MLS Playoffs: The Race for the MLS Cup

Tournament Format

The MLS playoffs are a single-elimination tournament, with the top seven teams from each conference qualifying. The top team from each conference receives a bye to the conference semifinals, while the remaining six teams compete in a single-elimination wild-card round. The winners of the wild-card round advance to the conference semifinals, where they will face the top teams from each conference. The winners of the conference semifinals advance to the MLS Cup, which will be played on November 5th.

Teams to Watch

There are several teams that are considered to be contenders for the MLS Cup this year. In the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati, the Philadelphia Union, and the New England Revolution are all considered to be among the favorites. In the Western Conference, LAFC, the Seattle Sounders, and FC Dallas are all considered to be contenders.

Key Players

There are several key players who could make a difference in the MLS playoffs this year. In the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta, the Philadelphia Union's Daniel Gazdag, and the New England Revolution's Carles Gil are all capable of creating scoring chances for their teams. In the Western Conference, LAFC's Carlos Vela, the Seattle Sounders' Raúl Ruidíaz, and FC Dallas' Ricardo Pepi are all dangerous goal-scorers.

How to Watch

The MLS playoffs will be televised on ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and Univision. You can also stream the playoffs on ESPN+, Fox Sports Go, and Univision Now.

Schedule

The MLS playoffs will begin on October 15th with the wild-card round. The conference semifinals will be played on October 22nd and 23rd, and the MLS Cup will be played on November 5th.

Conclusion

The MLS playoffs are always an exciting time of year, and this year's playoffs are sure to be no different. With several teams capable of winning the MLS Cup, the playoffs are sure to be filled with drama and excitement.