MLS DECISION DAY
MLS Decision Day: these are the teams qualified for the 2023 playoffs
FC Cincinnati and St. Louis have topped the East and West Conferences, but who else has secured passage to the post-season?
The MLS regular season reached a fascinating finale on Saturday with Decision Day 2023.
FC Cincinnati had already been crowned Supporters’ Shield winners, but was still plenty still to play for with ten teams battling it out for five remaining playoff places.
This year’s playoff qualification process was altered to include a Wild Card round for the first time. The expanded format sees 18 teams progress to the post-season, although two of them will not advance past the midweek Wild Card fixtures.
Eastern Conference playoff teams
In the East the following teams have all qualified for the playoffs: Cincinnati, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, Atlanta United, Nashville, New York Red Bulls and Charlotte FC.
Seven Eastern Conference teams had booked their places in the post-season ahead of Decision Day. Cincinnati, Orlando, Philadelphia, Columbus, New England Revolution, Atlanta and Nashville were all guaranteed a top seven finish, meaning that they have a spot in Round One of the playoffs.
The real drama came in the race for the the Wild Card spots, which go to the teams in 8th and 9th. Ahead of Decision Day any two of Montréal, New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire, Charlotte and New York FC could make it to the post-season. Final day wins for Charlotte FC and the New York Red Bulls secured their places in the Wild Card round of the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs.
The seven highest seeds in each conference get a bye to Round One, avoiding the Wild Card stage. Cincinnati will be the top seed in East, while Orlando, Columbus and Philadelphia complete the conference’s leading quartet. The four highest seeds in each conference get the advantage of playing two home games in the best-of-three Round One.
Western Conference playoff teams
The following teams have all qualified for the playoffs: St. Louis CITY SC, Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City and San Jose Earthquakes.
Surprise package St. Louis are the number one seed in the West. The Missourians are the first ever MLS expansion team to lead their conference at the end of their debut regular season.
The Western Conference’s Wild Card fixture will see Sporting KC host San Jose Earthquakes at Children’s Mercy Park.