Major league soccer returns on Saturday after a three-month break. Defending MLS Cup winners LAFC look to become back-to-back champions, while newcomers St. Louis City SC joins the west to expand the league with a first match against Austin FC. The new MLS Playoff format has received a lot of criticism. Nonetheless, it's here with a brand new expansion that will see nine teams from each conference qualify for the postseason, a wild-card round and a best-of-3 series in round 1.
The Sounders' streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances ended with a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City, which got a goal from William Agada in the 41st minute.