CF Montreal became the latest team to clinch their spot in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs on Friday night.
Wilfried Nancy’s side performed a dramatic comeback to draw 2-2 at home to the Columbus Crew, with their 16-9-5 record enough to book a return to the post-season after missing out in 2021.
They are in. @cfmontreal are the next team to book their spot in the @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/19A0v1KXEt
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 10, 2022
Despite heading into the final stages of the regular season, Montreal are only the third team to book their place in the Playoffs. So, who have they joined?
It’s been three weeks since LAFC became the first team to clinch their Playoffs spot, thanks to the Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo drawing 1-1 after the Black and Gold had lost 2-1 to California rivals San Jose Earthquakes.
This marks a return to the post-season for LAFC after missing out in 2021. The Black and Gold are armed with arguably the most talented roster in MLS and will look to translate their form into a knockout scenario.
At present, LAFC are the only Western Conference team with their status assured, although Austin FC are close behind.
The Philadephia Union became the second team to make the Playoffs right at the end of August, joining LAFC and becoming the first team in the East to clinch their spot.
A 4-1 home win over Atlanta United did the trick for Jim Curtin’s men, who have now made the Playoffs in five successive years.
The Union are battling hard against LAFC for the Supporters’ Shield, with the 2019 and 2020 winners level on points heading into this weekend.
Philly will be a force to be reckoned with in the Playoffs.
As mentioned, CF Montreal are the third team to make the MLS Cup Playoffs, doing so for just the second time in six seasons – a testament to the job being done by Wilfried Nancy.
The New York Red Bulls are the next-most likely team in the East to make the Playoffs, sitting behind Montreal in third with 47 points. In the West Austin FC are second with 51 points and can clinch their spot with a win over the Seattle Sounders.
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