"It was a huge upset, right? Right? Whether you find it maddening or irresistible, MLS's fine margins remain a key part of the league. Even against the best of the best, like last year's Miami team that set a single-season points record, struggling teams still have a chance to win thanks to closely controlled roster rules designed to maintain parity."
"Why they will win MLS Cup: Their defense can fuel a run. Austin's biggest strength lies in its defense, which finished tied for 10th in the league based on non-penalty xG allowed according to FBref. Nico Estévez's emphasis on disciplined off-ball work features a low line of confrontation: Austin FC enters the postseason with the seventh deepest block based on American Soccer Analysis's average height of defensive action metric. You can't beat Los Verde if you can't score on them."
MLS postseason features pronounced parity that allows underdogs to upset favorites, exemplified by Atlanta United eliminating Lionel Messi and Inter Miami from the 2024 playoffs. Closely controlled roster rules preserve competitive balance so each first-round team should view itself as an MLS Cup contender. Team strengths that propel title runs include disciplined defenses, low lines of confrontation, and elite goalkeeping. Vulnerabilities include unbalanced squads, overreliance on young playmakers, and insufficient attacking depth. Examples include Austin FC's stout defense and Kristijan Kahlina's shot-stopping excellence, contrasted with concerns about Austin's attacking balance and creative responsibilities.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]