Overview
- The Wild Card Round kicks off Wednesday, October 22, with Chicago Fire vs. Orlando City at 8:30 p.m. ET and Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake at 10:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
- Bleacher Report lists Chicago at +100 with a prediction that the Fire advance, citing a sturdy defense and goalkeeper Chris Brady’s consistency.
- Orlando’s late-season slide frames the Eastern matchup, though Martín Ojeda’s 16 goals and 11 assists are highlighted as a potential counterweight to Chicago’s edge.
- In the West, Portland is a slight betting favorite at +115, yet Bleacher Report predicts Real Salt Lake to move on, pointing to RSL’s Decision Day form and Portland’s prolonged skid.
- Sounder at Heart notes added pressure on Portland head coach Phil Neville following a 4-0 Decision Day home loss, as broader playoff narratives also reference Inter Miami’s 5-2 win powered by a 3g/1a outing from Lionel Messi.