12 teams, one dream.
The 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs begin today with a pair of Knockout Round matches. Fortunately for Whitecaps FC fans, we get to sit and watch as the 'Caps get a bye and await the results.
All four Knockout Round matches will be aired live on TSN or TSN2, so here's your viewing guide for each fixture.
- Visit whitecapsfc.com/playoffs for ticket info, important dates, and more!
Remember, there are three teams we'll be following with keen interest. The 'Caps face the Portland Timbers if they win versus Sporting Kansas City on Thursday. If Kansas City win, the 'Caps will take on the winner of the Seattle Sounders FC versus LA Galaxy match on Wednesday.
And while you're on the couch, get your tickets for the Conference Semifinals to witness the 'Caps run at bringing home the MLS Cup.
D.C. United vs. New England Revolution
RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, DC
Wednesday | 4:30 p.m. PT | TSN2
D.C. United enter the playoffs after suffering a 5-0 defeat at Columbus Crew on Decision Day, costing them second place in the Eastern Conference and a Knockout Round bye. They face a New England Revolution side that is looking to repeat last season’s MLS Cup Final appearance, winning 3-1 in their regular season finale at New York City FC to stop a four-match winless slide.
- The two sides met twice this season, drawing 1-1 at Gillette Stadium on May 23 with Charlie Davies and Jairo Arrieta trading goals. On June 21, Davies once again opened the scoring for the Revs, but Chris Rolfe recorded a second-half brace to give United a 2-1 home win.
- D.C. United lead their all-time series with a 30W-26L-10D record.
- Top goal-scorers: DCU: Chris Rolfe (10), NER: Charlie Davies (10)
Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Wednesday | 7 p.m. PT | TSN2
Seattle Sounders FC roll into the postseason undefeated since August 22 to face defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy in a rematch of last season’s tightly-contested Western Conference Finals that LA won via the away goals rule. This is the fourth time in the last six seasons the two sides are meeting in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
- The Galaxy went undefeated in the season series, winning twice at home (1-0 on April 12 and 3-1 on August 9) and drawing at Seattle (1-1 on October 4). Alan Gordon provided a first-half match-winner in the first meeting and Giovani dos Santos scored his first MLS goal and added an assist in the rematch in LA. The Galaxy looked primed to sweep the season series when the scene shifted to CenturyLink Field in October, before Chad Barrett got loose for a dramatic equalizer in added time to allow the Sounders to salvage a point in the series.
- LA lead the all-time series with an 8W-4L-6D record.
- Top goal-scorers: SEA: Obafemi Martins (15), LAG: Robbie Keane (20)
Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC
Stade Saputo, Montreal, QC
Thursday | 4 p.m. PT | TSN
The 401 Derby spills over to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time when Montreal Impact host Toronto FC, who are making their postseason debut. Stars collide as 2015 MLS Golden Boot winner Sebastian Giovinco and Didier Drogba, both of whom have taken the league by storm as newcomers this season, go toe-to-toe to carry their respective sides to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
- The Impact earned the right to host the Knockout Round fixture with their 2-1 win over The Reds on Decision Day. Giovinco assisted on a Jozy Altidore goal to open the scoring right before the halftime whistle, but Drogba responded with a pair of backheel flicks in the second half to give Montreal the result. Toronto FC won their two previous matches this season (3-1 on June 24 and 2-1 on August 29), with Altidore and Michael Bradley both finding the net in each win.
- Toronto FC lead the all-time series with a 5W-3L-3D record.
- Top goal-scorers: MTL: Didier Drogba (11), TOR: Sebastian Giovinco (22)
Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City
Providence Park, Portland, OR
Thursday | 7 p.m. PT | TSN
Portland Timbers ride a three-match winning streak into their Knockout Round date with Sporting Kansas City, who won 2-1 in an emotional do-or-die Decision Day match versus LA Galaxy to clinch a postseason spot. The Timbers look to be peaking at the right time, while SKC have lacked consistency as of late. Kansas City hope they can still regain their form from June to July when they rattled off five wins in six outings.
- If their three-match regular season series is any indication, expect this matchup to be a knockout, drag-out affair as the two sides took 263 minutes before a goal was scored. The first two matches were scoreless draws, and the last one on October 3 looked to be fated for the same result before SKC’s Krisztian Nemeth snuck in the game-winner in the 83rd minute.
- Sporting KC lead the all-time series with a 4W-2L-2D record.
- Top goal-scorers: POR: Fanendo Adi (16), SKC: Dom Dwyer (12)
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are now on sale. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
