The MLS Cup playoffs are set to kick off on Wednesday night with the Wild Card round.
The play-in matches feature the eighth- and ninth-seeded teams from each conference battling it out, with the winners advancing to face the top seed in the best-of-three Round 1.
How will the Eastern Conference matchup play out between the Chicago Fire and Orlando City at 8:30 p.m. ET? And what about the Western Conference clash, with the Portland Timbers hosting Real Salt Lake at 10:30 p.m. ET? Cesar Hernandez and Joseph Lowery analyze these opening matches of the postseason and discuss the Wild Card round.
Eastern Conference
8. Chicago Fire vs. 9. Orlando City
Star player: Just four players in MLS have notched more goal contributions this season than Philip Zinckernagel, who has tallied 27 goals and assists combined, making him a key figure to watch in Wednesday’s Wild Card clash.
Operating in the right spaces of Gregg Berhalter’s offensive strategy, the first-year MLS player has proven to be essential for the Fire, ranking in the 89th percentile for successful take-ons among his positional peers. His ability to penetrate Orlando City’s defense could be pivotal. Though he wasn’t the most high-profile signing of the summer, Zinckernagel has been instrumental in leading Chicago to its first postseason appearance since 2017.
X-factor: Not your typical fullback, Alex Freeman stands out with the ability to influence games significantly. The emerging U.S. men’s national team regular has scored six goals and assisted three this season, placing him among the top contributors among fullbacks, only behind Jordi Alba from Inter Miami and Kai Wagner from the Philadelphia Union.
With remarkable stamina as a defensive midfielder, the 21-year-old Freeman can create offensive opportunities in transition, a crucial aspect for an Orlando team needing to capitalize on those chances while away from home. According to American Soccer Analysis, only 24 players in the league have generated more fast-break xG than Freeman this year, suggesting that if he performs well on the counter-attack, Orlando’s chances for victory greatly improve.
Tactical insight: After identifying the need for change following a 3-1 defeat to New York City FC last month, Berhalter shifted the Fire’s formation from 4-3-3 to 3-4-3 against Minnesota United, leading to an undefeated streak in five games and a marked improvement in their defense.
As stated by American Soccer Analysis, the Fire improved from allowing 1.78 xG per game (27th in MLS) prior to the change to 1.58 (10th in MLS) afterward. This matchup between Chicago’s fortified defense and Orlando City’s dynamic offense, which ranks third in non-penalty xG this season according to FBref, will be a crucial storyline to watch on Wednesday. Will Chicago’s defensive upgrades hold up against Orlando’s diverse attack? — Lowery
Predictions
Considering Orlando City’s injury concerns—central midfielder César Araujo hasn’t featured since August, and center back Robin Jansson missed Decision Day—alongside the fact they’ll be playing away, I expect the Fire to emerge victorious. Berhalter’s switch to a back three offers a solid defensive base while retaining their offensive flair. A struggling Orlando won’t stand a chance. — Lowery
Momentum is vital in the playoffs, and Orlando lacks that with only one win in their last nine fixtures across competitions. Their recent 4-2 loss to Toronto FC raises concerns for the upcoming match. — Hernandez
Orlando’s defense has been vulnerable, having conceded 16 goals in their last seven matches, while the Fire have lit up the scoreboard with 18 goals in that same span. Look for Chicago to seize the opportunity in their first playoff appearance since 2017. — Jeff Carlisle
Given their recent form and motivation to change past outcomes, Chicago should have the upper hand against Orlando City. Berhalter’s squad has multiple options to score, while Orlando has struggled to deliver in crucial situations. — Lizzy Becherano
Despite a shaky finish on Decision Day, Chicago enters this match unbeaten in their last five, contrasting sharply with Orlando’s lagging momentum. The Lions’ potent attacking options have been undermined by their defensive lapses, making it tough to envision a clean sheet. — Jon Arnold
Hosting their first playoff match since 2017, Chicago rides the wave of good momentum, despite a better away record. Their recent unbeaten streak means they’re set to capitalize on Orlando’s two-game losing streak and just one league win since mid-August. — Megan Swanick
Western Conference
8. Portland Timbers vs. 9. Real Salt Lake
Star player: All eyes turn to Diego Luna, a two-time MLS All-Star poised for potential World Cup selection. At his peak, the dynamic 22-year-old playmaker can change games with his skill and decision-making. With nine goals this season, he proves to be a timely scoring threat for his team.
Although his squad has had a challenging 2025 campaign, finishing ninth with 17 losses out of 34 games underscores the obstacles ahead. Nonetheless, with Luna at the helm of their offensive efforts, Real Salt Lake still holds a chance, undeterred even by setbacks like his recent broken nose sustained during a match.
X-factor: David Ayala ranks among the top players in MLS for tackles, pass completions, and recoveries, playing a critical role in the midfield. The 23-year-old Argentine’s ability to cover ground and disrupt opposing attacks could be pivotal in neutralizing a player like Luna.
If the Timbers, who typically struggle to control possession, capitalize on counter-attacks, Ayala’s contributions could help them achieve success. However, there are concerns about Portland’s final-touch executions, evident as they ranked 28th in xG (expected goals) out of all teams in MLS, with only 42.17 over the season. This statistic comes off their disappointing 4-0 defeat on Decision Day to San Diego FC.
Tactical insight: Get this: Real Salt Lake leads the league in the percentage of shots taken from outside the 18-yard box, with 46% of their 487 total shots coming from outside. While this approach has earned them 38 goals, the second-lowest among playoff teams, their shooting behavior suggests Portland could have an easier game defensively if they maintain positional discipline.
Predictions
While it may be a closely contested match, Luna’s attacking prowess could secure either a goal or an assist. Expect an electric atmosphere at Providence Park, regardless of the result. — Hernandez
Neither team is particularly strong relative to the playoff mix, but RSL seems to have the edge. Portland’s recent record of just one win in ten games and their struggle to utilize key players suggests they won’t hold up well against RSL’s emerging talent like Victor Olatunji. — Lowery
Real Salt Lake, despite their rocky path into the playoffs, could ride the wave of momentum through the Wild Card game into the next round. On the flip side, the Timbers’ form has dipped, with only one win since mid-September. — Becherano
Although RSL has had a rocky season with only three wins in the past ten, that’s significantly better than Portland’s one victory. The Timbers’ lack of scoring and subsequent poor record leads me to favor Salt Lake, particularly to see Luna advance. — Carlisle
Portland has struggled immensely with just one victory in ten games. RSL may have squeaked into the playoffs, but their recent results against middle-tier teams make me lean towards them. — Swanick