The 16 teams participating in the knockout stages of the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament have been determined after Thursday night’s games. This competition won’t have the two most successful clubs in league history as both DC United and the Los Angeles Galaxy failed to win a game in the Group Stage, but most of the best teams in the league will have the honor of duking it out for the MLS Cup over the next couple weeks.
2020 MLS is Back Tournament Round of 16 Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Saturday, July 25
Orlando City SC vs. Montreal Impact, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Perhaps the most impressive team in the Group Stage was Orlando City. The Lions finally made the postseason after coming up short for the first five years of their existence with seven points out of three matches. Nani’s last-second goal helped Orlando City nip Inter Miami in their first match, and that has given them a favorable draw. Montreal were one of the four third-place teams to make it into the knockout rounds. Saphir Taider was excellent in the Group Stage with three of the Impact’s four goals, but the rest of the team needs to raise their level if Montreal are going to advance. The winner of this match has the unenviable task of facing either the Seattle Sounders or Los Angeles FC in the quarterfinals.
Sunday, July 26
Toronto FC vs. New York City FC, 8:30 p.m. (FS1)
Sporting Kansas City vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 11 p.m. (FS1)
The reigning Eastern Conference champions picked up at least a point in all three of their matches during the Group Stage. Toronto FC made it happen with Ayo Akinola bagging a hat trick and a brace in his first two matches starting ahead of a recovering Jozy Altidore, and the duo gives the Reds a great scoring combination. This back line has recovered nicely after a shaky start, and that will make them favorites per the MLS betting odds against a New York City FC squad that only advanced due to a victory over expansion Inter Miami. NYCFC have looked listless on offense with just two goals through three matches.
Monday, July 27
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m. (FS1)
Seattle Sounders vs. Los Angeles FC, 11 p.m. (FS1)
The late match on Monday night is an absolute doozy. Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders will face off in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals. LAFC have been unstoppable on the attack even without Carlos Vela. Bradley Wright-Phillips has netted a goal in each match, and Diego Rossi has bagged five goals thus far in the tournament. They would love to pick up some revenge against the Sounders after losing to the eventual MLS Cup champions in LA last year, and Seattle didn’t look that sharp in the Group Stage with a 1-1-1 record in three matches.
Tuesday, July 28
Columbus Crew vs. Minnesota United FC, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Portland Timbers vs. FC Cincinnati, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Columbus was the best team in the Group Stage. The Crew were the only team to win all three of their matches, and they didn’t allow a goal in their victories over Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati, and the New York Red Bulls. They have looked strong in defense, conceding a total of five shots on goal in those matches, but they will be facing one of the most talented attacks in the MLS. Minnesota United was one of the highest scoring teams in the league before the season was postponed with eight goals in their first two matches.
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