When do the MLS Cup playoffs begin, and who has qualified?
With the MLS regular season nearing its end, sights are set on postseason places….
The Major League Soccer regular season is nearing its conclusion and clubs have their sights set on qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs, which begin on Oct. 19.
Twelve teams have clinched one of the 14 postseason berths; zero spots remain to be clinched in the Eastern Conference, but two places in the Western Conference are open. Eight clubs have been eliminated.
So, who’s in? Who’s out? And who has it all to play for?
– MLS standings | Schedule | Statistics
– Stream games LIVE, watch replays on ESPN+
Clinched playoff places (seven per conference)
Eastern Conference: New York City FC, Atlanta United, Philadelphia Union, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, New England Revolution
Western Conference: LAFC, Minnesota United, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake
Portland Timbers (46 points, 33 games played)
FC Dallas (45 points, 33 games played)
San Jose Earthquakes (44 points, 33 games played)
Colorado Rapids (42 points, 33 games played)
Clinching scenarios, Oct. 6
Permutations courtesy of MLSsoccer.com
Colorado will clinch a playoff place with:
– Win vs. LAFC AND Dallas loss vs. Kansas City AND San Jose loss vs. Portland OR
– Win by three or more goals vs. LAFC AND Dallas loss vs. Kansas City AND San Jose tie vs. Portland
If Colorado wins by two goals, tiebreaker will be goals scored (COL: 57, SJ: 51).
Dallas will clinch a playoff place with:
– Win vs. Kansas City OR
– Tie vs. Kansas City AND San Jose loss or tie vs. Portland OR
– San Jose loss vs. Portland AND Colorado loss or tie vs. LAFC
Portland will clinch a playoff place with:
– Win or tie vs. San Jose OR
– Dallas loss or tie vs. Kansas City
San Jose will clinch a playoff place with:
– Win vs. Portland OR
– Tie vs. Portland AND Dallas loss vs. Kansas City AND Colorado loss or tie vs. LAFC OR
– Tie vs. Portland AND Dallas loss vs. Kansas City AND Colorado win by one goal vs. LAFC
If Colorado wins by two goals, tiebreaker will be goals scored (COL: 57, SJ: 51).
Eliminated from postseason contention
Eastern Conference: FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, Montreal Impact, Orlando City SC
Western Conference: Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo
When do the MLS Cup playoffs begin?
In addition to the field expanding to 14 teams, the calendar has shifted ahead by two weeks to begin on Oct. 19 and been compressed by the elimination of two-legged ties, with a return to single-elimination knockout.
Here is playoff schedule, leading up to the MLS Cup on Nov. 10 (3 p.m. ET, ABC).
Round 1
Saturday, Oct. 19 (time TBD)
Saturday, Oct. 19 (time TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)
Conference semifinals
Wednesday, Oct. 23 (time TBD)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 (time TBD)
Thursday, Oct. 24 (time TBD)
Thursday, Oct. 24 (time TBD)
Conference finals
Tuesday, Oct. 29 (time TBD)
Wednesday, Oct. 30 (time TBD)
MLS Cup
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