Even before the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs begins this weekend, Los Angeles FC captain and star attacker Carlos Vela was quick to criticize the new system.

A best-of-three series will now be played instead of the former best-of-one format, significantly extending the length of the tournament.

After a tight and intense 2022 season, Vela, who led LAFC to their first MLS Cup, claimed he was confused by the switch.

When asked what he thought of the new format, Vela shrugged and said, “It doesn’t make sense, but it is what it is.”

It’s too late to change leagues, so all we can do is win the first two games and hope we get byes in the rest. 

Not only does Vela have concerns about the new rules, but so do his teammates on the league champions.

Before this week was over, Steve Cherundolo, manager of LAFC, released a blistering indictment of the new method of determining a champion.

You give up a dynamic playoff system like we had last year, with widespread approval: for the first time in 19 years, the top seed from each conference met in the championship.

It makes perfect sense to go ahead and alter everything since “you couldn’t have planned it any better” and “you got a fantastic game in the end.”

Jim Curtin, manager of the Philadelphia Union, also voiced opposition to the format change when it was announced earlier in the season.