MLS Cup playoffs Round 1 talking points: Messi, favorites move on

After sixteen days since it kicked off, Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs wrapped up on Sunday night. With the pace of the playoffs already slow, it will come to a complete halt now that the November international break has begun.

With the best-of-three series still fresh in our minds, what better time to reflect on the first rounds of the playoffs? The anticipated teams performed well, the GOAT advances to the conference semifinals for the first time in his MLS journey, and multiple penalty shootouts added significant drama.

ESPN sought insights from Cesar Hernandez and Joseph Lowery to encapsulate the highlights and lowlights of Round 1.

Discussion of the round

The top teams advance

For those MLS supporters craving thrilling and unexpected upsets, they will need to hold off a bit longer in this year’s playoffs.

In the Western Conference, the top four seeds progressed with San Diego FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps, LAFC, and Minnesota United FC overcoming lower seeds, and in the instances of Los Angeles and Vancouver, they required just two matches to secure their series victories.

Indeed, in the East, there was one case of a lower seed advancing as No. 5 New York City FC eliminated No. 4 Charlotte FC, but few predicted Charlotte would emerge victorious. Predictions for the title from the Eastern Conference have instead highlighted teams like the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, and Inter Miami CF — all of whom remain in contention for the championship.

Are these outcomes indicative of future events? Likely not.

In a league characterized by considerable parity, MLS is predictably erratic. However, one prediction can be made with certainty: surprising outcomes will likely surface in the next round. — Hernandez

MLS struggles with scheduling

A great deal of discussion has revolved around MLS’ contentious playoff format, which includes 60% of the league, kicks off with a best-of-three initial round, pauses for an international break, and then transitions to single-elimination matches through to the MLS Cup. It’s cumbersome at best and overly intricate at worst.

I’ve come to appreciate the stories and tactical confrontations fostered by the best-of-three series. Others may not share this view, which is perfectly okay. However, perhaps the greatest puzzler from MLS during this year’s opening round wasn’t the format itself; it was the scheduling of the format.

Recall all those thrilling Saturday matches that inaugurated this year’s postseason? Oh, you don’t? Right, there were no playoff games that Saturday.

Inter Miami launched Round 1 on Friday, Oct. 24. No games followed on Saturday. That Sunday had three matches, Monday had one, Tuesday had one, and even Wednesday had one. The outcome?

A frustratingly piecemeal broadcast schedule that left the casual viewer (the exact demographic MLS needs to engage more) bewildered and out of sync. Another factor? Four teams only received three days of rest between their first two playoff games, while others enjoyed a full week.

MLS’s playoff action should serve as its premier advertisement, but the league significantly fell short of providing the best promotion possible to kick off the playoffs. — Lowery

Player of the round

Lionel Messi | Inter Miami

It’s Messi. Was there ever any uncertainty?

After delivering a remarkable regular season, one that will definitely secure him the first player to win consecutive MVPs in MLS history, Messi brought his brilliance into the playoffs. In Inter Miami’s three encounters against Nashville SC, Messi scored five goals and provided an assist — on a stunning, perfectly Messi-like through ball, no less.

Even without the suspended Luis Suárez for a crucial third match against Nashville on Saturday, Miami didn’t falter. They have Messi to credit for that, whose individual brilliance ignited the scoring in a 4-0 victory, and whose unusually vigorous pressing from the No. 10 position set the stage for a solid defensive effort from the entire team.

At 38, Messi remains as unstoppable now as he was upon his arrival in South Florida during the summer of 2023. Still carrying the sting from Inter’s elimination by Atlanta United FC in last year’s postseason first round — and the club’s struggle in knockout tournaments since the arrival of the Barça stars — Messi displayed eagerness to ignite this year’s playoffs. That was unfortunate news for Nashville and will likely spell trouble for the remainder of the playoff field. — Lowery

Anders Dreyer | San Diego FC

Messi rightfully deserves this round’s award — and the league’s actual MVP award for the regular season — but let’s also acknowledge the San Diego forward who equally merits the spotlight.

After netting what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the first leg against the Portland Timbers, and providing an assist in the second match of the series, the Denmark international stepped up with a brace in a definitive 4-0 triumph on Sunday that ensured progression to the conference semifinals.

Local supporters at Snapdragon Stadium watching that performance would undoubtedly agree upon who the standout player of the round was, as evidenced by their raucous chants of «MVP» following his two goals and during every corner kick he took.

«It was a beautiful game, atmosphere was electric,» said the MLS Newcomer of the Year post-game to Apple TV, aware that he’ll have the chance to shine even brighter when San Diego faces Minnesota in the next round. — Hernandez

Highlight of the round

Loons-Sounders shootout stretches to 11 rounds

Adding to the additional excitement of the best-of-three series, there were six thrilling penalty shootouts that determined the single-match winners of games that ended in deadlock after regulation time.

Vancouver qualified for the next round by winning a shootout, Philadelphia avoided early disaster by claiming their own penalties, but no shootout surpassed the breathtaking series decider between Minnesota and the Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, a match that will be remembered in MLS history.

With goalkeeper Andrew Thomas subbed in for Seattle in the 89th minute as a wild card for the inevitable penalties — who dislocated a finger during the first segment of the shootout — Seattle initially matched the penalties that went to sudden death.

Then the goalkeepers themselves stepped up, reversing roles. The Loons’ Dayne St. Clair converted his attempt, while Thomas confidently approached the spot for Seattle, rocketing his shot toward the net.

However, it unfortunately hit the crossbar and then bounced back past a helpless Thomas. Minnesota triumphed 7-6.

It was stunning, heartbreaking, and euphoric simultaneously. What more could be desired? — Hernandez

Brenner returns to propel Cincy forward

Brenner’s journey with Cincinnati has been nothing short of eventful. Originally signed in 2021 for one of the most significant transfer fees in MLS history, the Brazilian striker showcased some brilliance for Cincy but departed the club in 2023 under less-than-ideal circumstances.

At the last minute of this year’s summer transfer window, however, Brenner made an unexpected comeback to Cincinnati — and during Saturday’s series-deciding Hell Is Real match against rivals Columbus Crew, he emerged bigger than ever.

It was Brenner’s goal that served as the equalizer in front of a sold-out crowd at TQL Stadium, and his game-winner in the 86th minute sent all 25,513 attendees into ecstatic celebration.

After his team created a turnover near the opposing goal, Brenner waited patiently for his chance to strike within the box. He drifted to the ball side, received it, took a deft touch with the outside of his right foot to create space from last year’s Defender of the Year Steven Moriera, and slotted home the final goal of the match. Off came the shirt — and the GPS tracker, for dramatic effect.

In the defining moment of FC Cincinnati’s 2025 season, Brenner returned like a hero and secured his team’s place in the Eastern Conference semifinals. — Lowery