Four teams will book their places in MLS’ Conference Finals. For four more teams, the 2016 season will end. Sunday’s quadruple header of playoff action might be the best MLS viewing day of the year. Here’s what to watch for.

Colorado v. LA Galaxy

First Leg: LA 1, Colorado 0

What to Expect: The first leg of this tie in Carson last Sunday played out mostly as expected: LA dominated territorially, but the Rapids’ defense hung tough.

But the Galaxy did breakthrough midway through the second half, and it was an important goals. It means that the Rapids will have to play from behind on Sunday, which isn’t what they’re built to do well.

That said, Colorado won’t panic. They’ve made their living this year by winning close games at home – usually doing their damage in the second half, when the altitude becomes an issue. LA was victimized by a 95th minute Marco Pappa winner way back in March.

The Rapids should also have Jermaine Jones making his first start since the fourth of July. Jones should spark the offense, but he could also be disruptive to an LA midfield that was extremely comfortable last Sunday against Sam Cronin and Michael Azira.

Bruce Arena, who has already benched Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard in the last two weeks, will have to decide how aggressively to play on Sunday – knowing that a single away goal would surely be enough for his team to advance.

The Pick: Colorado almost won the Supporters’ Shield purely on the strength of getting 1-0 home wins. I think they’ll do that again on Sunday, but lose out in extra time. The Galaxy are finally hitting their stride. LA advances.

 

New York Red Bulls v. Montreal

First Leg: Montreal 1, New York 0

What to Expect: The Red Bulls went into the first leg of their series against Montreal last weekend having not lost a game since the second of July, so, in vintage Metro form, they lost the first leg 1-0.

Montreal did plenty of things well. Their midfield triumvirate of Patrice Bernier, Marco Donadel, and Hernan Bernadello – one of the league’s most cultured – ran the game and kept Sacha Kljestan extremely quiet.

The Impact also got an unusually sound performance out of Victor Cabrera next to Laurent Ciman. That said, the result could easily have swung the other way. Mauro Mancosu scored a wonder goal for Montreal, while Bradley Wright-Phillips missed an open net for the Red Bulls in the dying moments.

The Red Bulls should be alright. They’ve been the best team in the league by a mile since the summer. Gonzalo Veron, after a bright cameo at Stade Saputo, could see significant time.

There’s also the small matter of Didier Drogba, whose return to fitness this week has coincided with Mancosu pulling up lame in a training session. And this being Drogba, you have a feeling his career won’t end on the bench.

The Pick: Montreal seems very much to have figured things out, but I don’t think their defense can play another game as clean as the one they played last weekend. New York at Red Bull Arena has been the surest bet in the league this year. The Red Bulls advance with a statement 3-0 win.

 

New York City FC v. Toronto

First Leg: Toronto 2, New York City 0

What to Expect: Patrick Vieira, after a season’s worth of swashbuckling, idealistic soccer, blinked last Sunday. Before NYCFC’s first ever playoff game, he changed his goalkeeper, started three holding midfielders, and set his team up to try and escape BMO Field with a 0-0 draw.

They almost made it. Instead, late goals from Jozy Altidore and Tosaint Ricketts have New York City staring down the barrel ahead of this Sunday’s second leg at Yankee Stadium.

Vieira was crushed for his sudden reversion to cynicism, and rightfully so. NYCFC have been terrific all year on the road because they’ve put teams under pressure. Throw in the outsize value of away goals, and you have a strange decision.

That said, the 2-0 deficit make things pretty simple: NYCFC will have to attack on Sunday – Vieira could have Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, and Tommy McNamara all back in the starting lineup.

Toronto is playing some of its best soccer of the season, with oft-maligned center back Erik Zavaleta coming up especially big last Sunday.

There’s plenty of juice between these two teams, who almost brawled at the full-time whistle last weekend. The failure of the MLS Disciplinary Committee to suspend David Villa for a kick-out at Armando Cooper in the first half has only raised the temperature further.

The claustrophobic confines of Yankee Stadium won’t help to diffuse matters. It could be quite a ride.

The Pick: NYCFC will get its chances, but, as is their wont to do, they’ll also give them up. 2-2 draw, and Toronto advances 4-2 on aggregate.

 

Dallas v. Seattle

First Leg: Seattle 3, Dallas 0

What to Expect: Like Patrick Vieira, Oscar Pareja also made an out-of-character move before leg one: He trotted out a lineup with five defenders.

It didn’t work. Dallas was cut to ribbons by Jordan Morris’ speed and Nicolas Lodeiro’s creativity. Seattle got three goals in seven minutes at the beginning of the second half, and Brian Schmetzer got his interim tag removed.

It must be said that Pareja’s options are extremely limited with Mauro Diaz out. He’ll either go 4-4-2 on Sunday, or opt for a 4-2-3-1 with aging former Sounder Mauro Rosales in Diaz’s #10 spot.

Seattle just has to stay composed. Their backline has been exceptional since Roman Torres slid in next to Chad Marshall at center back. Schmetzer might want to get a start out of Brad Evans before the conference finals, but, at this point, do you really want to take Nelson Valdez out of the lineup?

The Pick: Without Diaz, without Castillo, and without an away goal for support, this is too big an ask for a Dallas team that has still had one of the great seasons in league history. They’ll win the game 2-1, but lose on aggregate. Seattle advances.