Predict the MLS playoffs: The knockout round, part two!

The first night of the 2016 MLS playoffs is in the books and here’s how our prediction league looks after two games:

Everyone bar SaskTFCFan, who took a risk on Real Salt Lake, picked Toronto FC and the LA Galaxy to advance, which they did with relative ease.

Tonight, in-form dark horses D.C. United host the Montreal Impact and the Seattle Sounders face Sporting Kansas City. Our writers’ predictions are below and you can leave yours in the comments - it’s not too late to join in if you missed out yesterday!

As a reminder, for the knockout round correct final score (whenever the game ends, either after 90 or 120 minutes) predictions are worth three points. If you get the score wrong but have the right winner, you’ll get one point no matter how they advance (including on penalties).

D.C. United vs. Montreal Impact

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Mark De Luca: After his performance against Toronto, I think Piatti will be difficult for United to contain. The Impact will be more focused after a tough loss against New England this past weekend. 1-2.

Dawid Burzynski: Despite dropping their last game of the season, D.C. has been one of the hottest teams in the league and should be able to get by an Impact side that is limping into the playoffs, both on and off the field. 3-1.

Jon Peckitt: D.C. and Montreal both suffered crushing defeats on Decision Day to non-playoff teams. D.C., however, has looked fantastic down the stretch and has had no trouble finding goals from multiple sources. Montreal on the other hand, has the Drogba drama looming over the club. I expect a lot of goals. 3-2.

Philip Zivanovich: A last-gasp effort sees Montreal through to the semi-finals. 1-2.

James Grossi: Montreal takes an early lead through Ignacio Piatti only for D.C. to rally and pull ahead with two goals in the second half. Didier Drogba (note: James made his prediction before Drogba was ruled out!) ties it up late, then scores the decisive penalty. 2-2.

Oliver Platt: Really tough to call. I don’t think Drogba’s absence will hurt Montreal particularly but their defence might leave the outstanding Ignacio Piatti with too much to do. 2-1.

Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting Kansas City

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Mark De Luca: This will be a grinder of a match and I’m curious to see what Uruguayan playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro does. 1-0.

Dawid Burzynski: The Sounders have been almost unstoppable since acquiring Lodeiro and should get past a Sporting side that has hovered around the middle of the West all season. 2-0.

Jon Peckitt: Seattle has looked like a completely different team since parting ways with Sigi Schmid in late July, and the arrival of Lodeiro combined with the presence of Jordan Morris gives them a dangerous attacking dimension. However, though this is not the best Sporting KC team of recent years, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber can pull the strings in midfield and Dom Dwyer is always dangerous up top. 2-2.

Philip Zivanovich: Seattle runs rampant on KC's backline and sportingly takes the W. 3-1.

James Grossi: The Sounders play lock-down football at home and ride a Jordan Morris strike in the next round of the playoffs. 1-0.

Oliver Platt: I would not fancy anyone’s chances of winning on the road in Seattle. They’ll protect a one-goal lead before adding a clincher late on. 2-0.