The MLS 2023 playoffs get underway on Wednesday night when the brackets for the two Conferences are completed when four teams battle it out in the wildcard round on what has everything needed to be a dramatic night of football.
As has been the case in the regular season, both matches will be shown live and in full on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass but if you are not a subscriber to that you will be able to watch them on the bookmaker live streaming service.
New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte FC (00.30)
We begin the postseason in the Eastern Conference where we will find out which one of the New York Red Bulls and Charlotte FC will keep their campaign alive and head into a best-of-three tussle with FC Cincinnati in the first round of the playoffs when those two meet at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night.
I think the word to describe the season of both of these teams is inconsistent and that is never a help when it comes to betting. The Red Bulls arrive into this match off the back of four wins from their last five regular season matches and were minutes away from their season ending before they earned a late penalty at Nashville in their final game of the campaign to keep themselves alive. Charlotte FC got themselves into a situation where they needed to win three of their last four matches at least to extend their season and they were able to pick up those victories so they have shown they can get the job done when the pressure is on them. That bodes well for them although all three wins came against sides who are now done for the season. That makes me think that the home side might be the ones to come through but there isn’t much between these two and I would be surprised if this is anything but very tight. I wouldn’t be surprised if spot kicks are needed here so I’ll watch this one rather than bet on it.
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Sporting Kansas City vs San Jose Earthquakes (02.30)
The second match of the night will complete the Western Conference bracket when we find out who will go up against St Louis City SC in a best-of-three clash as Sporting Kansas City take on the San Jose Earthquakes at Children’s Mercy Park.
Sporting Kansas City have been a little all or nothing in recent times but having spent the entire season on the outside looking in, they will be delighted to have snatched their spot in the postseason at the last minute and now they will be looking to make the most of the opportunity. They go up against a San Jose Earthquakes side who spent most of the season in the top six in the West but laboured in the last 10 matches and in the end clung onto their playoff spot by a solitary point. They might think that they have nothing to lose from here on in and can head to Kansas City and give this a real good go but their away record does nothing to inspire confidence. They won just two of 17 matches on their travels in the regular season and only scored 14 goals in that time so a significant improvement is going to be needed if they are to pull off what would have to be described as an upset. In contrast, Sporting KC have won five of their last seven home matches and are enjoying playing in front of their own crowd. They have plenty of playoff experience and I would be very surprised if they don’t cruise into a best of three against rivals St Louis. KC for me in this one.
Tips
Back Sporting Kansas City to beat San Jose Earthquakes for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
