Atlanta United
By Hernan Gutierrez
Due to the many offseason moves, critics remain skeptical of Atlanta United’s ability to repeat as MLS Cup champions. They lost South American wonder Miguel Almirón to English side Newcastle in a record transfer. On top of that, head coach Tata Martino decided to leave to coach the Mexican men’s national team.
Despite the transactions, it still kept MLS single season goal record holder Josef Martinez. He has proven to be key to their offense so far scoring 26 goals in MLS games. On top of that, Martinez has an active 11-game scoring streak.
Supporting Martinez in the midfield are some key players, including Julian Gressel and Gonzalo Martínez. Both have done a phenomenal job leading the team in assists. On top of being able to set up Martinez, both Gressel and Gonzalo lead the midfielders in goals scored, proving that Atlanta has goal power outside of Martinez.
It won’t be an easy road for Atlanta. The United currently sit third in the Eastern Conference standings. However, with only one real tough matchup against the current conference leader New York City FC remaining, Atlanta has the opportunity to get hot right before the playoffs.
In addition to winning the MLS Cup last year, Atlanta United has momentum built up this season from amazing performances in other competitions. They beat Minnesota United in the 2019 US Open Cup. They also are currently the only MLS side to beat a Mexican team in a competitive final in the 2019 Campones Cup.
On top of all the momentum they have, they have proven they can beat Western Conference sides. Recently, they have shut out the Portland Timbers, the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo.
LAFC has clearly been the most dominant team throughout the season, but they will choke. Dominating teams are often upset in the playoffs and the same will happen in 2019.
Ultimately, after winning the MLS Cup in 2018, keeping some key players and building some great momentum, I believe that the Atlanta United is set up for another successful MLS Cup run in 2019.
LAFC
By Mitch Kaminski
Much remains to be decided with just three weeks left in the MLS season, but first place in the Western Conference standings is not one of them. Los Angeles Football Club’s record stands at a league best 19-4-6. The team clinched first place and a first round playoff bye in turn.
The best in the West will soon prove to be the best in U.S. professional soccer. LAFC is my pick to win the MLS Cup.
Not only has the team clinched the West, but also they have the best record in the entire league. Despite its late-season struggles, LAFC needs just nine points in its final five games to break the MLS single-season points record of 71.
By finishing with the league’s best record (and barring an implosion of epic proportions, they will) LAFC will be guaranteed home-field advantage throughout the postseason. That’s a big perk for a team that is 11-1-2 at Banc of California Stadium, where it sold out all 32 MLS games it played there. It also allows them to avoid a trip to Mercedes Benz Stadium, the home of the defending champs, Atlanta United FC.
With 76 goals, LAFC needs just 10 more to break the league record in the category. Its explosive offense is led by Carlos Vela, who is looking to break a scoring record of his own.
Vela has 28 goals in 27 matches this season, a total that has him on track to challenge the single season record of 31 goals set by Atlanta’s Josef Martinez in 2018.
With a four-goal lead in the race for the 2019 Golden Boot, which includes Martinez as the closest challenger, Vela is favored to claim that honor as we hit the final stretch of the regular season.
Vela is also just five assists shy of 20 and if he reaches the mark, it would make him the first MLS player with 20 goals and 20 assists in the same season. If Vela and his teammate Diego Rossi combine for two more goals they will become the most prolific teammates in league history with 44 scores.
For all these reasons LAFC, will win the franchise’s first MLS Cup later this fall.
