Lesson Learn Anyone can be beat in this year's MLS Cup playoffs. Even the GOAT. Last weekend at Lani United pulled off a what the hell just happened upside over Inter Miami. Now leaving us with no clear favorite to win at all. The Eastern semi-finals begin Saturday, November 23rd with a historic clash. Gritty New York City FC facing off with their rival, New York Rebels in their first ever playoff, Hudson River Derby.
And then at Lani United, Sintelating Cinderella Run hits Orlando City for a duel with the Hungry Lions. Out West, the Marquis matchup. The last number one seed still standing. L.A.F.C. throw down with a stingy Seattle Sounders. While Socao's other Red Hot Club, the L.A.C. galaxy, host a loonside rolling off an upset of their own. There are seven must-see matches remaining before a new champion is crowned. Catch all of these with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
It was 999 for the entire run to Amalus Cup, or free with an Apple TV Plus subscription. Welcome back to Offside with me, Taylor Twelman. So here's the thing, here at Offside, we were supposed to take the week off. And then this. A stutter in the opening round of the Amalus Cup playoffs. The kings of the regular season are gone. Incredible, unbelievable.
As you heard last week in my conversation with the athletics, Felipe Cardinos, I knew this was a possibility, but there was no way I thought it was actually going to happen. In a few of you, our listeners couldn't quite believe it either. And called in about the weekend. Hi, Taylor, Mike, Vian Boren from St. Louis. I can upset just to place this evening with Atlanta winning. Good for them, awesome game overall, especially from New Goldie.
I definitely bummed that both the city and the crew are out. I guess at this point I'm thinking it'll be the galaxy. And probably Atlanta going, though it would be interesting to see if soccer has New York LA final, just like baseball did. Mike, I couldn't believe it. One, considering you're from St. Louis. St. Louis City was the number one seed in the West last year and they lost to their rival sporting Kansas City. And that was an upset, but nothing like this.
And to be honest with you, I think Columbus are kicking themselves because the only bogey team in their mind was in or Miami. And yet they didn't take care of business against the New York rebels. I think it's going to be very interesting to see if whether or not the LA galaxy, if they can, went on the road against LAFC, who I think will beat Seattle Sounders, it could be the LA galaxy's time to win their sixth MLS Cup.
And it would be kind of cool if it's against New York City or the New York rebels. But don't come out or land a city or even Atlanta. Here's another calling. Hi, my name's Tim Melton from Los Angeles. And I have a question about all the upsets in the Eastern Conference. I'm curious if you think that the fact that there are 17 that had 40 or less season points played a part into all the upsets with the Western Conference much closer.
There's only three that had 40 or less points in the regular season. Tim, all I'll say is this. It's why we love sports. It's played on the field and not on paper because if it was on paper, and or Miami would have had that thing won in the blink of an eye. But yet, if you look at their season, Leonardo Messi played 90 minutes in 18 games this year. They only lost three of those games. All three of those were against that Lany and I did.
And it is over in Fort Lauderdale, a potentially season turning win for Atlanta United. Sometimes a team just has your number. And if they're 34 points behind you in the regular season standings. Forget everything that you thought you knew about the MLS Cup playoffs. Every single year, it seems like Murphy's Law is hovering over this competition. That's it for today.
If you want more, check out my Twelman's takes this week on MLS YouTube or find them on Instagram or X at Taylor Twelman or even on TikTok at Taylor Twelman underscore. And as always, email me at offsidepodwithtaylorgmail.com or leave me a message 646-571-8496. We'll keep featuring your calls throughout the rest of the MLS Cup playoffs. We'll be back next week with a special episode about the psychology of the penalty.
Offside with Taylor Twelman is a Major League Soccer podcast produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Our executive producers are Peter Moses and John Yells. Isabel Angel is our editor. Michael Geno is our engineer. Jonah Buchanan and Iggy Monda are our producers. Nick was composed by Brian Decker and I am your host, Taylor Twelman. Follow and listen on Apple Podcast.