No Vember, Snow Problem - Playoff Musings at All Levels

Before we get into it, here’s a little preface - I’m a mechanical engineer by trade. I enjoy writing and soccer, and don’t often have an outlet for both. This substack serves as a place where I can post thoughts and ideas on games I found interesting, or teams I like in the moment. I don’t expect anyone to subscribe or even find this - it’s a personal outlet for me. If you happen to enjoy it, please feel free to hit the share button - all the better. Without further ado…

Seasons are changing, leaves have fallen and forests turned a combination of green needles and brown sticks. In New England and across the US, that means it’s playoff time. Let’s check in on some teams I’ve watched.

11/8 - Minnesota United 3:3 (7:6 PKs) Seattle Sounders

MLS Playoffs - Western Conference Quarterfinals - Game 3 of 3

Well, it was as predicted in this one. No strategy change for Brian Schmetzer means no need to sue. With Danny Musovski staying in the lineup, Seattle got out to a roaring start with two early goals from Albert Rusnak and the aforementioned Musovski. If you’re going to check out either of the goals, you should see how Moose deftly receives the ball, touching it across the box to Rusnak who fires a pleasing half-volley to the far post. What a goal!

Per usual, it was the tale of two halves, though, as Minnesota pulled ahead 3-2 despite being a man down for the entirety of the second half after Joseph Rosales made an utterly silly challenge for a straight red. With 10 minutes to go, head coach Brian Schmetzer subbed in PK expert and Leagues Cup Goalkeeper of the Tournament Andrew Thomas to replace Stefan Frei, with an eye towards a shootout. Jordan Morris managed to force PKs when scoring his 11th career playoff goal a couple minutes before added time, now standing alone as the highest scoring active player in the MLS Playoffs over Denis Bouanga (10).

This PK shootout will go down in history as one of the best in MLS Playoff history. Starting off rowdy, Andrew Thomas fully covers a missed shot on his first shot seen, but dislocates his finger in the process. Smiling and laughing through the pain, trainers come out to tape him up. There’s a nervy moment as Alex Roldan is in conversation with Stefan Frei and the coaching staff, presumably discussing whether or not he’d need to reprise his role as emergency keeper. This was unnecessary, however, as Thomas is able to continue. Two big saves by Seattle’s backup, three shots off the bar later, it comes down to the keepers to seal the match. Dayne St. Clair slots his home with ease, leaving Andrew Thomas to take his - unfortunately saved as his superhero story was muddied.

Despite winning 0 games, despite being outscored 7-5, despite never leading a game in the series until the 71st minute of this one, Minnesota United prevailed. And you can’t even fault them - they adapted and did what had to be done. Missing their best player in Tani Oluwaseyi, they played even more defensive than they had at any point this season and came out of the series victorious. There are still questions to be asked of Seattle: Why did reliable Alex Roldan not step up following either of Andrew Thomas’s game-tilting saves to win it? Why can’t their players keep their individual concentration up to prevent bozo mistakes? How do they make sure they capitalize on 3 golden chances they had to seal the game during normal time?

Time will tell, but this was a fun one. Good luck to the Loons as they take on San Diego FC tonight at 10pm Eastern.

11/8 - New Mexico United 2:1 Orange County SC

USL Championship Playoffs - Western Conference Semifinals

I wasn’t in Seattle this specific weekend, but I was in Albuquerque visiting family. When I realized my visit would coincide with the playoffs, I kept a close eye to see NMU could make a run and host during my stay, and that they did. In a battle of the 3 and 7 seeds, the Southwest side did not disappoint. Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park was packed with over 10,000 in announced attendance, and it felt like it.

We showed up half an hour early, but lines were down the block to get in, so we didn’t find our seats until the 7th minute. Our second up on the second deck was loud and rowdy, joining in with The Curse across the stadium. Joining in on chants of “Pobrecito!” and “Vamos United”, you could tell that the players felt the energy, too. Known as one of the highest possession hubs in USL, New Mexico played aesthetically pleasing ball, constantly working the ball back and forth, through midfield and up the wings. Dayonn Harris was an especially dynamic watch, but the entire team understands their philosophy - from USL lifers all the way up to fringe USMNT guys, NMU recruited a well rounded team.

After taking the lead first in 49th through striker Greg Hurst, NMU fell off. The momentum swung towards OCSC who managed to equalize in the 68th. The game hanging in the balance, it felt destined for extra time when Dayonn Harris provided a moment of magic, scoring the game winner in the 4th minute of added time, sending the stadium into a frenzy.

These guys had one of the most fun atmospheres I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing - fans being super engaged and loud, playing pretty soccer, and hearing plenty of vitriol towards hated rivals Phoenix Rising as fans around me kept in touch with their concurrent game.

Fans went home happy that night - plenty of honking and shouting and cheering outside the stadium as we all made our way back to our cars. NMU would move onto the Western Conference Final, where they’d unfortunately fall to FC Tulsa, but they had a good run!

Though I can’t root for them as I’ve already got my local team in Rhode Island, they were fun and I hope to catch another game in person the next time I visit.

11/22 - FC Lonestar GPSE 2:5 C.D. Faialense

2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup - Fourth Qualifying Round

If you’re not paying close attention, you might have missed that amateur qualification happened for next year’s US Open Cup - its 111th edition. Dubbed the “Win and You’re In” round, Lowell, MA-based FC Lonestar GPSE took on Cambridge, MA’s C.D. Faialense in a cracker of a match to determine which side gets to represent New England along with the 5 (or 6) professional clubs entering during the full tournament.

Both teams faced adversity reaching this stage. Lonestar went to added time in both of their previous games, winning 2-1 vs FC Omens and going to PKs to advance vs Atletico Boston. C.D. Faialense strode past their first opponent in Project Football by a score of 5:0, then going to extra time to win 1:0 over powerhouse Brockton FC United with a 116th minute strike.

This match was back-and-forth, but generally a dominant performance by the Portuguese-in-origin side, CD Faialense, scoring 4 in the first half and cruising to a 5:2 win in the second. Mixing old strategy with new, the side blended devastating attacks down the wings from star fullback and former UMass Lowell man Damian Attidore with a newfound ability to penetrate through midfield via a 5 or 6 man high press.

Max Krause was the star of the show this evening, with 2 goals and an assist while being consistently dangerous off dead balls and in open play. Martin Vician leads the team with 4 goals scored across the 3-game qualifying process, and Mr. Clutch Jonathan Klein scored the final goal of the match for the third time in a row; two of them game winners.

C.D. Faialense will make their 2nd appearance in the US Open Cup this coming March, going 2-for-3 in qualifying attempts. In their debut last year, they played against Portland Hearts of Pine, losing 4:0 to the rookie 3rd-division side. Who they play this coming year will be determined by a draw at a later date.

If you want a bit more on this game, come check out my more in-depth recap.

11/23 - University of Vermont 2:3 Hofstra University

2025 NCAA Men’s College Cup - Second Round

You should know before I begin that I’m a UVM alum. I loved my time in Burlington, and used to watch every single game in person while attending college. I still check in with them, and its amazing to see the program they’ve built over the last few years.

It all seemed to be setting up for another glorious year for the Catamounts. An undefeated regular season, an American East title and the first-ever AE team to be ranked as the #1 seed. Snow falling steadily, a sold out crowd and even spectators packing the hill, much like at Vermont Green games during much warmer and more pleasant spectator sports months. This would be a formidable atmosphere for Hofstra to go up against as the Catamounts tried to go back-to-back as NCAA champions.

They were up to the challenge, though. Hofstra, through large portions of the game, proved the more technically proficient side - pinging the ball around, pressing more quickly and seemingly being more dynamic as Vermont was content to hang back and defend, taking their moments when desirable to play forward.

Vermont would take the lead through Phillip Kuhn early on, who used his left foot to file away a great header in the 13th minute for his 7th on the year. Hofstra would take a long time to find offensive output, but eventually did so with a 1-2 punch in the 66th and 68th minutes to take the lead. It all seemed out of reach for the Cats, but they did eventually find a goal in the 83rd through Rui Aoki to bring them level. A penalty call nearly allowed them the chance to win it, but the call was overturned and sent the game to extra time, where Hofstra would find the winner through Laurie Goddard, who scored in the 97th minute for his 13th of the season, sending Hofstra through and dashing hopes of back-to-back trophies for the Catamounts.

Look, just for the snow, this game was worth watching, but UVM showed out and were loud throughout the match while both teams provided entertaining ball. I’d recommend a watch!

Though most leagues are done now, there’s still American Soccer to watch. The MLS Cup Playoffs continue tonight with the Conference Semis, with the Conference Finals and MLS Cup to go, all available in front of the paywall on Apple TV. The NCAA College Cup has plenty of life left, too, with four rounds still to play concluding on December 15th. I’m rooting for Vancouver and UW to get it done, but let me know who you’ve got. Enjoy the read, and I’ll be back some time in the next few weeks with another piece.