NY Red Bulls vs. Charlotte FC (Thursday, 12.30am)
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With a spot in the opening phase of the MLS Cup playoffs at stake, New York Red Bulls host Charlotte FC on Wednesday at Red Bull Arena in the wild card round.
Both sides earned 1-0 victories on Decision Day to claim the final two post-season spots in the Eastern Conference, with the Red Bulls defeating Nashville SC, while the Crown took care of Inter Miami.
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-0 Charlotte FC
Home-field advantage and overall playoff experience should give the Red Bulls a significant advantage on Wednesday, which we believe will be enough to propel them into the next round.
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Kansas vs. Earthquakes (Thursday, 2.30am)
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The MLS Wild card round concludes on Wednesday at Children's Mercy Park as Sporting Kansas City host the San Jose Earthquakes for a place in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
A 3-1 win over Minnesota United, combined with a Portland Timbers loss versus the Houston Dynamo (3-1), enabled Sporting to finish eighth in the West, ahead of the Quakes with more wins (12-10), while San Jose played to a 1-1 draw with Austin FC.
We say: Sporting Kansas City 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Sporting should be accustomed to these one-off games by now, having played in so many must-win situations down the stretch of this season.
They have been potent in the attacking third at home, and are in much better form when compared to the Quakes, both of which have us leaning towards the home side advancing.
