Which MLS teams have qualified for the playoffs? Schedule, start date
All but four teams are still in contention for the MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami were the first to book their post-season place.
As we approach the MLS regular season finale, the picture is starting to take shape at the top of both conferences. Inter Miami have long since secured their passage to the playoffs and now, with just three more matchdays remaining, another 12 teams have joined them.
Which teams have qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs?
Eastern Conference
- Inter Miami
- Columbus Crew
- FC Cincinnati
- Orlando City
- New York City FC
- Red Bull New York
Western Conference
- LA Galaxy
- LAFC
- Real Salt Lake
- Colorado Rapids
- Seattle Sounders
- Houston Dynamo
- Vancouver Whitecaps
After the star-studded Inter Miami, reigning Supporters’ Shield champions FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, the 2023 MLS Cup winners, were next to qualify in the East.
In the Western Conference the top seven have all booked their places and there are now four teams battling it out for the final two places. There are just three points separating fourth-placed Colorado Rapids and the Portland Timbers in 9th, meaning that there’s plenty to play for in terms of home advantage and the Wild Card places in the final weeks.
With the result tonight in Chicago, @NewYorkRedBulls are headed to the Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 29, 2024
The Red Bulls extend their postseason streak to 15 consecutive seasons. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/8sbq2MSl75
MLS Cup playoffs: Start date and schedule
Of the 18 playoffs places, only five are still up for grabs. But with home advantage for Round One offered to the top four finishers in each conference, teams will be eager to end the regular season strongly. The top seven teams in each conference will progress to Round One of the post-season proper, while two other teams will battle it out for the eighth spot via the Wild Card games.
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The Wild Card round was a new addition for 2023, introducing a one-off winner-takes-all game between the teams in eighth and ninth in each conference.
MLS Cup playoffs schedule
- Decision Day - Saturday, October 19
- Wild Card Round - Wednesday, October 23
- Round One (Best-of-3 series) - Saturday, October 26 - Sunday, November 10
- Conference Semi-finals - Saturday, November 23 - Sunday, November 24
- Conference Finals - Saturday, November 30 - Sunday, December 1
- MLS Cup - Saturday, December 7
The regular season ends with Decision Day on Saturday, October 19. Across one afternoon 28 MLS teams will be action with games played in two simultaneous bursts, first the Eastern Conference and then the Western Conference. Last year’s eventual MLS Cup winners, Columbus Crew, finished third in the Eastern Conference but bulldozed their way to the 2023 title, beating Supporters’ Shield champions FC Cincinnati en route to the final.
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