MLS
MLS 2024 first round Playoffs confirmed: teams, times, schedule, format
With Atalanta and Vancouver advancing from the wild-card round, we now know the 16 sides in contention for MLS Cup.
Both Atlanta United and Vancouver Whitecaps negotiated the wild-card round at the expense of Montreal and Portland to secure their place in the next stage of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs as the first round featuring 16 teams now moves to a best-of-three format for this stage of the competition.
Eastern Conference: qualified teams
Seeds:Team
1) Inter Miami
2) Columbus Crew
3) FC Cincinnati
4) Orlando City
5) Charlotte FC
6) NYCFC
7) NY Red Bull
8) Atlanta United
Western Conference: qualified teams
Teams:Seeds
1) LAFC
2) LA Galaxy
3) Real Salt Lake
4) Seattle Sounders
5) Houston Dynamo
6) Minnesota United
7) Colorado Rapids
8) Vancouver Whitecaps
For this first round, no extra time will be played and both teams will see games resolved from the penalty spot to determine the winner with the first team to win two games progressing to the next stage.
Conference semifinals
The eight sides who advance will then participate in the Conference semi-finals which will be single games with the game hosted by the higher seed with extra-time and a penalty shoot-out employed should matches be tied.
The Conference finals and MLS Cup will follow the same format with games potentially decided on extra-time and a shoot-out.
MLS Cup favourites
Inter Miami amassed a record 74 points from their 34 games in the regular season and the Supporters’ Shield winners (and FIFA Club cup representatives) are certainly the ‘team to beat’ with the Herons propelled by Argentina’s Leo Messi who ended the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 games, averaging 1.05 goals per game and leading the team in both categories, tied with Luis Suárez for goals scored.
Reigning MLS Cup holders Columbus Crew are always a threat and have proven to be an astute side in negotiating one-off games and are expected to go deep in the competition.
In the West, both Los Angeles based teams are on a solid run of form and are expected to reach the latter stages with in-form Orlando City a solid outside bet to surprise many.
MLS Cup: Round 1 schedule
Eastern Conference
Game 1
Inter Miami vs Atlanta United: 25 October - 8:30 pm ET
Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC: 27 October - 7:30 pm ET
FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC: 28 October - 6:45 pm ET
Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls: 29 October - 6:45 pm ET
Game 2
Charlotte FC vs Orlando City SC: 1 November - 7:30 pm ET
New York City FC vs FC Cincinnati: 2 November tbc
Atlanta United vs Inter Miami: 2 November 7pm ET
New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Crew: 3 November 4:30 om ET
Game 3*
FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC: 9 November - 4pm ET
Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC: 9 November - 6pm ET
Inter Miami vs Atlanta United: 9 November - 8pm ET
Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls: 10 November - 5pm ET
*If third game needed
MLS Cup: Round 1 schedule
Western Conference
Game 1
LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids: 26 October: 11pm ET
LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps: 27 October: 9:45 pm ET
Seattle Sounders vs Houston Dynamo: 28 October: 9pm ET
Real Salt Lake vs Minnesota United: 29 October: 9pm ET
Game 2
Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy: 1 November - 9:30pm ET
Minnesota United vs Real Salt Lake: 3 November - 9pm ET
Houston Dynamo vs Seattle Sounders: 4 Novemner: 6:30pm ET
Vancouver Whitecaps vs LAFC: 4 November - 8:45pm ET
Game 3*
Real Salt Lake vs Minnesota United: 8 November - 8pm ET
LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps - 8 November: 11pm ET
LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids - 9 November - 9pm ET
Seattle Sounders vs Houston Dynamo - 10 November - 7pm ET
* if third game required