MLS Cup playoffs: Round 1 sees LAFC, Galaxy emerge as favorites

By the end of Saturday night, the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs no longer contained Lionel Messi. Inter Miami were ousted in shocking fashion, at the hands of the Eastern Conference's No. 9 seed: Atlanta United.

That was hardly the only shock, though. The top three teams in the Eastern Conference, including last year's MLS Cup winners, will watch the rest of the postseason from the comfort of their homes.

With plenty to talk about after Round One came to a close on Saturday night, and nearly two whole weeks before the conference semifinals begin, ESPN breaks down the highs, the lows and the controversy of MLS's just-concluded best-of-three series.

The talk of Round 1

Title favorites emerge from Los Angeles

With Inter Miami and the Columbus Crew now out of the picture, all eyes will now be set on the new title favorites emerging from the west coast: LAFC and the LA Galaxy.

Carried by four goals and an assist from Riqui Puig, the Galaxy were relentless with their 5-0 and 4-1 thrashings of the Colorado Rapids in the most recent playoff round. Let's not forget Gabriel Pec either. MLS' Newcomer of the Year was also brilliant with three assists and a goal in the two-game series. As long as they avoid some of the defensive mistakes seen this season, their attack should be able to compensate for any issues from the No. 2 seed from the West.

As for the conference's No. 1 seed, despite some roadblocks in a series against the Vancouver Whitecaps that went three games, there's still reason to have plenty of faith in the side that lifted the U.S. Open Cup champions. LAFC have got depth in the frontline, and by the way, they just so happen to have a backup option like club legend Carlos Vela now back on the bench. -- Cesar Hernandez

Atlanta embrace underdog status in upsetting Miami

After cruising to the Supporters' Shield (and setting a single-season points record with 74) Inter Miami are out of the playoffs in the first round. There's no two ways about it: that's an unexpected jolt for the league and a history-making loss for the Herons.

Miami's star-studded team did reveal weaknesses throughout the season. And Atlanta United -- who finished the year in ninth place in the Eastern conference and a full 34 points below Miami -- exploited them. United punished Miami's vulnerable defense in transition, and Jamal Thiaré was immense when it mattered.

Forty-year-old former Premier League goalkeeper and USMNT veteran, Brad Guzan was the overarching star in a series filled with them. His seven saves in Saturday's thrilling 3-2 finale and 18 saves across the series included some world-class heroics, and proved that the matchup's numerous aging talents weren't all dressed in pink.

On the one hand, missing out on Messi & Co. in the remainder of this year's playoffs is a disappointment (rest assured that the league's marketers aren't thrilled), but this surprise series gives fans some of the stuff we love most: the glory of the underdog, the come-from-behind victory, the never-say-die 40-year-old goalkeeper sending the superstar squad to an early end. -- Megan Swanick

Keepers' union takes top billing

Goalkeepers rarely receive the recognition or attention they deserve, but several stole the show in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs after five of eight series were defined by penalty shootouts.

In the East, New York City FC's Matt Freese saved three penalties against FC Cincinnati to knock out an MLS Cup favorite and clinch a spot in the semifinals. Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and the New York Red Bulls' Carlos Coronel also single-handedly earned their respective teams a ticket to the next round in saving two spot kicks each. In the West, the Seattle Sounders' Stefan Frei and Minnesota United No. 1 Dayne St. Clair proved to be vital when making key penalty saves.

Although Guzan was not put in a position to save a shot from the spot, he did stop Messi on several occasions to keep Atlanta's playoff dreams alive. Guzan proved to be Messi's kryptonite through the three matches, denying the forward goals like so few have around the world.

When a team triumphs, even in a penalty shootout, fans quickly credit the attacking players for the efforts on the pitch. But a goalkeeper's performance, no matter how grand, often goes unnoticed.

These keepers deserve the credit. No team plans to be in a position to make their No. 1 the most valuable player on the pitch, but Guzan, Freese, St. Clair, Frei, Gallese and Coronel stand as a reminder that the role cannot be undervalued. -- Lizzy Becherano

Round 1 MVP

Riqui Puig | LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy are looking like the team to beat heading into the next round of games, and the 25-year-old Spanish midfielder is one of the big reasons why. With four goals and one assist across a two-game series, Puig is both a conductor and finisher in LA's inspiring attack. He's also on track to be the postseason's top scorer (only Vancouver's Ryan Gauld has scored more in the playoffs, but he won't be able to add to his tally after the Whitecaps' elimination) if he keeps the pace in the next round. -- Swanick

Brad Guzan | Atlanta United

Move aside, Messi. At 40 years of age, Guzan was nothing short of phenomenal against Miami. Sure, the former Aston Villa man did allow five goals across three matches, but the scorelines could have been far, far worse for Atlanta had Guzan not provided a noteworthy tally of 18 saves.

"Grinding, believing, resilience," said the captain on how he and his teammates surpassed Messi & Co. "There's some fairy dust in our locker room." -- Hernandez

Jamal Thiaré | Atlanta United

Thiaré concluded the 2024 MLS season with six goals and no assists in 25 games, underwhelming supporters. He entered the decisive third match of the best-of-three playoff series against Inter Miami ready to prove all wrong.

The 31-year-old from Senegal netted Atlanta's equalizer on Saturday night with a right-footed strike from inside the box before earning the Five Stripes their first lead of the night with a second goal just minutes later. The forward broke down Miami's backline alongside Alexey Miranchuk before finding the top of the net.

Thiaré's defiant attitude going forward and perfectly timed runs proved devastating for Inter Miami, leaving Tomás Avilés, David Martínez and Marcelo Weigandt scrambling. Despite a quiet regular-season campaign, the forward accomplished what many before him tried and failed to do so at Chase Stadium. -- Becherano

Goal of Round 1

Luca Orellano | FC Cincinnati

Although Orellano's efforts were eventually overshadowed by three NYCFC goals, his Game 2 strike deserves recognition. The player positioned himself perfectly in the final third and nutmegged defender Kevin O'Toole before completing the stunning left-footed strike into the upper left corner of the goal.

Orellano spoiled fans with golazos throughout the season, winning 2024 MLS Goal of the Year and netting strikes from 70 yards out, and the rocket against NYCFC was more of the same. -- Becherano

What a strike from Orellano! 🔥@fccincinnati cut the deficit to one goal. // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/T2KCIG3G0X

Jordi Alba | Inter Miami

An incredible and accurate long-range attempt from the 35-year-old Spaniard. The strike, which proved to be Game 1's match-winner, clocked in at an xG of just 0.03. In order to get something past Guzan, it had to be something special. -- Hernandez

Jamal Thiaré | Atlanta United

They came in quick succession, so at the risk of breaking the rules, Thiaré's brace of goals in the 19th and 21st minutes of Atlanta's 3-2 win in Game 3 against Miami both deserve a shout. The timing, the positioning, the placement: Thiaré's crisp composure was perfect on both pivotal goals. -- Swanick

Most anticipated conference semifinal matchups

6. New York City FC vs. 7. New York Red Bulls

Who doesn't love a playoff derby?

Both of the New York teams defeated higher-ranked opponents to progress to the conference semifinals, where they'll meet each other for a historic derby. NYCFC saw off last season's Shield winners, Cincinnati, in a three-game series that ended with Freese delivering three saves in a decisive penalty shootout. And NYRB beat last year's champions, the Columbus Crew, in a two-game upset of the conference's No. 2 seed.

Next up: the first-ever Hudson River Derby in the MLS Cup playoffs. NYCFC have won two of their three meetings this season, but anything can happen in the playoffs. Prepare your popcorn. -- Swanick

2. LA Galaxy vs. 6. Minnesota United

On paper, this one looks easy for the Galaxy, but don't overlook Minnesota.

The Loons are undefeated in their past seven games and have only lost once since September. They've got some weak spots in their XI, but if St. Clair can step up like he did against Real Salt Lake, Minnesota will have a fighting chance against the likes of Puig and Pec.

That said, the Galaxy are still the favorites here and have a handful of game-changers within their roster --- which includes Marco Reus off the bench. -- Hernandez

4. Orlando City vs. 9. Atlanta United

The Eastern Conference semifinals will serve as the setting for one of the most passionate confrontations of the 2024 MLS playoffs.

Atlanta United enter the match with a newfound momentum and strengthened underdog mentality after knocking off heavy favorites Inter Miami. The Five Stripes came together under interim manager Rob Valentino and look capable of giving Orlando City all they can handle.

The Lions may have shown signs of struggle against Charlotte FC in the first round, but the No. 4 seed -- boasting talents like Facundo Torres and Ramiro Enrique -- are the highest-ranked team still standing in the East. At their best, Orlando can overcome even the strongest opponents. -- Becherano