Philadelphia will continue their historic season and stymie NYCFC's streaking offense. It's a long time coming for the Union -- along with with the Phillies in the World Series and the Eagles still undefeated -- who will underline quite the moment for the City of Brotherly Love by making the franchise's first MLS Cup final. -- Hajducky
This isn't just Philadelphia's incredible defense and goalkeeping against NYCFC's red-hot attack. The form the New Yorkers are in should cause a scare on the eve of Halloween, but on top of a stout foundation at the back, the Union boast the best goal-scoring figures in the league. -- Lindberg
Two of the best teams in the Western Conference have made it to the conference final. It was not easy. LAFC needed a goal at the end of the game to win. Austin faced Real Salt Lake in the conference semifinals. This has all the makings of a really good match.
During the regular season, Austin claimed a pair of wins, the second of which was a thumping of the Black and Gold. LAFC now have an ace in their hand. It took Denis a while to find his feet with LAFC, but he has excelled in the past month and scored two goals against the MLS team. The LAFC attack already features Carlos Vela and Cristian Arango, and he has provided additional dynamism off the dribble.
The Verde have some high value cards. Diego Fagundez has had a career high in goals and assists in Austin. During the playoffs, his ability to strike from free kicks is useful.
Both teams like to move quickly. Driussi and Vela thrive there. Will both sides allow that to happen? It won't be a surprise to see Austin sit back and counter, even though they were on top of their game during the 4-1 win back in August. Alex Ring is very good at blocking up the middle. LAFC's Ilienchez, Kellyn Acosta and Jose Cifuentes will have to stay disciplined and not get caught in a vulnerable defensive shape.
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