The MLS conference semifinals begin Thursday night with two huge games.
First, Philadelphia Union, the Eastern Conference’s top seed, faces No. 5 seed FC Cincinnati, a team constructed in the Union’s image.
Then, Wales international and former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale leads LAFC against Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and the LA Galaxy in a West semifinal.
LAFC and Union are the favorite and second favorite in the MLS Cup futures market, but history tells us the MLS postseason is unpredictable.