With the resumption of the season, MLS teams, bar FC Dallas and Nashville SC*, had been engaged in the MLS is Back tournament. This once in a lifetime mini-tournament takes place in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The teams had been housed in a make-shift ‘bubble’ type of environment with zero interactions from the fans or the general public.

24 teams had been divided into 6 groups of 4 with the top 2 in each group and 4 best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 16. In addition to a trophy and a US$1.1 million prize pool to be won, the points earned from the tournament matches count towards their regular season as well.

And then there were 16

With the conclusion of the last game for the MLS is Back tournament’s group stages, we are now left with the following match-ups for the competition’s knock-out rounds:

1.Orlando City vs Montreal Impact

2.Philadelphia Union vs New England Revolution

3.Toronto FC vs New York City FC

4.Sporting Kansas City vs Vancouver Whitecaps

5.San Jose Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake

6.Seattle Sounders vs LAFC

7.Columbus Crew vs Minnesota United

8.Portland Timbers vs FC Cincinnati

Let’s take a look at the teams that had impressed thus far:

Columbus Crew

Caleb Porter’s Crew had been the standout team of the tournament with 3 straight victories in a group which contained the 2018 MLS Cup winners, Atlanta United, and the New York Red Bulls. They did so without conceding a single goal and scoring 7 goals in the process. With the ever-present Jonathan Mensah marshalling the backline, Darlington Nagbe pulling the midfield strings and the attacking riches of Gyasi Zardes, Lucas Zelarayan and Pedro Santos, this team has more than a fair chance of claiming the tournament trophy. Their 4-0 mauling of Jaap Stam’s FC Cincinnati in their first group stage match showed a collective hunger that was hardly seen from the Crew teams of the past. Credit goes to 2015 MLS Cup winning coach, Caleb Porter, for polishing this gem of a team. Although not the finished article yet, if the Crew can keep up their high-quality performances, the future is bright for them not just for this tournament but for the coveted MLS Cup come the end of the season.  

Minnesota United

Despite missing MLS Defender of the year stalwart, Ike Opara, Minnesota United had gone through the group stages unscathed. The team earned an impressive 2-1 win against Sporting KC and consecutive 0-0 and 2-2 draws with Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids respectively. Results that left their unbeaten record intact. They are the epitome of the sum of its parts being more effective than a few shining stars. New signing, Luis Amarilla, had not exactly been firing on all cylinders but they were still able to grind out the crucial points. Coach Adrian Heath has managed to turn around this franchise, which had only started in 2017, from whipping boys to a well-organised and hardworking team. The other teams know that they are in for a tough fight when they play Minnesota. Unfortunately, they will be facing another in-form side in the Columbus Crew for the next round. That match promises to be exciting nevertheless.

Philadelphia Union

The Union has been outstanding for most of their matches in this tournament with 2 wins and a draw. Having first started in the club as an academy coach since 2010, Jim Curtin deserves full credit for transforming the Union into one of the legitimate contenders in the Eastern conference. MLS watchers continue to be impressed by the rise of 19-year old Brenden Aaronson, who plays just behind the quality front pairing of Sergio Santos and Kacper Przybylko. He has turned in consistent performances for every game and this would not be possible without Curtin’s faith in his academy products. With a solid defensive line helmed by MLS All-star goalkeeper Andre Blake, the Union had been tough to break down, conceding a lowly 2 goals. Before the lockdown, they had caught the eye with a credible 3-3 display against LAFC and had never looked back since.

LAFC

Although LAFC had only earned a single win and 2 draws in their group games, one can never count out the 2019 Supporters’ Shield winners. They come into this tournament severely handicapped without the reigning 2019 MVP, Carlos Vela. Concerns were raised when they drew 3-3 with the Houston Dynamo in their first group game, having spent most of the time chasing it. However, they had since bounced back with an emphatic 6-2 thrashing of their neighbours, the LA Galaxy, with Diego Rossi contributing 4 goals! LAFC also has the dangerous Bradley Wright Philips, Brian Rodriguez and Adama Diomande in their ranks, with the former scoring 2 goals already. Typical of a Bob Bradley-coached side, they often start on the front foot in most of the games. However, it is in defence where LAFC have to improve. They tend to leave too many gaps at the back which had resulted in soft goals, evident in the games against the Dynamo and the Portland Timbers. It is up to the midfield trident of Latif Blessing, Eduard Atuesta and Mark-Anthony Kaye to address this soft spot of theirs.

Portland Timbers

The Timbers had managed to top a group which contains the 2 LA teams and the Houston Dynamo, which is no mean feat. A team full of South American flair, the Timbers know how to win with a squad of veteran players who possess the big-game experience. Players such as the trio of 34-year olds – goalkeeper Steve Clark, defensive midfielder Diego Chara and their creative playmaker, Diego Valeri. Young players such as Eryk Williamson and Jeremy Ebobisse had been active contributors as well. The latter is the team’s top scorer with 3 goals. Although they had brought in some new players this season, they are still largely dependent on the same core group of players to carry the club. Their pedigree showed when they were down to 10 men and had to survive a late onslaught by the LA Galaxy before securing a close 2-1 win. If they can overcome a lesser-known opponent in FC Cincinnati, they will meet with teams who will severely test them in the later rounds.

San Jose Earthquakes

Mathias Almeyda’s Earthquakes side play an eye-catching attacking style that promises lots of goals and pleases the neutrals. However, critics had pointed out to their lack of defensive solidarity as a glaring weakness of the team. They were trailing the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-3 before earning a hard-fought 4-3 victory, the winner literally coming in the last minute. Their defence did improve during their last group game when they managed to keep a clean sheet while earning a 2-0 win over a defensively-resolute Chicago Fire team. The Earthquakes will need more performances like that if they harbour hopes of going far in this tournament.

Other than the featured super six, there are several dark horses left in this competition. Notable mentions of teams such as reigning MLS Cup holder, Seattle Sounders, Toronto FC and Sporting Kansas City come to mind. However, one can’t help but feel that there might be a lot of unexpected twists and turns from now till 11 August, the day when MLS will crown the inaugural winner of the MLS is Back tournament. 

*Both teams were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to the outbreak of Covid-19 cases within their clubs.

Written by: NerazzuriX