hello everyone I'm Taylor Twan from Major League Soccer and Apple tv the regular season in MLS returns this Saturday with a marquee matchup of FC Cincinnati at inter Miami in the Eastern Conference while the semi-finals are set in the second edition of League's cup and not a single team from Liga mechy's remains which is crazy to think as this year's Edition was more conducive to those teams competing at a higher level and having more of an advantage the League's cup committee this year gave them more of a chance by not having them travel all over the country and yet they disappointed Monteray Leon Chivas not even getting out of their group Pumas losing 4-n Seattle and the big one Club America with every home game in Southern California and they lose to who the Purina Underdog of the week the Colorado Rapids won MLS Cup in 2010 the league was very different back then and yet they still have a star above their Crest since then 13 Seasons they've made the playoffs five times they're often forgotten about and some of it it's hard to argue with now they finished second in the supporter Shield race winning the Western Conference in 2021 but the last two seasons have been dire so they went out for known quantities US Men's National Team players who could write the mahalovich Vines stefen but it was the under dog himself head coach Chris armis who was the one that changed the course of this team a player a coach a person who lives and Breeze the underdog mentality the chip on his shoulder look at the leagues cup run they lost 4-n to Portland then a 97th minute goal from Navaro versus leyon they went on penalties huarez 3-2 TCA 2-1 96-minute goal to beat them and then 10 rounds of penalties to beat America is lafc next Chris hares has this team believing and rightfully so he asked the question thank you we stay here stay in here why not the Rapids why not our Underdog of the week is brought to you by Purina with a friendly reminder about the power of pets just like I do spending time with your pets can reduce stress and anxiety and help keep your head in the game it's one of the many reasons that Purina believes that people and pets are happier together it is so difficult to be consistent in a league of parody especially when you win the ultimate goal of MLS Cup which does make it somewhat remarkable that lafc is in the boat that they are in they won MLS Cup in 2022 they followed that with runs in leagues cup open cup conquer Champions Cup and MLS Cup and I get it they didn't win a single trophy but they're there they're competing for trophies they regroup they come in into the MLS regular season in 2024 with the thinnest roster on record they have the worst start in franchise history three wins in the the first nine games and then they win nine of 10 on the back of bogush and banga along with the second best defensive record in MLS and they're looking like a team that may win another trophy there's six points behind Miami in the supporter show race two points behind the galaxy in the west but they have games in hand which makes it possible that they catch both of them but all eyes and attention would be on Colorado in the leagues cup semifinal where a win guarantees them a spot in the con Champions Cup for next season but more so a date with the Redemption a cup rematch in Columbus sorry Philly it ain't happening this week on offside an apple podcast we catch up with Paul tenorio at the athletic to talk the craziness of the MLS transfer window and Mauricio pochettino and the MLS regular season restarts Saturday with a Blockbuster in Miami host FC Cincinnati where a win could go a long way for Messi and friends to solidify their stance as the best team in the regular season go to Apple TV get 50% off the MLS season pass leagues Cup Final regular season stretch and the MLS Cup playoffs all right there on Apple TV [Music] [Music]