soccer
2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs: Where will the final be held?
Clubs who finished higher in the regular MLS season standings will host matches in the 2022 Audi MLS Cup, including the final
We know when the MLS Cup final will take place – 5 November. But what we don’t yet know is where. Rather than hold the end-of-season showpiece at a determined venue, its location will depend on which teams qualify for the final.
As is the case in other rounds of the Playoffs, priority will be given to clubs who performed better in the regular MLS season.
Clubs finishing higher in the regular season get 2022 MLS Cup hosting priority
In the first round of the Playoffs, the fourth-placed clubs in either Conference host the one that finished fifth, third plays at home to sixth and second hosts seventh. Conference winners Los Angeles FC and Philadelphia Union skip the first round and enter directly at the semi-final stage, where the qualified team who finished higher up in the regular season standings will again have a home tie. This will also be the case in the Conference finals.
When it comes to where the MLS Cup final will be played on 5 November, we must look away from the Conference standings and instead focus on the overall league table. Once more, the club which finished higher across 34 games will have home advantage.
In the case that the two finalists finished the regular season on the same number of points (e.g. New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas this term), the club with the highest number of regular-season victories – or better goal difference if they are tied in that category – will host.
As winners of the 2022 Supporters’ Shield, LAFC will play every Playoff match at home for as long as they are involved. On the other hand, Real Salt Lake, last to qualify in 14th spot, are guaranteed to be on the road for every match.
2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs first round schedule
The 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs first round matchups are as follows:
Eastern Conference
New York Red Bulls vs FC Cincinnati
New York City FC vs Inter Miami
Montreal vs Orlando City
Philadelphia Union, as winners of the Eastern Conference, will face the victors of the New York Red Bulls vs FC Cincinnati tie in the semi-finals.
Western Conference
LA Galaxy vs Nashville
FC Dallas vs Minnesota United
Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake
The winners of the LA Galaxy vs Nashville clash will take on Western Conference table-toppers Los Angeles FC in the semi-finals.
2022 Audi MLS Cup schedule
The 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs first round will take place between 15 and 17 October. The semi-finals follow on October 20 and 23, with the Conference finals scheduled for October 30.
The winners of the two Conference finals will then meet on 5 November to decide the MLS Cup champions for 2022.