Whether you’re a Supporters’ Shield truther or an MLS Cup diehard, you can’t deny that the postseason packs more intrigue than any other point of the league’s calendar.



Over half of MLS is still in contention for the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy as the playoffs kick off. With an expanded field (seven teams per conference, or 14 of 24 in MLS) comes potential mismatches in the early rounds, made even more intriguing by the new, all-single-elimination format .



From Allianz Field undergoing a last minute sod swap to New York City FC making its run to MLS Cup as a barnstorming side touring the Big Apple, there’s plenty of off-field storylines into which one could sink their teeth. Let’s get right to the heat of the meat with The Athletic’s MLS Cup Playoffs predictions.



If our award ballots were any indication, we won’t be finding any sort of consensus.



The panel:



Alexander...