MLS Conference Finals - Match Preview & TV Information

It is time to crown the Western and Eastern Conference Champions. Philadelphia Union fought their way through the semifinals by holding off Nashville SC, while their Conference final opponents New York City won a thrilling game against the Revolution. In the Eastern Conference, Portland Timbers clinched an impressive 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake continued their solid winning run after a 2-1 triumph against Sporting Kansas City.

Watch the MLS Conference finals live on Saturday and Sunday. Information on how to watch the games on TV and live streaming can be found here.

MLS Conference Semifinals

4^th December – Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake (Providence Park)
5^th December – Philadelphia Union vs New York City (Subaru Park)

Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake

Portland Timbers are one match away from hosting their second ever MLS Cup. But to reach the final stage of the season they have to find a way to stop Real Salt Lake. Real Salt Lake who have picked up a remarkable form since the regular season ended and have managed to knock out both Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City on their way to the Conference finals.
Portland Timbers is the highest ranked team remaining in the MLS Playoffs and will therefore have the advantage of hosting the MLS Cup final if they would get that far.
Real Salt Lake have been underdogs in each of their post season matches. Two extraordinary performances have brought them to their first Conference final since 2013. Portland Timbers and a visit to Providence Park will be another massive challenge for them as the Timbers only lost 4 out of 17 games on home soil this season.
As good and impressive as the post season performance has been from Real Salt Lake, we believe that this is where the fun ends. Portland Timbers have the experience and the quality to make it all the way this season and Real Salt Lake will find it hard to repeat the success from the two previous rounds.

Portland Timbers -108
Draw 260
Real Salt Lake 260

PREDICTION: Portland Timbers to win -108 @BetMGM

Philadelphia Union vs New York City

The Union host New York City in the Western Conference final after a dramatic win on penalty shootout against Nashville SC on Sunday night. Two goals in the first half had the match tied up until the penalties and as Nashville SC failed to score each of their four shoots, Union could seal the win by goals from J. Elliot and J. McGlynn.
Sunday’s opponent, New York City, were involved in the match of the weekend when they won 3-2 against this season’s Supporters’ Shield winners New England Revolution. New York City finished fourth in the Eastern Conference but have impressed throughout the post season. Playing Philadelphia away from home is never an easy task, though New York City might have what it takes and will be boosted by the late minute winner against the Revolution. The odds are nearly even in this game, but we believe New York City should have a good chance of winning here riding on the winning wave of beating the highest ranked team in this season’s MLS.

Philadelphia Union 140
Draw 240
New York City 175

PREDICTION: New York City to win 175 @BetMGM

Author: Dan Anderson