Alexi Lalas has never been one to keep his opinions a secret. Many of us still watch his entertaining (and somewhat prophetic) rant when the USMNT started to falter in the qualifications for the 2018 World Cup. Love him or hate him, the now-retired American defender is always good for a nice hot take.
As an analyst for Fox Sports, Lalas was tasked with constructing his own MLS Cup Playoff bracket and offering his predictions. The team he has winning the Cup? New York City FC!
For the first knockout rounds, Lalas predicts all home teams advancing to the the conference semifinals. A bit bold, but believable.
In the conference semifinals, NYCFC dispatches of pesky Toronto FC at home while Atlanta United logs a huge road win against the Philadelphia Union — that’s your Eastern Conference Final. Meanwhile, in the west, LAFC beat Minnesota United while the Seattle Sounders edge out FC Dallas.
Lalas then predicts that LAFC advances to the final in a close matchup with the Sounders, while New York City slips past Atlanta making it an LA-v-NYC MLS Cup final.
Despite LAFC being huge favorites and the hosts of the cup final, Lalas senses they “blow it” against Domé Torrent’s Blues giving NYCFC their first-ever MLS Cup.
Boy, do I hope you’re right, Alexi. I really do.
