MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
MLS Cup Playoff penalties rules: what happens if a playoff game is tied?
As the eight Conference semi-finalists go head-to-head this weekend, we take a look at what happens in the event of a tie.
There will be more drama from the MLS Cup Playoffs this weekend as eight teams face off in the Conference semi-finals.
On Saturday four teams from the East will play in two matches to decide whom will go head-to-head in the Conference final. The same will happen in the Western Conference on Sunday, ahead of the Conference finals on Saturday 2 December.
The Conference semi-finals are single-elimination games, meaning that the victor will be decided on the night.
What happens if a playoff game is tied?
Unlike Round One, where teams played in best-of-three series, the semi-finals and final will be one-legged affairs. The winner at the end of the 90 minutes will proceed to the next round.
If the scores are level after the regulation time another 30 minutes will be played, divided into two 15-minute halves, to decide a winner. If the game is still tied after the additional half an hour, the fixture will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Which team hosts in the playoffs?
Throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs, the higher-ranked team will be given home advantage.
In Round One that meant playing the first and third games on home turf. For the single-elimination semi-finals and final, the game will be hosted by the team with the higher regular season league finish.
That changes slightly in the MLS Cup final, with one team from each Conference. For this game the team with the most regular season points will be given home advantage. In the event of a tie the number of wins, and then goal difference, will be used to decide the host.