With the first two rounds of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs in the books, the conference finals are next. It's been a tournament filled with upset after upset, as no No. 1 seed and just one No. 2 seed survived until the final four.

The Red Bulls sounded like a team that was ready to collect some apologies. After being doubted going into the playoffs, and facing questions going into their conference semifinal against rival New York City FC — a first in the history of the Hudson River Derby — they picked up a 2-0 win at Citi Field to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2018.

Orlando City SC moved one step closer to MLS Cup as the Lions took down Atlanta United 1-0 to advance to the Eastern Conference final. The game's pivotal moment came in the 39th minute, and it was a scrappy one as Orlando City were able to react quicker than the Atlanta defense to capitalize on a sequence that ultimately won them the game.