Purists be damned: why title-deciding playoffs make soccer sing | Leander Schaerlaeckens

The MLS playoffs have become a spectacle unlike anything seen before - and for good reason. By turning their focus to the postseason, these teams have unlocked a level of excitement that wasn't there in the regular season. It's almost like they're running on autopilot out there.

Take Lionel Messi, the maestro at Inter Miami, who has taken his game to new heights this year but is truly saving the best for last when it comes to the playoffs. His performances have been electrifying, with goals and assists pouring in left and right as he drives his team towards the ultimate goal: an MLS Cup title.

But the playoffs aren't just about individual brilliance - they're also about dramatic comebacks, nail-biting finishes, and plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. The Eastern Conference final between Inter Miami and New York City FC was a case in point, with Messi's team coming from behind to secure a 5-1 victory.

And it's not just Inter Miami that's been delivering. In the Western Conference, Vancouver Whitecaps have staged an epic comeback against San Diego, eventually emerging victorious after their opponents had been reduced to nine men due to red cards and injuries. The drama was palpable as the Whitecaps fought to stay in the game, with Son Heung-min scoring a stunning equalizer that sent it into extra time.

The NWSL has also seen its fair share of excitement, particularly in the Championship final between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit. Gotham's win was a thrilling conclusion to an eventful campaign, which saw them upset two top-seeded teams en route to the title. Theirs is a story that speaks to the unpredictability of playoff football - where anything can happen and everyone has a chance to shine.

Make no mistake, purists will grumble about the changes brought about by these playoffs, but for fans, the sheer entertainment value on offer more than makes up for it. The Twenty-First Group consultancy's insights on "quality, jeopardy, and connection" ring true - playoff games deliver more of those qualities than regular season fixtures.

The real question is: can a team sustain its level of performance over the course of several games? For many, the answer seems to be yes. These playoffs have been a highlight reel of moments that we'll be talking about for years to come. The stage is now set for the final showdown between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps in what promises to be an unforgettable MLS Cup final.

The league table may not hold all the answers, but one thing is certain: the playoffs are here to stay - and they're bringing with them a level of excitement that's been missing from regular season football.

I just got back from the most epic gaming session and I'm still reeling from it! My squad and I were playing this one game where we were down by like, 3-0, but then our star player pulled off an insane comeback and we ended up winning it in overtime . It was such a rush! Anyway, back to football... I'm loving the drama that's unfolding in the playoffs. The twists and turns are keeping me on the edge of my seat . Reminds me of when I binge-watched that last season of "Stranger Things" – you just can't look away from a thrilling plot!

I'm totally loving this new energy in the MLS playoffs ! It's like a whole different league when it comes down to the final push . I mean, who wouldn't want to see Messi and Son Heung-min conjuring up magic on the pitch? ️ And that Eastern Conference final was insane – I was on the edge of my seat the entire time ! The drama, the comebacks, the nail-biting finishes... it's like a thrill ride every single game . Of course, there are gonna be some purists who complain about the changes, but honestly, I think the extra excitement is what makes this league so special . Now, can these teams keep up the level of performance? That's the question... but from where I'm standing, it's definitely looking bright ️!

The playoffs in the MLS have truly become something special ! I mean, who doesn't love watching Messi play? He's like a magician out there, scoring goals left and right. But what really gets me is how these teams seem to come alive when it matters most. The drama, the tension, the thrill of victory - it's all just so captivating . And let's not forget about those incredible comebacks! I was on the edge of my seat when Vancouver Whitecaps fought back against San Diego, and Gotham FC's win over Washington Spirit was just pure magic . I'm loving every minute of this playoff season, and I think fans are feeling the same way . Now, let's see how these teams hold up in the final stages... can they keep the magic going?

I'm so glad I get to watch teams "running on autopilot" in the playoffs . Like, who needs strategy when you've got Messi leading the charge? And don't even get me started on the drama - it's all just a bit too much for this fan's taste . I mean, nine men down and still managing to score an equalizer? Son Heung-min is a genius, but what about the rest of his team's game plan?

But hey, at least the NWSL championship was exciting . Maybe we can finally say that women's soccer is on par with the men's league . And yes, purists might grumble about the changes, but let's be real - the playoffs are where it's at .

I'm just hoping these teams can actually make it to the final without totally imploding . Can they sustain their level of performance over several games? Only time (and a lot of adrenaline) will tell . Bring on the MLS Cup final - let's see if Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps can deliver

I'm so stoked about how the MLS playoffs have turned out this year! It's like the teams are finally feeling the pressure and it's leading to some insane comebacks and drama-filled matches . The Eastern Conference final between Inter Miami and NYCFC was absolute pandemonium, with Messi literally conjuring magic on the pitch .

And let's be real, who doesn't love a good underdog story? The Vancouver Whitecaps' epic comeback against San Diego FC is going to go down in history as one of the greatest playoff moments ever . Not to mention the NWSL Championship final between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit – what a thrilling conclusion to an eventful campaign!

Of course, some purists might say that the playoffs change the game too much, but for fans like me, it's all about the excitement and unpredictability . The league table may not hold all the answers, but one thing is certain: these playoffs are here to stay and they're bringing a level of entertainment value that we've been missing from regular season football .

Now, I'm curious to see how teams will sustain their momentum over several games – can anyone keep up this level of performance? Only time will tell!

I'm so hyped for the playoffs right now lol , like Messi taking his game to new heights is insane! Inter Miami's squad is on fire and I love how the Eastern Conference final was just a highlight reel of dramatic comebacks. The NWSL Championship was a wild ride too , Gotham FC's win is pure magic . Can't wait for the MLS Cup final, Vancouver Whitecaps vs Inter Miami should be EPIC

lol the mls playoffs are def living up to their hype i mean who doesn't love a good comeback story? son heung-min's equalizer in the eastern conference final was insane and inter milan's performance is just incredible, messi's still playing like a maestro but seriously, can these teams keep it up over multiple games? only time will tell

OMG I am FREAKING OUT!!! The playoffs have been insane this year ! Like, I know some people might say it's not as good as the regular season, but COME ON!!! There's just something about the drama and excitement of the playoffs that makes the game so much more thrilling. And let's be real, who doesn't love watching Messi do his thing on the field? He's like a magician out there! I'm seriously hyped for the MLS Cup final now - it's going to be EPIC!!! Can you even handle the suspense of not knowing what's going to happen next?!

Man... i think its crazy how much more exciting the playoffs r than the reg season... like people say thats just part of the nature of competition, but i think its more than that. its about the human side of it too. you see teams going all in, leaving everything on the pitch, and its just so inspiring to watch. and the drama! oh man, the drama is where its at . like son heung-mins equalizer was insane, i mean who doesnates a goal from 2 yards out in extra time? thats what makes this stuff so great. but yeah, can teams sustain it over multiple games? that's the real question. and i think thats whats gonna make the mls cup final so epic... its not just about the two teams playing each other, its about who can stay on fire

I mean, who needs a regular season when you can have all the drama and suspense crammed into a short playoff run? It's like they're trying to pack in as much tension as possible. And don't even get me started on the Eastern Conference final - 5-1 is just a little too easy. I'm actually kinda enjoying this whole playoffs thing, though. The underdog stories are pretty compelling, and it's nice to see teams that haven't been as successful in the past making deep runs. But, I guess only time will tell if they can sustain their energy throughout the postseason... or if we'll be left wondering what could've been.

idk why ppl say playoffs r more exciting than reg season... its just an extra game every week i mean dont get me wrong, the drama is real but its just one team vs another in 90 min and at the end of it all its still a 3 pt win or nothing kinda feelin plus theres the logistics of traveling and recovering between games... teams cant be fresh and hungry for every single match give me a regular season schedule any day where u get to see ur team play 38 matches and actually build chemistry

idk about this whole playoff hype , it's like teams are just phoning it in during the reg season ... but for real tho, when they turn on the postseason switch, it's like a whole different story .. mcmessi is on fire right now and i'm hyped to see what he can do in the final . also love how unexpected comebacks are just a norm now, makes the reg season so boring by comparison . NWSL final was epic tho!

I'm low-key loving this new era of the MLS playoffs ! It's like watching a whole new team come out of nowhere when the stakes are high, you know? The drama, the twists, and the turns... it's like a movie reel of epic moments . I mean, Messi is a beast right now , but it's not just about individual greatness – it's about the collective effort of the whole team coming together to achieve something special. And that's what makes this time of year so exciting! The unpredictability, the upsets... it's like anything can happen . Bring on the final showdown between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps – I'm hyped to see how they'll wrap up the season !

I'm so hyped about the current state of the MLS playoffs . It's like each game is a rollercoaster ride, you never know what's gonna happen next. I mean take Inter Miami and their amazing comeback against NYCFC, it was insane! Messi is on fire right now and Vancouver Whitecaps' epic win over San Diego was so thrilling. The drama, the twists, it's like they're creating these incredible stories that we get to witness. I'm loving every minute of it .

But what's crazy is how well teams have performed in these playoffs. Like, Inter Miami didn't even dominate their league during the regular season and yet Messi still finds a way to win games . And then there are the NWSL playoffs, they're just as exciting with Gotham FC's Cinderella story being one of them. The unpredictability is what makes it so great.

I think fans like us know that this is more than just about the teams playing each other, it's about the experience we get to have watching our favorite players give their all . So even if some purists might complain about the changes, I'm all for it . Bring on the excitement and suspense of the playoffs, bring on the MLS Cup final!

omg what a wild ride these playoffs have been i mean come on 5-1 comeback against NYCFC is insane son heung-min is a genius for scoring that equalizer in extra time and let's not forget messi taking it to the next level he's like a maestro out there, controlling the game like nobody's business but seriously who thought 5 games would be enough for the championship? isn't it time for some more playoff format changes so teams don't get destroyed after 2-3 games

I'm so stoked about how the playoffs have turned out this year ! The drama, the comebacks, the individual brilliance... it's all just so captivating! I mean, who wouldn't want to watch Messi and his team ride a wave of form into the final? And that Vancouver Whitecaps comeback against San Diego was pure madness . It's not about the regular season being boring or anything - playoffs are where the real magic happens, imo. Plus, it's cool how these new formats have brought in all the excitement and unpredictability we've been missing. Can't wait for the MLS Cup final!

I'm loving the increased drama in the MLS playoffs ! It's like they're playing on steroids or something . But seriously, these performances are insane. Messi is basically unstoppable right now . The way he's carrying his team to the finals is inspiring.

However, I do have some reservations about how sustainable this level of performance is going to be. We've seen teams crash and burn in previous playoff runs . Can these teams maintain the same level of energy over 5-6 games? It's a tough ask.

The NWSL has also been on fire, but I'm not sure how much of that is due to actual quality vs. just being in a weaker conference . Either way, it's great for fans and brings more excitement to the table.

Overall, I think these playoffs are here to stay, but we need to see some consistency from teams going forward . Fingers crossed they can deliver! ️

Yooo, gotta say i'm loving the vibes of this mls playoff season ! Its like the teams are just feeding off each other energy now, you know? Inter Miami's Messi is straight fire and Vancouver Whitecaps' Son Heung-min is a total superstar . And can we talk about how crazy Gotham FC's comeback story was in the NWSL Championship final? I mean, they took down two top-seeded teams to get there and still managed to pull off that epic win. The entertainment value is for real . Fingers crossed Inter Miami and Whitecaps put on a show in the MLS Cup final!

️ I'm loving how passionate the fans are about these playoffs! It's amazing how it brings out the best in teams and players . I mean, Messi taking his game to new heights this time around is insane ! The comebacks and dramatic finishes have been so thrilling, especially that epic match between Inter Miami and NYCFC .

And yeah, some purists might grumble about the changes, but honestly, who needs 'quality' football when you can have entertainment on tap? I'm all for it! What's exciting is seeing teams perform under pressure and really showcasing their skills. The unpredictability of playoff games is what makes them so thrilling.

Can't wait to see how Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps go up against each other in the final showdown . It'll be a real nail-biter, I'm sure!