MLS playoff bracket: Teams, schedule, how to watch race for MLS Cup
This story has been updated with MLS playoff results through Saturday, Nov. 2.
The 2024 MLS playoffs are here, coming hot on the tail of a dramatic end to the regular season that saw Lionel Messi and Inter Miami set a new league points record to top the standings.
The postseason begins just three days after the end of the regular season, with CF Montréal and Atlanta United squaring off in the wild card round Tuesday night. On Wednesday, the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps will meet in a clash between Pacific Northwest teams.
Miami will surely be among the favorites, but they're far from alone. The Columbus Crew, the defending MLS Cup champions, have beaten Messi and co. this year, while LAFC is looking to repeat their trophy lift from 2022. After a few poor seasons, the LA Galaxy are back among the contenders, while a consistently high-flying FC Cincinnati will be looking to prove they can deliver in knockout competition.
Here's what you need to know about the full MLS playoff bracket, schedule, and how to watch all the way through MLS Cup:
MLS playoff bracket
Nine teams from each conference have qualified for the 2024 MLS playoffs. The structure includes a single-elimination wild card round beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 22, followed by the best-of-three Round 1 that kicks off on Friday, Oct. 25 – with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in action.
From there, the single-game format returns for the conference semifinals, conference finals, and MLS Cup (with the higher seed hosting in all three rounds).
MLS playoffs – wild card round
- CF Montréal vs. Atlanta United
- Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Note: The No. 8 seed Vancouver Whitecaps have relinquished home-field advantage for the wild card round due to a stadium availability conflict. As a result, the No. 9 seed Portland Timbers will host the Western Conference's wild card match.
MLS playoffs – Round 1
Eastern Conference
- Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United
- Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls
- FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC
- Orlando City vs. Charlotte FC
Western Conference
- LAFC vs. West Wild Card winner
- LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
- Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United
- Seattle Sounders vs. Houston Dynamo
MLS playoffs – Conference Semifinals
- Winner of East No. 1-East No. 9 vs. Winner of East No. 4-East No. 5
- Winner of East No. 2-East No. 7 vs. Winner of East No. 3-East No. 6
- Winner of West No. 1-West No. 8/9 vs. Winner of West No. 4-West No. 5
- Winner of West No. 2-West No. 7 vs. Winner of West No. 3-West No. 6
MLS playoffs – Conference Finals
- Highest-remaining East seed vs. Lowest-remaining East seed
- Highest-remaining West seed vs. Lowest-remaining West seed
MLS Cup
- East Champion vs. West Champion
Note: MLS Cup hosting rights will go to the team with the best regular-season record.
MLS playoff schedule by day
All times Eastern. Home teams listed first.
Tuesday, Oct. 22 – Wild card round
- CF Montréal 2-2 Atlanta United (Atlanta United advances 5-4 on penalty kicks)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Wild card round
- Portland Timbers 0-5 Vancouver Whitecaps
Friday, Oct. 25 – Round One, Game 1
- Inter Miami 2-1 Atlanta United
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Round One, Game 1
- LA Galaxy 5-0 Colorado Rapids
Sunday, Oct. 27 – Round One, Game 1
- Orlando City 2-0 Charlotte FC
- LAFC 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps
Monday, Oct. 28 – Round One, Game 1
- FC Cincinnati 1-0 New York City FC
- Seattle Sounders 0-0 Houston Dynamo (Seattle wins 5-4 on penalty kicks)
Tuesday, Oct 29. – Round One, Game 1
- Columbus Crew 0-1 New York Red Bulls
- Real Salt Lake 0-0 Minnesota United (Minnesota United wins 5-4 on penalty kicks)
Nov. 1 – Round One, Game 2
- Charlotte FC 0-0 Orlando City (Charlotte FC wins 3-1 on penalty kicks)
- Colorado Rapids 1-4 LA Galaxy
Nov. 2 – Round One, Game 2
- New York City FC 3-1 FC Cincinnati
- Atlanta United 2-1 Inter Miami
- Minnesota United 1-1 Real Salt Lake (Minnesota United wins 3-1 on penalty kicks)
Nov. 3 – Round One, Game 2
- New York Red Bulls 2-2 Columbus Crew (New York Red Bulls win 5-4 on penalty kicks)
- Houston Dynamo 1-1 Seattle Sounders (Seattle Sounders win 7-6 on penalty kicks)
- Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 LAFC
Nov. 8 – Round One, Game 3
- LAFC 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps
Nov. 9 – Round One, Game 3
- FC Cincinnati 0-0 New York City FC (New York City FC wins 6-5 on penalty kicks)
- Orlando City 1-1 Charlotte FC (Orlando City wins 4-1 on penalty kicks)
- Inter Miami 2-3 Atlanta United
Nov. 23 – Conference semifinals
- New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls — 5:30 p.m.
- LAFC vs. Seattle Sounders — 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 24 – Conference semifinals
- Orlando City vs. Atlanta United — 3:30 p.m.
- LA Galaxy vs. Minnesota United — 6:00 p.m.
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 – Conference finals
- Eastern Conference final: Teams and time TBD
- Western Conference final: Teams and time TBD
Dec. 7 – MLS Cup
- Teams, TBD, 4 p.m.
How to watch MLS playoffs
Every game of the 2024 MLS playoffs will be streamed on Apple TV.
Select games, including MLS Cup, will be broadcast on Fox and FS1, and streamed via Fubo. Additionally, matches involving Canadian clubs will be carried in Canada by TSN (English) and RDS (French).
Watch select MLS playoff matches with a Fubo subscription
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