The 2019 MLS Cup playoffs begin with Round 1 kicking off Saturday. ESPN.com Illustration

The international break has come and gone, meaning the revamped MLS Cup playoffs are about to kick off. A 14-team field, single elimination all the way to MLS Cup, no more international breaks interrupting the postseason in its most dramatic moments -- the 2019 playoffs have a fresh, vibrant feel. With that buzz firmly established, we break down each of the six Round 1 matchups, which start Saturday.

Jump to: Atlanta vs. New England | Seattle vs. Dallas | Toronto vs. D.C. | Salt Lake vs. Portland | Philadelphia vs. Red Bulls | Minnesota vs. Galaxy

2. Atlanta United vs. 7. New England Revolution

1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 19

Backstory: Atlanta United are the defending champions and remain among the best teams man-for-man in MLS. Despite a coaching change and the sale of Miguel Almiron, the Five Stripes maintained their elite club status. Nothing short of an MLS Cup will do for a club that sets such a high standard.

The Revs are lucky -- and perhaps happy -- just to be here. The achievement for New England was turning around a mess of a season after the arrival of Bruce Arena in May. Arena brought a new attitude with him, coinciding with strong investment from ownership. For New England, it's mostly about the future.

Playoff path: Atlanta's run to second place in the East and home-field advantage for at least two rounds did not come easily. The early-season adjustment period for new boss Frank de Boer nearly undermined the campaign. A strong defensive record and the goal scoring of Josef Martinez carried the team through.

New England managed to win only two of its last 10 games and still make the postseason. Abetted by a poor group behind them in the standings, the Revs pulled off their miracle largely by limiting losses. From May 11 to Decision Day, New England lost only three times.

Connecting thread: The most obvious common denominator between Atlanta and New England is in their ownership. Both clubs are controlled by groups with NFL interests and play in massive NFL stadiums. In that similarity is also contrast: While Atlanta has turned itself into a leading light of MLS, the Revs are still working out how ambitious they want to be.

Tactical contrast: In De Boer's possession-focused system, Atlanta will aim to control the ball while looking for ways to exploit diagonal runs and the work of wing players. Julian Gressel is especially adept at late runs into dangerous areas and has the intelligence to make good decisions in and near the box.

The Revs figure to use their high press to try to force mistakes that can be turned into scoring chances. The Decision Day matchup will serve as data for Arena to tweak the height of his line and the intensity of the press. Despite the scoreline, New England made things difficult for Atlanta in midfield and could use that tactic again.

Headaches: Martinez's remarkable recovery removes one problem for De Boer, but an injury to Miles Robinson, the center back picked up with the U.S., creates another. Atlanta's manager must juggle his back line and assess the risk of inserting a replacement without Robinson's athleticism or quality on the ball.

New England's biggest headache is overcoming history. The Revs have never beaten Atlanta United in five meetings and will be firm underdogs Saturday. The energy in Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be intense, and it will behoove the visitors to find a way to quiet the crowd early.

Star man: Martinez's record run of goals in 15 straight games speaks to his incredible ability. The knee injury he suffered on Sept. 21 looked like a heavy blow to Atlanta's championship chances. His return to the field and scoring against New England on Decision Day put the Five Stripes back in the hunt.

Gustavo Bou has shouldered the goal-scoring load since joining, but the Revs' most influential player is midfielder Carles Gil. The Spaniard scored 10 goals and collected 14 assists in 2019, leading New England in both categories. The best attacking moments typically run through Gil.

Where it will be won: On Decision Day, the Revs tried to clog up the midfield and had a modicum of success. Altanta's posture -- will it be willing to let the Revs have the ball -- and New England's midfield press will determine the outcome.

X factor: It seems odd to call Gressel an X factor at this point, but the German midfielder is so often the player who springs the United attack or arrives to fire home a shot that he remains the first name that comes to mind for the label.

- Stream MLS games LIVE on ESPN+

- MLS Cup playoffs 2019: All you need to know

- N. Davis: NYCFC found life after Villa. Can they win MLS Cup?

- Lindberg: How Minnesota rose from doormat to dark horse

- A lion among men: Where Zlatan ranks in DP history

In addition to Gil and Bou, the Revs can threaten through the speed and industry of Cristian Penilla. Look no further than New England's goal in Atlanta on Decision Day for what the Ecuadorian can do when given half a chance through an error.

Atlanta will win because: It's simply better. If we need to be more specific, United will see off the Revs because of the litany of goal threats and a midfield that works as well together as any in MLS.

New England will win because: The Five Stripes make mistakes. The Revs will try to force said mistakes, but either way, the only real path to victory for New England is if it is gifted more than one opportunity through giveaways and errors by Atlanta.

Prediction: Atlanta United 3-1 New England Revolution. -- Jason Davis (@davisjsn)

2. Seattle Sounders vs. 7. FC Dallas

3:30 p.m. ET Oct. 19

Backstory: As in previous seasons, Seattle had a rough first half but righted the ship in late summer and methodically marched to a second-place finish in the West. Once again, expectations are high for a deep playoff run.

FC Dallas is young and bursting with talent, which makes it a difficult out for anyone. Coach Luchi Gonzalez has stuck to the "play your kids" philosophy, and it paid off with a postseason berth. How all those young players will handle the playoff pressure is another story.

Playoff paths: Seattle punched its postseason ticket with a full two games to spare and emerged from a seven-team scrum in the Western Conference to finish as the 2-seed. FC Dallas needed a final day win over Sporting Kansas City at home and achieved that with flying colors, scoring as much as Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (six) on the same day to clinch.

Connecting thread: From 2014 to 2016, Seattle and FC Dallas squared off in the postseason and delivered some drama. Seattle squeaked past the Texans in 2014, 1-1 on aggregate, thanks to an away goal. FC Dallas got its revenge in 2015 in a wild conference semifinal that saw three goals in the waning minutes of the second leg that ended in a penalty shootout win. The next year as part of a late season surge to MLS Cup, Seattle leveraged a 3-0 first-leg win to eliminate the Supporters' Shield champions in the conference semifinals 4-2.