MLS Conference Finals 2024 Preview: Four Key Players To Watch

We are down to four remaining clubs in the MLS Cup playoffs.

The Eastern and Western Conference Finals will take place this Saturday, with the MLS Cup Final scheduled for the following weekend, concluding the season on December 7th.

Going into the penultimate weekend of this years post-season, two very different match-ups on both sides of the leagues spectrum will decide the respective conference champions.

In the East, Saturdays first encounter is a case of never-haves against never-been, with Orlando City hosting the New York Red Bulls at their 25,000+ capacity Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Although many would have predicted that this fixture would take place in Florida, it was expected to be held 200 miles further south, at the home of Lionel Messis Inter Miami.

But after Atlanta Uniteds shock upset of the Supporters Shield winners, Orlando could have booked their place in a first-ever Conference Final appearance as a franchise after ousting Charlotte over three games in the previous round, which they did with a 1-0 win at home.

Up north, the New York Red Bulls pulled off a surprising sweep of reigning MLS Cup and Leagues Cup champions Columbus Crew before seeing off city rivals New York City FC 2-0 on the road in the Hudson River derby.

They sealed their spot in the last four for the sixth time ever, and they now chase only their second MLS Cup appearance in club history.

NYRB lost in their first trip to the MLS Cup to Columbus Crew in 2008, and its been a tale of falling below expectations ever since for one of the leagues biggest markets and franchises.

While both clubs in the East are searching for a maiden MLS Cup title, on the other end of the spectrum, its an entirely different story.

In Saturdays late fixture in Southern California at Dignity Health Sports Park, LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders will compete in the Western final.

Unlike their Eastern counterparts, these two clubs have had no shortage of domestic success.

Galaxy holds a league record with five MLS Cup titles from nine finals.

At the same time, the Sounders have won two and made four appearances in the fixture in total, interestingly, all of which came after LA Galaxys last win in 2014.

The two clubs have plenty of pedigree, and a Western Conference title and a chance to host this years MLS Cup will be at stake.

Both sides boast superior regular-season points tallies than Orlando and NYRB.

Also, the aforementioned Dignity Health Sports Park has hosted the seasons final game a record six times.

LA Galaxy will look to clinch the Western title for the seventh time on Saturday night.

Going into these games, several players have stood out across all four sides in their playoff runs to date.

In this scout report, well attempt to pick out one key player from each club and analyze their playoff performances using data analysis ahead of this weekend.

Orlando City: Ramiro Enrique (CF)

Undoubtedly, Orlando Citys standout player and star man is Uruguayan DP Facundo Torres.

But weve chosen 23-year-old Argentine striker Ramiro Enrique as the one to watch for this weekends Eastern Conference Final.

There are two reasons for that.

Firstly, Enrique is in the hotter form of the two, with five goals and two assists in Orlandos last nine league games stretching back to late September, while Torres is slightly worse off with four goals and a solitary assist.

Second, and more importantly, is the attention Torres takes away from opposing defences, which opens up spaces for Enrique to exploit.

Enrique is Orlandos second-highest scorer in 2024 after Torres, showing that he shouldered the responsibility of carrying the attack alongside the Uruguayan more than anyone else on the Lions squad.

However, focusing on just these playoffs, lets examine some data that shows what Enrique has brought to this team during their run to the Conference Final.

Ramiro Enrique Shots Map  2024 MLS Cup Playoffs

The above data viz is Enriques shot map during the playoffs, highlighting his shot selection and the xG value of his attempts.

With thirteen shots taken in just four games, Enrique averages slightly over three shots per game, with a 0.15 value per shot, which is a solid number.

Almost all of his strikes have come from inside the penalty area, with the odd pop from a long distance.

Most of them hav