Andrew, David and Matt are beat after two straight nights of Knockout Round action, but they drag themselves into the broom closet anyway for a special Friday morning summing up the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs so far and looking ahead to Sunday’s conference semifinals. First up, what happened to much-fancied D.C. United, who laid an egg against the bunker-and-break Impact at RFK? Do Sporting KC have reason to be peeved at the referees after their late lost to the Sounders? Are LA the favorites in the West? Did Toronto FC’s win say more about them or Philly?
There’s no rest for the weary, as barely more than 48 hours are left until Montreal and the Red Bulls get a Sunday quadruple-header started from Stade Saputo in what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between Jesse Marsch and Mauro Biello, one that could include a Didier Drogba trump card. Same goes for Galaxy-Rapids, a clash of clubs with very different histories but MLS Cup aspirations all the same. Toronto and NYCFC, meanwhile, promises to be the most fun matchup, and Seattle and Dallas will rehash a playoff rivalry that seems to pop up every year.
In the mailbag, the Houston Dynamo’s coaching search appears to be over, with Wilmer Cabrera getting the nod over Wade Barrett. What’s that mean for the club? The guys wade in.
