MLS 2021 playoff predictions: will anyone stop the New England Revolution?

New England have faced heartbreak in the final before. But this year they could finally end up lifting MLS Cup

The regular season was defined by ...

The number of MLS big beasts who experienced a fallow year. While the Seattle Sounders stayed competitive near the top of the Western Conference, the two Los Angeles teams found themselves at different stages of a rebuild, with Toronto FC preparing for a major overhaul in the East. The Columbus Crew, the defending MLS Cup champions, failed to make the playoffs while DC United also missed out. From early on, it was clear many teams already had their sights set on 2022. GR

New England Revolution have been a rock of a team the entire season. Unmoved by the Colorado Rapids, the top seed in the Western Conference, the Revs dominated MLS with a 22-5-7 record. Thanks to an unflinching attacking style and Carles Gil, league leader in assists, the Revs are primed to take it all. PW

The dominance of the New England Revolution, who waltzed away with the Supporters’ Shield after putting up a record breaking 73 points. Their trio of midfielder Carles Gil and strikers Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa helped create the best attack in the league. It only gets trickier from here for the Revs though, as no Shield winner has won MLS Cup since Toronto FC in 2017. JF

Best team that didn’t make the playoffs …

While there was undoubtedly disappointment in Carson over the LA Galaxy’s failure to make the playoffs, Greg Vanney has made some progress in moving the club into a new era. What’s more, the Galaxy lost just one of their last seven matches of the regular season. They stand a good chance of a stronger 2022 with another year under Vanney’s stewardship. GR

Let’s have a moment of silence for DC United, whose spot in the playoffs seemed safe until a combination of losses saw them plunge in the standings. The transition with new head coach Hernán Losada was tough for the club, costing them multiple matches. The nail in the coffin was the 6-0 spanking handed to them by New York City FC on 23 October. PW

DC United missed the playoffs by a single point despite having one of the league’s leading scorers, Ola Kamara, fronting their attack. They’ll rue their poor defense and an astounding difference in home form (2.00 points per game) versus their away form (0.76ppg), the widest gap in the league. JF

Your dark horses are ...

Not so long ago, New York Red Bulls appeared to be drifting under Gerhard Struber. However, they dragged themselves into the playoffs for the 12th consecutive year. Their defence looks much improved with Struber’s high-press also more cohesive than it was during the summer. If the Red Bulls can get the better of the Philadelphia Union in their first-round match, they could be a real force. GR

Minnesota United strategically picked up points to slide into the playoffs as the No 5 seed in the Western Conference. Their hopes ride on striker Emanuel Reynoso, who boosted the club after they started the season with four consecutive losses. PW

The New York Red Bulls have lost just once in their last 12 matches. After a horrible start to the season, they’ve tightened up defensively, not giving up more than a single goal since their September matchup with Columbus. Rarely out of games, a couple moments of brilliance could spark a deep run. JF

Player to watch ...

After finishing third in the Western Conference, Sporting KC have the quality to make a deep run in the playoffs with Johnny Russell as their main man in attack. The Scot found the back of the net 12 times in his final 10 regular season games as everything he touched turned to goals. If Russell can carry that sort of form into the postseason, Sporting KC could go far. GR

Sporting Kansas City’s Johnny Russell has risen to star status, particularly in a brilliant end to the regular season. Now, he prepares to face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first-round of the playoffs. The Whitecaps have talented striker Brian White, but Russell’s speed and instincts should be enough to take Kansas City to the final. PW

Carles Gil has been electrifying for New England. After missing much of last season to injury, he returned late in 2020 to lead the Revolution to the Eastern Conference final. In 2021 the Spaniard was even better and returned to the form that made him 2019’s Newcomer of the Year, bagging a league leading 18 assists. JF

Team at risk of going out early ...

If Russell doesn’t find top form, Sporting KC could find themselves in trouble. Peter Vermes’ side might have finished third in the West, but they lost three consecutive matches to finish the regular season and could be low on confidence heading into the playoffs. What’s more, Sporting KC can be defensively vulnerable. A first-round match against the in-form Whitecaps will be a tricky test. GR

After a dismal start to the season Atlanta United made a comeback with Josef Martinez leading the club during a six-game undefeated streak. But in the first-round they face New York City FC, who are coming off an unbeaten streak of their own. Atlanta failed to beat NYC FC in the regular season and the club risks falling to Valentin Castellanos, who ended the season with six goals in four games. PW

The Philadelphia Union have been a team on the rise for the last few years, finally making good with a regular season title during 2020’s abridged season. Still, they’ve never made it to the conference finals in their history. It’s hard to see them progressing that far this year either. The New York defense they face in the first-round will be tough to crack. JF

Eastern Conference final …

New England Revolution 1-1 Philadelphia Union (Union win on pens). GR

New England Revolution 3-2 New York City FC. PW

New England Revolution 3-1 Nashville SC. JF

Western conference final …

Portland Timbers 1-2 Seattle Sounders. GR

Colorado Rapids 1-2 Sporting Kansas City. PW

Seattle Sounders FC 2-0 Colorado Rapids. JF

MLS Cup final

Philadelphia Union have been building towards a serious playoff charge for some time. Last season saw them lift the Supporters’ Shield, but suffer defeat to the New England Revolution in the first-round. Twelve months older and wiser, the Union are a well-coached and disciplined side who have lost just one of their last 11 matches. They will take some beating. GR

New England lost only five of their 34 matches in the regular season. The power of Gustavo Buo and skill of Carles Gil should result in the Revs clinching the title, whoever they face in the final. PW

From 2002 to 2007, the Revolution made the MLS Cup final four out of six seasons, including three straight from 2005 to 2007, and lost every time in heartbreaking fashion. This year the Revolution will look to exorcise their demons. After a deep run courtesy of Carles Gil’s timely return last year, look for the Revolution to continue their form and capture their first MLS Cup. JF