MLS Cup: The Final Four

12/01/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

4 Teams Enter the MLS Cup Conference Finals, So Who Has the Edge?

We’ve let you down, MLS fans. Over the past month, other sports have stolen the highlights from the MLS Playoff coverage. That ends now with the semifinals just around the corner. Four teams enter the weekend with championship aspirations still very much alive. The Supporters’ Shield winners, FC Cincinnati, are the only #1 or #2 seed still in play. The rest of the underdogs are no slouches. Cincy will host the Columbus Crew in a battle of Ohio for the Eastern Conference bid. Out west, the reigning champions from LAFC are looking to complete the repeat, but Houston (Dynamo) stands in the way. It’s FC Cincinnati’s tournament to lose, but don’t count out the underdogs. Here’s a history refresher of each team’s MLS Playoff legacy.

MLS Titles by Team

LAFC: 1 (2022)

Columbus Crew: 2 (2008 & 2020)

Houston Dynamo: 2 (2006 & 2007)

FC Cincinnati: 0

Players to Watch

Denis Bouanga (LAFC): 20 Goals, 7 Assists

Luciano Acosta (CIN): 17 Goals, 14 Assists

Cucho (COL): 16 Goals, 11 Assists

Amine Bassi (HOU): 10 Goals, 4 Assists

*Bouanga & Cucho Lead Playoff Scorers (4G Each)

MLS Playoffs Schedule (Semifinals)

#1 FC Cincinnati vs. #3 Columbus Crew (Sat. 6:00 pm)

#3 LAFC vs. #4 Houston Dynamo (Sat. 9:30 pm)

MLS Cup Finals: Saturday, December 9 (4:00 pm)

*Games on Apple TV / All Times ET

MLS: Lucho or Cucho? Can Houston Stop LAFC? Conference Finals Mailbag

Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images