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Predicting the 2016 MLS playoffs

Shaun Clark / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The 2016 MLS playoff schedule has been set and, as to be expected, fans around the league have their own idea of how things will play out across the postseason bracket.

While we do not pretend to have any insight beyond educated guesswork, here are some predictions for how the 2016 MLS playoffs might go down from start to finish:

Knockout Round

Toronto FC hosts the Philadelphia Union for a franchise-first home playoff match at BMO Field, while D.C. United welcomes the Montreal Impact who are still sorting out "L'affaire Drogba" - internal conflict regarding Didier Drogba.

Meanwhile, the LA Galaxy host Real Salt Lake with a well-rested star core of Giovani Dos Santos, Robbie Keane, and Steven Gerrard, while the Seattle Sounders take on Sporting Kansas City, who they twice lost to already in 2016.

It's hard to see a leaky Philadelphia back line keep Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore at bay; Montreal's off-field issues could cause problems against an in-form D.C. United; the LA Galaxy have Real Salt Lake all figured out; Sporting KC is a potential dark horse and Seattle is still lacking chemistry.

Predictions: Toronto FC, D.C. United advance in Eastern Knockout Round, LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City advance in Western Knockout Round.

Conference Semifinals

If our knockout-round predictions are correct, then the New York Red Bulls square off against D.C. United and TFC takes on New York City FC in the East, while the Galaxy go to battle with the Colorado Rapids. MLS Supporters' Shield winner FC Dallas takes on Sporting KC to round out the West, too.

It's hard to see either Sporting KC or the Colorado Rapids defeat Dallas or Los Angeles, respectively, as both teams lack the killer instinct needed to down league giants in a high-pressure home-away leg.

The Red Bulls should have a straightforward path to the Eastern Conference Championship against D.C. but the toughest matchup would be Toronto FC and New York City FC. Little separates these star-studded teams and the two sides have historically battled to completely unpredictable back-and-forth tilts.

Predictions: FC Dallas defeats Sporting KC, LA Galaxy defeats Colorado Rapids; Red Bulls oust D.C. United, NYCFC advances past Toronto FC.

Conference Championship

If our predictions are still correct (whoa!) then the New York Red Bulls take on crosstown rivals NYCFC in the Eastern Conference Championship while the LA Galaxy squares off against FC Dallas in the West.

Here, we'll give the edge to the LA Galaxy, who have an inspired Dos Santos, an ever-dependable Keane and a returning clutch winger in Landon Donovan; as good as Dallas has been this season, losing Mauro Diaz to a season-ending Achilles injury is a blow from which this team won't be able to recover.

NYCFC endured a humiliating 7-0 defeat against the Red Bulls in May, then suffered a 4-1 loss at the end of July. Earlier in that month, however, Patrick Vieira's side managed to defeat the Red Bulls 2-0, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility. Still, as great as NYCFC has been, experience triumphs here, even if the Red Bulls do historically flop around this time in the playoffs.

Predictions: LA Galaxy defeat FC Dallas, Red Bulls defeat NYCFC

2016 MLS Cup Final

While the LA Galaxy have plenty of MLS Cup-final experience to draw on, this Red Bulls side has been too good for too many years not to see the fruits of Jesse Marsch's labour rewarded.

It's why, inspired by the goal-scoring form of Bradley Wright-Phillips and the creative mind of Sacha Kljestan, the Red Bulls might just be unstoppable.

Though the LA Galaxy have plenty of star power, those aged legs won't be able to keep up with the Red Bulls' high-press style and with a strong showing in the final, the Red Bulls will finally taste MLS Cup glory.

Prediction: New York Red Bulls defeat LA Galaxy to claim 2016 MLS Cup.

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