Houston vs. Salt Lake (Sunday, 10.00pm)
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In what will be their first MLS playoff appearance since 2017, the Houston Dynamo host Real Salt Lake in the opening match of a best-of-three series on Sunday at Shell Energy Stadium.
Orange Crush clinched home-field advantage for this series thanks to a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers on Decision Day, as they wound up fourth in the Western Conference, a point above Claret and Cobalt, who won their previous encounter 1-0 versus the Colorado Rapids.
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-0 Real Salt Lake
If we were to go off playoff experience, RSL would have the edge. However, Olsen has brought a much-needed sense of poise with this team in 2023, and we believe the Dynamo workhorses in the midfield will allow them to be on the front foot throughout this encounter.
How to watch
You can watch Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Cincinnati vs. NY Red Bulls (Monday, 12.00am)
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For a second successive campaign, FC Cincinnati and the New York Red Bulls will meet in the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs, with the first game of that best-of-three series taking place at TQL Stadium on Sunday.
A 5-2 victory over Charlotte FC in the Wild card round sent the Red Bulls into the next stage, while the Supporters' Shield winners played Atlanta United to a 2-2 draw in their final regular season encounter of 2023.
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-0 New York Red Bulls
Given FC Cincinnati's firepower, we do not believe the Red Bulls will be nearly as aggressive on Sunday as they were against Charlotte earlier this week.
The Red Bulls' strength still lies in their defensive shape, but the Orange and Blue know how to win close encounters, and we expect them to eventually break through this weekend.
How to watch
You can watch FC Cincinnati vs. New York Red Bulls and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
St Louis City vs. Kansas (Monday, 2.00am)
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In their MLS playoff debut, St Louis City will host their state rivals, Sporting Kansas City, with the opening game of that best-of-three series taking place on Sunday at CityPark.
Despite losing their final regular season fixture 2-0 versus the Seattle Sounders, St Louis still topped the Western Conference table this year with 56 points, while earlier this week SKC outlasted the San Jose Earthquakes in the Wild Card round, 4-2 on penalties after that match ended 0-0.
We say: St Louis City 2-0 Sporting Kansas City
Even with their splendid regular season, it seems many are still doubting that St Louis City can keep their miracle campaign alive, which could motivate them to prove more people wrong.
