A too-soon MLS playoff preview of the final eight teams
We're down to eight teams, who will kick off their playoff series a full month after the playoffs commenced. (We should probably do something about this format.)
playoffs
21 Posts
At the Whistle: Austin FC 1, LAFC 4
After neutralizing Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga in the first 2025 playoff matchup between the teams, Verde couldn't do the same in this one.
How aggressive will they be? Assessing Austin FC's strategy in a do-or-die playoff match
Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez says his team is ready to play aggressively as they aim to extend their season at least one more match. But he also makes a case they were aggressive in a loss in which they only had two shots on target.
Numbers and predictions: Assessing the MLS playoffs as they stand
Which playoff matchups will advance to a third and deciding game? And why does one of them involve Will Bruin?
The Thursday Three: Assessing a playoff performance leaving Austin FC 90 minutes from elimination
Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez indicated this is a team that can learn from losing. They'll have a few days to do that prior to what could be their final match of the season.
At the Whistle: LAFC 2, Austin FC 1
Austin FC went down early, brought the match back level in the second half, and then ultimately lost the playoff series opener.
Foreign Exchange: Three questions for the Austin FC-LAFC playoff series with Justin Ruderman
You know LAFC. But you don't really know this version of LAFC. Let's address that with someone who knows the team well.
Here comes Son; it's all right: Nico Estévez contemplates Austin FC's first round
Austin FC has faced LAFC twice this season, but not the LAFC with Son Heung-min on it. Head coach Nico Estévez gave some indication as to how his team will try to contain him.
Austin FC 2025 first-round playoff schedule announced
Get ready for matches starting a week from Wednesday. Also, Austin's guaranteed a Sunday evening home match for its postseason appearance.
'We need to be better': Moving past a Decision Day loss into the playoffs
Verde finished the season with 37 goals and a -8 goal differential. But they got wins when they needed them — including a key win over San Jose preceding this rematch loss.
Your Austin FC-centric guide to Decision Day 2025
You'll know by around 10 pm Saturday night who Austin will face in the 2025 MLS Playoffs. You'll be better prepared to watch Saturday's matches after reading this guide.
How they earned it: Six victories crucial to Austin FC making the 2025 MLS playoffs
As the maxim goes, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some of the best milestones along the way en route to Verde's second-ever playoff appearance.