Decision Day has come and gone, leaving Major League Soccer's 14 postseason-bound sides with nearly two weeks to contemplate their paths to MLS Cup glory. In the regular season's afterglow, playoff hopes will never be higher for many, which is why we've detailed precisely why each team can win MLS Cup ... and, similarly, why each can't.
3. Real Salt Lake
Next playoff match: 10 p.m. ET Oct. 19 vs. Portland (watch live on ESPNEWS)
Why they will win MLS Cup: The attacking trident of Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach get on a roll, and Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando turn back the clock to 2009.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: RSL's inconsistency rears its head at the wrong time to end a season overshadowed by off-the-field controversy.
4. Minnesota United
Next playoff match: 8:30 p.m. ET Oct. 20 vs. LA Galaxy (watch live on ESPN)
Why they will win MLS Cup: Their "us against the world" mentality, on top of a solid defense, takes Adrian Heath's men on a surprising Cup run.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Ten road losses this season suggest that winning back-to-back away from home in the biggest games of the season is too big an ask.
5. LA Galaxy
Next playoff match: 8:30 p.m. ET Oct. 20 at Minnesota (watch live on ESPN)
Why they will win MLS Cup: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede is a threat to score anytime he has the ball, and with Cristian Pavon in the mix, the Galaxy have the offensive weapons to take down anyone.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A poor record away from home and a tendency to switch off and commit errors in defense make it only a matter of time before the Galaxy get sent packing.
6. Portland Timbers
Next playoff match: 10 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at Salt Lake (watch live on ESPNEWS)
Why they will win MLS Cup: Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco. The Argentine playmakers are as formidable as any in the league, and Blanco in particular has turned it up a notch the past month. Plus midfield warrior Diego Chara and the experience of coach Giovanni Savarese give Timbers fans every reason to believe.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Valeri's contract status is looming uncomfortably over the team, and Savarese has yet to figure out how to shake his team's inconsistent form in 2019.
7. FC Dallas
Next playoff match: 3:30 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at Seattle
Why they will win MLS Cup: Luchi Gonzalez's young pups will be playing with no fear and have nothing to lose in this postseason. It's just the type of attitude that can wreak havoc on opponents.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Their lack of experience can also work against them in a hostile environment, such as trying to hang on to a result in the last 15 minutes in a full house on the West Coast.
Eastern Conference
1. New York City FC
Next playoff match: 7 p.m. ET Oct. 23 vs. Toronto or D.C.
Why they will win MLS Cup: No team is cooler when pressured by opponents, thanks to one of the league's best midfields, which lays the groundwork for a title run.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Jozy Altidore and Toronto FC have a habit of making life difficult for NYCFC and could prove to be the roadblock even before a date with high-powered LAFC.
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2. Atlanta United
Next playoff match: 1 p.m. ET Oct. 19 vs. New England
Why they will win MLS Cup: They know how to get the job done, and with a healthy and hungry Josef Martinez, a second straight crown is theirs for the taking.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: The mental lapses have been there too often this season, and in a single-game elimination format, that proves costly.
3. Philadelphia Union
Next playoff match: 3 p.m. ET Oct. 20 vs. New York Red Bulls
Why they will win MLS Cup: Their balance from back to front is a big asset, and Kacper Przybylko has become the goal scorer this team desperately needed.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Teams will look to take Przybylko out of the equation, and the lack of a second scorer will limit the Union.
4. Toronto FC
Next playoff match: 6 p.m. ET Oct. 19 vs. D.C.
Why they will win MLS Cup: One of the hottest teams in the East boasts the experience to win MLS Cup and has the firepower up front with Jozy Altidore and Alejandro Pozuelo.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A spotty road record all season means that this 4-seed can't string together the wins away from home to lift the trophy.
5. D.C. United
Next playoff match: 6 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at Toronto
Why they will win MLS Cup: On his way out the door, Wayne Rooney will deliver his best soccer since arriving in the nation's capital and replicate countryman David Beckham's feat of leaving MLS as a champion.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Ben Olsen's reluctance to start Luciano Acosta and the resurfacing of late summer defensive woes rear their heads in the postseason.
6. New York Red Bulls
Next playoff match: 3 p.m. ET Oct. 20 at Philadelphia
Why they will win MLS Cup: With postseason expectations lower than in previous seasons, the Red Bulls ride a pressure-free playoffs all the way to the promised land.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A defense that gave up a lot of goals to the league's top teams can't maintain a high enough level through four matches.
7. New England Revolution
Next playoff match: 1 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at Atlanta
Why they will win MLS Cup: Led by five-time MLS Cup-winning coach Bruce Arena, the Revs ride the playmaking of Carles Gil and the scoring boots of Gustavo Bou to a stunning title run.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A team that still struggles to put together a consistent 90 minutes will see its postseason end fairly quickly.
