2018 MLS Cup champions:
Atlanta United
The Audi 2018 MLS Cup final game is December 8, 2018.
Not the hardest decision but Atlanta - the club with the highest attendance this season - will have tough competition in the East, and, should it make the final, as I predict, either Dallas, LAFC or Sporting Kansas City will be waiting.
Should Atlanta not escape the Eastern Conference Playoffs, look for NYCFC to represent the pack, or possibly D.C. United.
Dark Horse Prediction
2018 MLS Cup champions:
D.C. United
I'm staying with Atlanta, but, should things get crazy, I'm going with D.C. United as the dark horse. It's a team that had an up-and-down year but clearly was playing well enough on the field to pose the question: "Why are they not getting better results?" With good talent to boot, including Rooney and Arriola, to name a few, keep an eye on D.C. for an interesting run in the Playoffs.
Western Conference options
2018 MLS Cup champions:
If not Atlanta, it's a toss up between Dallas, LAFC and Sporting Kansas City. This is a tough one. All three teams are highly capable of running away with the championship,
The Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs will be a very interesting and exciting. Aside from dark horse conversation and Western Conference contenders, my prediction to win the whole thing is Atlanta.
Prediction occurred here around 9 AM Central Standard Time, 10-22-18.