Around the MLS: Best MLS matches from the past five years.

The past few years of MLS Playoffs have seen insane comebacks, incredible endings, and beautiful winners.

2023 Eastern Conference Finals Columbus vs Cincinnati 3-2 After Extra Time

Columbus’ two-goal comeback over in-state rivals Cincinnati takes the spot for the best playoff match in 2023.

What made this comeback so special was how the odds were stacked against Columbus. Cincinnati won the Supporters’ Shield by a margin of six points. Their home record was superb at 15-2-2. Cincinnati’s attacking midfielder, Luciano Acosta, won the MLS MVP award just a few days ago.

But with help from an unfortunate own goal from Alvas Powell, the Crew mastered a three-goal comeback, culminating in this beautiful extra-time goal.

Columbus and Cincinnati played high-quality soccer. The game was captivating for neutral audiences. Add in a comeback from two goals down and an extra-time winner, and this match deserves its spot as the best playoff match of 2023.

2022 MLS Cup Finals LAFC vs Philadelphia 3-3 LAFC wins on Penalties 3-0

LAFC fielded a starting roster featuring Carlos Vela, Denis Bouanga, and José Cifuentes and had Gareth Bale as a super sub. Still, the Union challenged LAFC for 120 minutes, mainly because Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott played the game of his life, scoring two goals from the center-back position.

Elliott’s first goal for Philadelphia equalized the match at 2-2, forcing an extra-time period that would go down in infamy.

The first 30 minutes of extra time were eventful but scoreless. Then, Elliott scored his second goal in the 120+4 minute, four minutes into stoppage time, and the Union looked to have won its first MLS Cup.

But with a minute left of injury time, Gareth Bale scored the most important goal in LAFC history, equalizing for the Black and Gold and sending the match into penalties.

LAFC would fare better from the spot, winning the most chaotic and exciting MLS Cup in history.

2021 Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls 1-0 After Extra Time

One hundred twenty minutes of scoreless soccer, undone by the last kick of the game.

The Union hosted the Red Bulls in the first round of the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs and sent them packing with an incredible extra-time winner. Jakob Glesnes has been a rock in the Union backline for a number of years. However, the center-back is not known for his goal-scoring prowess.

That didn’t matter to Glesnes, though, who scored a 30-yard half-volley to send the Union into the second round.

2020 Sounders vs Minnesota United 3-2

Minnesota United made the Western Conference semifinals on a high in 2020, having crushed Sporting KC 3-0 the previous week. United’s opponent? The defending MLS Cup Champion Seattle Sounders, who they had not beaten in club history.

Still, Minnesota commanded a two-goal lead with 15 minutes to go in this match, eyeing their first MLS Cup appearance in club history. However, Seattle orchestrated a three-goal comeback to win the Western Conference finals.

Two of Seattle’s three goals were scored by substitutes, a master class of a coaching performance from Brian Schmetzer.

2019 Sounders vs LAFC 3-1

LA came into this match as the heavy favorite. It had just knocked out Zlatan Ibrahimovich and rivals La Galaxy and had only lost once at home all season. It also set the record for the most points in MLS's regular season history.

But an experienced Seattle roster orchestrated a 3-1 comeback win, stunning LAFC and the rest of MLS.