MLS has been known to get creative with their rules and playoff formats over the years, often to mixed reviews from both fans and players. For the second year in a row, Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs will be played out in Best-of-Three series, with each qualifying team getting the chance to host at least one playoff game.

LAFC defeats Vancouver 2-1 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series as coach Steve Cherundolo tries to guide the team to another MLS Cup title.

The Colorado Rapids did well to make it to halftime down just one goal to the L.A. Galaxy in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

For the Los Angeles Football Club, Game 1 of the best-of-three opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs against the Vancouver Whitecaps was not a shellacking like last year’s encounter — even if it felt like one.

Denis Bouanga scored on a penalty kick in the first half and Cristian Olivera scored early in the second to lead Western Conference regular-season champion Los Angeles FC to a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night in a best-of-three first-round series for the Major League Soccer Cup.