The Western Conference Playoff race has been top-heavy all year; three teams have owned the top three spots until LAFC overtook one of the top spots. Four teams now are viewed as the top dogs of the Western Conference Playoffs while the rest of the field is hoping they can pull of an upset.
The East has nine teams that could win it all. The West has been a different story, thanks to being top-heavy, while the rest of the field has been battling it out just to stay in the race.
The top dogs in the conference are projected to win the West and have the best chances at making it to the MLS Cup, but do any of the underdogs have a chance to make a run?
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Brad Guzan Announces Retirement after 21 years
Will the Favorites Prevail or Fall
The Underdogs in the West
The battle between the last two seeds in the West seems to be all for nothing, as the winner is bound to play San Diego FC, which has been the best team in the West all season, as they were this season’s big surprise in the MLS.
Both Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers have struggled this season, both in different ways. Portland has slowly slid down the table, as they were once in the middle of the playoff seeds. Salt Lake, on the other hand, was on the outside looking in for most of the season, as they finally find themselves in the ninth seed.
Both Dallas and Austin have a negative goal differential and will struggle to outscore the top teams that they will face in the playoffs. Both teams can stay in games and score enough to draw against equal competition, but fail to outscore their opponents.
The Favorites
I included Seattle in this due to their performance well in the Leagues Cup and representing the MLS in the Club World Cup. They have a solid roster that could make a run with the backing of one of the best supporter groups in the league.
They might be considered underdogs as they are the fifth seed in this competitive group, but I think they can make a run if they can survive the first round.
Minnesota was a team I thought could win the MLS Cup before injuries knocked them down to fourth place after fighting for the top spot in the Western Conference all year, leading up to this point.
Their injury situation might be too much to recover from, though some players are returning or have returned; that doesn’t mean they are 100 percent.
LAFC is my pick to win the West and make it to the MLS Cup. With their two-headed monster in Son and Denis Bouanga, they have one of the deadliest attacks in the league. Since their recent spark, since adding Son to the fold, I think they will possess the best attack this playoffs, proving to be a force in the playoffs.
Vancouver and San Diego are two surprise teams in the West that have been solid all year long. Vancouver slipped earlier in the year but has recovered since adding Muller to the fray.
San Diego has built this team to last, as they have a squad in their prime playing the best soccer of their lives. Unfortunately, I think they will be the league disappointments as I see them losing in the second round.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date 17.10.2025