The MLS semifinals are set after Round One of the playoffs are all wrapped up. The newly formatted best of three series has its critics, but the games provided goals, drama and plenty to look forward to in the next round.
Among the semifinalists, Sporting Kansas City, LAFC, FC Cincinnati, and Columbus Crew are the teams to watch. But before the action kicks off on Nov. 25, ESPN’s writers provide a look back at the memorable moments and players that excelled, as well as what to watch out for next.
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Sporting KC hitting stride at the right time
Out of all the results from the first round of the MLS playoffs, no doubt the most eye-popping was Sporting Kansas City’s clean sweep of Interstate-70 rivals St. Louis City SC, which included a 4-1 steamroll in front of a stunned home crowd in St. Louis prior to a 2-1 triumph in Kansas City to close things out.
In early May, the mere idea of Sporting Kansas City even reaching the playoffs would have been unthinkable. Most by now know that SKC were winless in their first 10 games, but this was not one of those draw-heavy winless streaks that is so often seen in this league.
Instead, this one had a whopping seven losses anchored to it, the nadir being a 2-0 home loss to CF Montreal. To put that into proper context, CF Montreal won two away games all season long.
