Chaos is the resting state of Major League Soccer.



That probably wasn’t by design, but the knock-on effects of a thousand little decisions have made it reality. The salary cap means the margins between teams are slim; various roster designations mean multi-million dollar attackers often go up against defenders making $70,000 a year; cross-country commercial flights mean tired bodies get the pleasure of playing turf surfaces. Throw it all together, and you get a volatile, wild league, a circuit where little makes sense and absurdity reigns supreme.



The insanity is only heightened in the playoffs. The higher stakes, increased intensity and short turnarounds of the postseason turn an already-hectic league on its head, leading to a delightfully insane moment or two during every run to MLS Cup. Every playoff, MLS proves that it is indeed a league of choice… for sociopaths.



With the league set to debut its new, single-elimination playoff...