MLS Cup Playoffs: The Road to the Championship

The Stage is Set

The 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Playoffs are upon us, and the excitement is building. Twenty-eight teams will compete for the coveted MLS Cup, which will be awarded to the league champion on December 10th. The playoffs will feature a single-elimination format, with the top seven teams from each conference earning a berth. The remaining eight teams will compete in a play-in round to determine the final two playoff spots.

Contenders and Favorites

Several teams have emerged as contenders for the MLS Cup this season. LAFC, the Supporters' Shield winners, are the top seed in the Western Conference and are looking to win their second MLS Cup in three years. The Philadelphia Union, the Eastern Conference regular-season champions, are also among the favorites, having won the US Open Cup earlier this season.

Other teams to watch include the New England Revolution, FC Cincinnati, the Seattle Sounders, and Atlanta United. These teams have all performed well during the regular season and will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Playoff Format

The MLS Cup Playoffs will be played in a single-elimination format, with the top seven teams from each conference earning a berth. The remaining eight teams will compete in a play-in round to determine the final two playoff spots.

The play-in round will be held on October 18th and 19th, with the winners advancing to the first round of the playoffs. The first round of the playoffs will be held on October 22nd and 23rd, with the winners advancing to the conference semifinals.

The conference semifinals will be held on October 29th and 30th, with the winners advancing to the conference finals. The conference finals will be held on November 5th and 6th, with the winners advancing to the MLS Cup.

MLS Cup

The MLS Cup will be held on December 10th at a site to be determined. The match will be a single-elimination game, with the winner being crowned the MLS champion.