Your Friday Kickoff: Will Orlando and Galaxy secure conference semifinal spots tonight?

Round one resumes tonight

Tonight is round one again. Never count the home team in MLS, right?

Hey, remind me what happened in Game 1?

The Lions were all over Charlotte in Game 1. Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda both found the net and Orlando outscored The Crown 1.9 xG to 0.8. Orlando made 17 shots to Charlotte’s eight. Charlotte had some decent chances, but the Lions were in control from start to finish here.

Unfortunately for Charlotte, DP No. 10 Pep Biel couldn’t control his emotions at the end of the match. He picked up a red card in stoppage time of a match that had already been decided and will miss tonight’s must-win match.

Who are the main actors tonight?

It’s important to continue to point out that Orlando’s turnaround this season has almost directly coincided with them handing the key to the No. 10 spot in the 4-2-3-1 lineup to Martin Ojeda. He’s not an MVP-caliber chance creator or a box-crasher who scores big goals, but he’s been good to great at everything he’s supposed to be good to great at. His non-penalty xG + xA numbers per 90 put him in the 86th percentile among other attacking midfielders in MLS this season. That’s all they needed from him.

That, in turn, has helped Facundo Torres to flourish. The Uruguayan has scored seven times in his last 10 games and appears to be performing in the way Orlando always hoped, at just the right time.

In the meantime, Charlotte will have to adjust a bit without Biel. That probably means turning to winger Kerwin Vargas, but a small part of me hopes they do something unexpected and get Patrick Agyemang into the starting lineup. Mainly because we just love Patrick Agyemang.

However, that is a difficult question. You don’t want to do anything to accidentally slow down Karol Swiderski, who has flourished as Charlotte’s No. 9 since returning to Carolina. Swiderski has six goals and two assists in nine starts.

Whatever they do, someone will have to step up to ensure Biel’s absence is not felt.

Is there a chance for Game 3?

Certainly! Orlando is as hot as anyone, but Charlotte also came into the playoffs on an upward trajectory. They were outclassed on the road in Game 1, but many teams were. That’s exactly how MLS works. Now Charlotte can head back home to what will likely be one of the biggest crowds in MLS this year and try to put on a show in their first home playoff game. Even without Biel – who, to be fair, hasn’t been overwhelming anyway – they have a chance to dig their heels in and get this back to Orlando. It’s a tough question, but more often than not, home teams go to the home team.

Hey, remind me what happened in Game 1?

There is nothing safe for your children to read about.

The Galaxy delivered one of the worst playoff beatdowns in recent memory last week. Dejan Joveljić and Riqui Puig each scored a brace as LA powered their way to a 5-0 win. You and I had the exact same number of shots on goal as the Rapids in that game. The final xG count ended up at 2.2 to 0.0. Colorado did indeed make a shot, but it came from about 30 yards away. So.

Yes, the Rapids are feeling a little overcooked.

Who are the main actors tonight?

I don’t need to remind you of Joveljic, Puig, Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil. One of the most dynamic attacking groups we’ve ever seen in MLS should be fully prepared to end this early in Colorado.

Then again… I mean, based on Game 1, it’s goaltender Zack Steffen who will likely have to stop a lot of shots if things don’t turn around soon. Like, a lot.

Is there a chance for Game 3?

Look, we’re not trying to be too dismissive here. You can’t count a home team, especially at altitude. But we all saw what happened in Game 1 and we all saw what’s been going on with the Rapids in recent weeks. They look mentally and physically gassed. Their run to third place in the Leagues Cup earned them a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup, but it also cost them the wind out of their sails.

I think this is a fair trade for this group in a season where no one really knew where to set expectations. Unfortunately, it is not conducive to winning a play-off series against an elite attacking team.

Yes, there is a chance. It’s just not a big one.

Good luck there. Wear appropriate clothing for the occasion.