Decision Day has come and gone, leaving Major League Soccer's 14 postseason-bound sides with nearly two weeks to contemplate their paths to MLS Cup glory. In the regular season's afterglow, playoff hopes will never be higher for many, which is why we've detailed precisely why each team can win MLS Cup ... and, similarly, why each can't.

Western Conference

Next playoff match: 10:30 p.m. ET Oct. 24 vs. Minnesota or LA Galaxy (watch live on ESPN)

Why they will win MLS Cup: The league's best player, Carlos Vela, makes sure there is no letdown and leads the league's best team to the title.

Why they won't win MLS Cup: The lack of a second striker and an opponent savvy enough to cut off the Eduard Atuesta-Vela connection lead to a nightmare scenario for Bob Bradley's men.

Next playoff match: 3:30 p.m. ET Oct. 19 vs. FC Dallas

Why they will win MLS Cup: Seattle is well versed in the postseason panorama and has the firepower in Raul Ruidiaz, Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro to do something special.

Why they won't win MLS Cup: A team that has been plagued by defensive issues, poor road form and inconsistency simply can't last.

Next playoff match: 10 p.m. ET Oct. 19 vs. Portland (watch live on ESPNEWS)

Why they will win MLS Cup: The attacking trident of Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach get on a roll, and Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando turn back the clock to 2009.

Why they won't win MLS Cup: RSL's inconsistency rears its head at the wrong time to end a season overshadowed by off-the-field controversy.

Next playoff match: 8:30 p.m. ET Oct. 20 vs. LA Galaxy (watch live on ESPN)

Why they will win MLS Cup: Their "us against the world" mentality, on top of a solid defense, takes Adrian Heath's men on a surprising Cup run.

Why they won't win MLS Cup: Ten road losses this season suggest that winning back-to-back away from home in the biggest games of the season is too big an ask.

Next playoff match: 8:30 p.m. ET Oct. 20 at Minnesota (watch live on ESPN)

Why they will win MLS Cup: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede is a threat to score anytime he has the ball, and with Cristian Pavon in the mix, the Galaxy have the offensive weapons to take down anyone.

Why they won't win MLS Cup: A poor record away from home and a tendency to switch off and commit errors in defense make it only a matter of time before the Galaxy get sent packing.