Who’s moving on to the conference semifinals?

The most dramatic Decision Day in Major League Soccer history is behind us, and while we’re sad to see the season end for 13 unlucky clubs (and their even unluckier fans), our enthusiasm for the beginning of the MLS Cup playoffs knows no bounds. The New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids will enjoy a bye in Round 1’s opening salvos, leaving the Nos. 2 through 7 seeds in both the Eastern and Western Conferences to kick off the postseason beginning on Saturday.

ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, Kyle Bonagura, Caitlin Murray, Dan Hajducky, Danny Guerra and Austin Lindberg preview all six Round 1 matchups, predicting which clubs will be moving on to the conference semifinals and whose players should begin booking travel arrangements for holidays in far-flung locales during their all-too-short offseason.

Jump to: Philadelphia-Red Bulls | Nashville-Orlando | NYCFC-Atlanta | Seattle-RSL | Sporting KC-Vancouver | Portland-Minnesota

Eastern Conference

Two stingy defenses duking it out on the Delaware, just like George Washington intended. Their three previous meetings yielded a 1-0 Philadelphia win and two 1-1 draws, so the nets at Subaru Park should be spared too much action. Philadelphia only allowed 35 goals all year while New York conceded 33, two of the four fewest totals in the entire league. With 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year finalist Andre Blake in net, Philadelphia has only lost once to the boys from Harrison since 2018. — Hajducky

Predictions:

The Red Bulls seem to be getting the hang of Gerhard Struber’s high-pressing tactics, but the Union usually find a way to get a result. — Carlisle

This match has 1-0 written all over it, either way. A Kacper Przybylko goal feels like a fitting way for the Union to advance in the MLS playoff for just the second time ever. — Bonagura

– Predict results in ESPN’s Soccer Playoff Pick ‘Em!
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After years…