For Sporting Kansas City fans still reeling from Thursday's extra-time loss to the Houston Dynamo, the forthcoming slate of Conference Semifinal matches in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs might be hard to watch.
But for MLS addicts eager to see the rest of the postseason unfold, the next seven days are sure to provide unpredictable drama and plenty of thrills. The four Conference Semifinal series are delicately poised with compelling storylines galore, and they begin with all-important first leg fixtures hosted by the lower-seeded teams. We take a look at each nationally televised first-leg matchup below.