Aside from expansion, Major League Soccer continues to evolve in other ways as well. That includes changing up the league's playoff format for the 2023 season.
Let's dive into everything fans should know about the new format ahead of the postseason.
- MLS Playoffs Format and Changes 2023
- MLS Playoffs Wild Card Format 2023
- MLS Playoffs First Round Format 2023
- MLS Playoffs Conference Semifinals Format 2023
- MLS Playoffs Conference Finals Format 2023
- MLS Cup Final Format 2023
- How many teams make the MLS Playoffs?
- How do the MLS Playoffs work?
- When do the MLS Playoffs start?
- Is the MLS Playoffs single-elimination?
MLS Playoffs Format and Changes 2023
MLS announced massive changes to its playoffs ahead of the 2023 season. The number of MLS teams that make the postseason from each conference has been increased from seven to nine, meaning 18 of the league's 29 total clubs will participate.
The format of each round of the playoffs has been altered significantly as well. Major League Soccer has added a Wild Card stage that officially kicks off the postseason with two single-elimination games. These matches will feature seeds 8 and 9 from each conference facing each other in hopes of advancing to Round 1.
The addition of a Wild Card team means the No. 1 seed in each con ference will no longer receive a first-round bye. Instead, Round 1 will see seeds 1-7, plus whoever wins the 8 vs. 9 Wild Card match, all in action. This stage is also now a best-of-three series, ditching the single-elimination style that was used previously.
Round 2, the conference finals and MLS Cup all remain a single-elimination stage.
MLS Playoffs Wild Card Format 2023
The 2023 MLS Playoffs will see the debut of a new Wild Card round. This stage features two games: the No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed from the Eastern Conference, and the No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed from the Western Conference. Whoever wins advances to Round 1 of the postseason and faces the N o. 1 seed from their respective conference.
The Wild Card round of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs is single-elimination, so the losers of each match are sent home. The No. 8 seed in each conference will host the No. 9 seed for this contest. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, no extra time period will be played; instead, the match immediately goes to a penalty kick shootout until a winner is declared.
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MLS Playoffs First Round Format 2023
The first round of the 2023 MLS P layoffs will be significantly different than previous years. This stage now features eight teams from each conference in action: seeds 1-7 from the regular season, plus whoever advances from the Wild Card round. The addition of a Wild Card team to the mix means the No. 1 seed from the Eastern and Western conferences will no longer receive a first-round bye.
Another notable change to Round 1 of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs is the format. Instead of this stage being just one single-elimination game, it's now a best-of-three series. Matches will alternate sites, with the better seed hosting Game 1 and 3 (if the latter is necessary), while the worse seed plays at home in Game 2.
During the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, no ties will occur. If a game is tied at the en d of regulation, the contest goes straight to a penalty kick shootout to determine a winner.
MLS Playoffs Conference Semifinals Format 2023
The second round, or conference semifinals, of the 2023 MLS Playoffs will feature four single-elimination games involving the eight remaining teams. The better seed earns home-field advantage for this do-or-die contest.
Unlike the first round, the conference semis will utilize extra time if the matchup is tied at the end of regulation. Two extra 15-minute periods are added in this stage of the postseason and will be played in their entirety, instead of using a "golden goal" format that ends the game once a team scores. If the score is still tied, then the contest goes to a penalty kick shootout.
MLS Playoffs Conference Finals Format 2023
The MLS Playoffs conference finals are very straightforward. The better seed in each conference hosts the worse seed in a single-elimination game to determine who advances to the MLS Cup Final.
Just like the conference semis, this stage adopts extra time if the match is tied at the end of regulation. Two extra 15-minute periods will be added and played in their entirety. If the score remains tied, the game then goes to a penalty kick shootout.
MLS Cup Final Format 2023
The 2023 MLS Cup Final will be a single game between the two winners of each conference, with the better seed hosting the worse seed. This stage features two 15-minute periods of extra time if the score is tied following regulation. The game then goes to a penalty kick shootout if the score remains even after extra time.
In 2023, a total of 18 teams (nine from each conference) wlll make the MLS Cup Playoffs. This up from the 14 total clubs that participated in 2022.
The 2023 MLS Playoffs will include five stages. It begins with a single-elimination Wild Card round that pits the 8 and 9 seeds from each conference against each other. That's followed by Round 1, which features eight teams from each conference playing best-of-three series. The conference semifinals, finals and MLS Cup follow, all of which are single-elimination.
The 2023 MLS Playoffs begin with the Wild Card round on Oct. 25 and 26. Round 1 is slated for Oct. 28-Nov. 2, while the conference semifinals and finals will go from Nov. 25-Dec. 3. The MLS Cup Final is scheduled for Dec. 9.
The 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs will feature four single-elimination stages: the Wild Card round, conference semifinals, conference finals and MLS Cup Final. Meanwhile, Round 1 of the postseason will utilize best-of-three series.