The Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs have arrived which means there’s no rest for the weary, as eight MLS teams kick off postseason action in the Knockout Round on Wednesday and Thursday. It all comes down to one game and with little separating the clubs, home-field advantage becomes all the more important.
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Historically, home-field advantage has played a huge role in the Knockout Round, with the home team winning the one-off game over 83 percent of the time. An away team hasn’t come away with a victory in the Knockout Round since 2012, a feat that has been accomplished only twice in league history.
Each conference will see three teams back in the Knockout Round from last year, with two clubs, LA Galaxy and Toronto FC, earning the chance to host this time around. With great odds on their side, are wins for LA, Toronto, D.C United and Seattle Sounders FC already a forgone conclusion?
LA Galaxy looks to reverse Knockout Round fortunes with its renowned home cooking
The winningest club in MLS history and five-time MLS Cup champions look to overcome last season’s Knockout Round woes when its hosts West #6 seed Real Salt Lake on Wednesday at StubHub Center (10:30 p.m. ET, UniMas). After falling on the road to Seattle in 2015, the Galaxy (West #3) hope home-field advantage can improve the team’s Knockout Round record, currently sitting at 1-1 all-time.
2016 LA Galaxy Player of the Year Giovani dos Santos was one of only two players league wide to record double digit goals (14) and assists (12) this season in which LA compiled an impressive 8-1-8 record at home, including a 5-2 win over the Claret-and-Cobalt on April 23. The Galaxy have put up impressive numbers at home, going 202-76-70 all-time in the regular season.
2009 MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake is making its first ever appearance in the playoff Knockout Round after breaking a seven year playoff streak in 2015. LA claims the upper hand vs. RSL in the postseason with a 3-1-1 all-time record, winning 5-0 in aggregate the last time the two teams faced off in the 2014 Western Conference semifinals.
