The new season will bring new faces, with expansion side St. Louis City SC playingtheir inaugural campaign this year. But it’s safe to say the biggest change will be seen in the MLS Cup playoffs.

With the league expanding the postseason field to nine teams per conference, the playoffs will have a new format this year. Let’s take a look at how the 2023 MLS playoffs will work.

What is the MLS Cup playoff format for the 2023 season?

The 2023 MLS playoff format will be different from last year, with 18 teams making thebracket.The most significant changes will be the introduction oftwo single-legged Wild Card games that precede theRound One Best-of-3 series. The Conference Semifinals, Finals, and the MLS Cup will all have a single-game elimination format. The top 7 teams in each conference qualify for the Round One, while the 8 and 9 seeds set up the Wild Card round.

Wild Card Round

• Single-game elimination match in each conference.
• 8th seed hosts 9th seed
• There’s no overtime, penalty kicks are the tiebreaker
• The winner qualifies for Round One, meets the No. 1 seed in its respective conference

Round One

Per Conference:

• No.1 seed vs. Wild Card winner
• No. 2 vs. No. 7
• No. 3 vs. No. 6
• No. 4 vs. No. 5

How it works:

• Played to a Best-of-3 series
• The first team to win two matches advances.
• There will be no ties nor aggregate score: penalties will be the tiebreaker.
• The higher seed has home field advantage (home-away-home format)
• Winners advance to Conference semifinals

Conference Semifinals

Per conference:

• Winner of No. 1 vs. Wild Card teamvs. Winner of 4 vs. 5
• Winner of 3 vs. 6 vs. Winner of 2 vs. 7

Format:

• Single-game elimination matches
• Tiebreaker: two extra time periodsof 15 minutes each, if tie persists penalty kicks will determine winner.
• Winners advance to Conference Final

Conference Finals

• Single-elimination match per conference
• Higher seed hosts the game
• Tiebreaker: two 15-minute extra time periods, if tie persists penalty kicks will determine the winner.

MLS Cup

• Single match
• Higher seed hosts the final
• Tiebreaker: two 15-minute extra time periods, if tie persists penalty kicks will determine the winner.

When do the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs start?

The 2023 MLS Cup playoffs will get underway on Wednesday, October 25 with the first Wild Card game. The Round One will start that weekend, followed by the Conference Semifinals and Finals. The 2023 MLS Cup will take place on Saturday, December 9.

• Wild Card: Oct. 25-26
• Round One Best-of-3 series: Oct. 28-Nov. 12
• Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals: Nov. 25-Dec. 3
• MLS Cup: Dec. 9.

This will be their fifth overall meeting. Interestingly, there have been three draws so far with Los Angeles Football Clubwinning once. Philadelphia Union are yet to win a head-to-head encounter.

Their most recent game was played on May 8, 2022, and it ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw in the regular 2022 MLS season. It promises to be an even more exciting clash as they meet for the third time this year, this time to determine the new MLS Cup champion.

LAFC vs Philadelphia Union: Date

The 2022 MLS Cup Final game between LAFC and Philadelphia Union will be played on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

LAFC vs Philadelphia Union: Time by State in the US

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

TV Channel in the US to watch LAFC vs Philadelphia Union in MLS Cup 2022

The game to be played between LAFC and Philadelphia Union in the Final of the 2022 MLS Playoffs, will be broadcast on fuboTV (free trial) in the United States. Other options are SiriusXM FC,Univision NOW,Univision,TUDN USA,FOX Network,Foxsports.com,TUDN App,TUDN.com,FOX Sports App.

This will be their seventh overall meeting. Interestingly, FC Dallas are the slight favorites in head-to-head clashes, having celebrated a victory on two occasions so far; Austin FC are yet tograba triumph once to this day, and the remaining four matches have ended in a draw.

Their most recent game was played on July 17, 2022, when the game ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw in the regular 2022 MLS season. It promises to be an even more exciting clash as they meet for the third time this year, this time in the MLS Playoffs 2022.

Austin vs FC Dallas: Match Information

Date: Sunday, October 23, 2022
Time: 8:00 PM (ET)
Location: Q2 Stadium, Austin
Live Stream: fuboTV (7-Day Free Trial Streaming)

Austin vs FC Dallas: Times by State in the US

ET: 8:00 PM
CT: 7:00 PM
MT: 6:00 PM
PT: 5:00 PM

Austin vs FC Dallas: Storylines

In the First Round, Austin FC have had to beatReal Salt Lake on penalties to get to the Conference Semifinals. Meanwhile, FC Dallas set up a meeting with Josh Wolff’s players after overcoming Minnesota United FC also on penalties.

These opponents don’t have a long history of clashes as their first one dates back to April 7, 2021, and it ended in a thrilling 4-3 Dallas win on penalties in an international friendly. Thanks to this exciting clash, we will see which club will face Los Angeles FC in the Western Conference Finals.

How To Watch Or Stream Live Free Austin vs FC Dallas in the U.S.

The 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semi-Finals game between Austin and FC Dallas, to be played today, at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, will be broadcast on fuboTV (7 Day Free Trial Streaming), as well asESPN Deportes+,ESPN Deportes,ESPN,ESPN3,SiriusXM FCin the United States.

Austin vs FC Dallas: Predictions And Odds

The odds are heavily in favor of Austin. BetMGM see them as the slight favorites to move to the next stage and they have given them 1.93 odds. The away side FC Dallas, meanwhile, have 3.60 odds to cause an upset and secure a spot in the Conference Finals, while a tie would result in a 3.60 payout.

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* Odds via BetMGM

This will be their 20th overall meeting. No surprises here asNew York City FC are the massive favorites in head-to-head clashes, having celebrated a victory on 12 occasions so far; CF Montrealhave grabbed a triumph only two times to this day, and the remaining five matches have ended in a draw.

Their most recent game was played on July 31, 2022, when the game ended in a disappointing goalless0-0 draw in the regular 2022 MLS season. It promises to be an even more exciting clash as they meet for the third time this year, this time in the MLS Playoffs 2022.

Montreal vs NYCFC: Match Information

Date: Sunday, October 23, 2022
Time: 7:00 PM (ET)
Location: Saputo Stadium, Montreal
Live Stream: fuboTV (7-Day Free Trial Streaming)

Montreal vs NYCFC: Times by State in the US

ET: 7:00 PM
CT: 6:00 PM
MT: 5:00 PM
PT: 4:00 PM

Montreal vs NYCFC: Storylines

In the First Round, Montreal FC have had to beat Orlando City2-0 at home to get to the Conference Semifinals. Meanwhile, NYCFC set up a meeting with the Canadian side after overcoming Inter Miami 3-0 at home.

These opponents don’t have a long history of clashes as their first one dates back to June 14, 2015, and it ended in a thrilling 3-1 win for the New York clubat home in the 2015 MLS season. Thanks to this exciting clash, we will see which club will face Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference Finals.

How To Watch Or Stream Live Free Montreal vs NYCFC in the U.S.

The 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semi-Finals game between Montreal and NYCFC, to be played today, at the Saputo Stadium in Montreal, will be broadcast on fuboTV (7 Day Free Trial Streaming), as well as ESPN3,ESPN,SiriusXM FC in the United States.

Montreal vs NYCFC: Predictions And Odds

The odds are heavily in favor of Montreal. BetMGM see them as the slight favorites to move to the next stage and they have given them 2.00 odds. The away side NYCFC, meanwhile, have 3.50 odds to cause an upset and secure a spot in the Conference Finals, while a tie would result in a 3.40 payout.

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* Odds via BetMGM

This will be their third overall meeting. Interestingly, Los Angeles Galaxy have just one triumph so far in their head-to-head matches. Nashville SC are yet to celebrate a victory to this day, and the remaining match hasended in a draw so far.

Their most recent game was played on September 10, 2022, and it ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw in the regular 2022 MLS season. It promises to be an even more exciting clash as they meet for the third time this year, to decide who will move on to the Conference Semifinals.

LA Galaxy vs Nashville SC: Date

The 2022 MLS Playoffs First Round game between LA Galaxy and Nashville SC will be played on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles.

LA Galaxy vs Nashville SC: Time by State in the US

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

TV Channel in the US to watch LA Galaxy vs Nashville SC in MLS Playoffs 2022

The game to be played between LA Galaxy and Nashville SC in the First Round of the 2022 MLS Playoffs, will be broadcast on fuboTV (free trial) in the United States. Other options are ESPN+.

This will be their seventh overall meeting. To surprises here asPortland Timbers are the absolutefavorites in head-to-head clashes, having celebrated a victory on five occasionsso far; New York City FC have grabbed a triumph just onceto this day, and nomatcheshave ended in a draw.

Their most recent game was played on August 1, 2020, when the Timbers woncomfortably 3-1 away at the Yankee Stadium in New Yorkin theQuarter-Finals of the 2020 MLS Is Back tournament. It promises to be an even more exciting clash as they meet for the first time since then, thistime to determine the newMLS Cup champion.

Portland Timbers vs New York City FC: Time of the game

Argentina:5:00PM

Brazil:5:00PM

United States:3:00PM(ET), 2:00 PM (CT), 1:00 PM (MT), 12:00 PM (PT)

Canada:12:00PM (PT), 1:00PM (MT), 2:00PM (CT), 3:00PM (ET), 4:00 PM (AT)

Mexico:2:00PM

UK:8:00 PM

Germany:9:00PM

France:9:00PM

Portugal:8:00PM

Italy:9:00PM

Spain:9:00PM

Portland Timbers vs New York City FC: TV Channel, how and where to watch or stream live online

Argentina:ESPN Extra,Star+

Brazil:ESPN (Brasil),Star+,DAZN,NOW NET e Claro,GUIGO

United States:FuboTV (Free Trial),Univision NOW,TUDN.com,SiriusXM FC,ABC App,TUDN App,ABC,TUDN USA,UniMás

Canada:TVA Sports,TSN5,TSN App,TSN1,TSN.ca

Mexico:ESPN2 Mexico,Star+

UK:FreeSports TV UK,Sky Sports Main Event,Sky Sports Football,SKY GO Extra

Germany:DAZN,sportdigital

Portugal:Sport TV5,Sport TV Multiscreen

Italy:DAZN

Spain:DAZN

Every other major North American sports league employs a playoff tournament after the regular season to choose its yearly league champion. This structure contrasts with other soccer leagues throughout the world, which award the Supporters’ Shield to the team with the highest points at the end of the season.

A team from the United States that wins the MLS Cup is given one of the country’s four spots in the CONCACAF Champions League the following season. The three MLS Canadian teams can only qualify for the Champions League through the Canadian Championship; if one of them wins the MLS Cup, the Champions League slot is given to the highest-placed U.S.-based team in the overall regular-season table who did not previously qualify.

MLS Cup year by year winners

The winner of the MLS Cup, the last match of the MLS Cup Playoffs, becomes the league champion for that season. The league hosts a postseason event at the end of the regular season in a structure similar to that of other North American professional sports leagues.

The tournament is accessible to the Eastern and Western Conference’s top seven teams. On October 20, 1996, the inaugural MLS Cup final was held, whenDCUnited beat the Los Angeles Galaxy to lift the trophy. With five cup triumphs to date, the Galaxy hold the record for most championships.

The New England Revolution holdthe record for most championships lost, having lost five times in theirexistence. On three times, the tournament has been won by the same squad for two or more years in a row.

The competition began on November 20 and will finish on December 11 with the MLS Cup 2021. After placing eighth in the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Crew, the defending MLS Cup winners, failed to make the playoffs. No team from Texas has qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs since 2004, and no team from California has ever qualified.

The game will be held at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, and will be hosted by the Timbers.An interesting fact is that noMLS Cup Finals haveever been held in Portland yet, whilst New York City FC havenever participated in one of these tournaments.

How much does the2021 MLS Cup champion get?

The overall prize pool for the 2021 MLS Cup is estimated to be about $1.1 million. The victor of the MLS Cup will get $300,000 in addition to a guaranteed spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.

The runner-up receives $150,000, while the two Semi-Finalslosers each receive $100,000. Each four of the Quarter-Finals teams will be awarded $47,500. Eight separate teams are awarded $20,000 for making the Round of 16, while each Group Stage win isworth $14,000.

Under the collective labor agreement, the prize money is structured similarly to the league’s regular-season and playoff bonuses.Depending on the scenario, the prize pool for the 2022MLS Cupmight grow, as itsprize money list isyet to be released.

This was their seventh overall meeting. Portland Timbers werethe absolutefavorites in head-to-head clashes, having celebrated a victory on five occasionsso far; New York City FC have grabbed a triumph just once to this day,and, before the final, nomatcheshadended in a draw.

Before the 2021 MLS Cup final, their most recent game was played on August 1, 2020, when the Timbers woncomfortably 3-1 away at the Yankee Stadium in New Yorkin theQuarter-Finals of the 2020 MLS Is Back tournament.

New York City FC: Past Cup wins

On Saturday, December 11, New York City FC marked their debut in the MLS Cup Finals and it’s first trophy. In 2015, they missed out on the MLS Cup Playoffs, finishing eighth in theEastern Conference with 37 points. The next season, new coach Patrick Vieiraled them to their first MLSPlayoffs participation, as well as a second-place finish in the Supporters’ Shield.

The furthest thePigeonsgot wastheConference Semi-Finals, where they were defeated 7-0 on aggregate by Toronto FC. In 2017, NYFC ended the regular season in second placein theEastern Conference with 57, securing a directConference Semi-Finals spot. They were again stopped at that particular stage, this time byColumbus Crew (4-3 on aggregate).

The following two seasons were also unsuccessful for theBoys in Blue, reaching theConference Semi-Finals stage twice, only to lose toAtlanta United (4-1 on aggregate), andToronto FC 2-1 respectively in the 2019 MLS Playoffs. In their previous attempt, inMLS 2020, they failed to get past theFirst Round, losing to Orlando Cityon penalties, after a 1-1 draw.

This will be their seventh overall meeting. There are no surprises here asPortland Timbers are the absolutefavorites in head-to-head clashes, having celebrated a victory on five occasionsso far; New York City FC have grabbed a triumph just onceto this day, and nomatcheshave ended in a draw.

Their most recent game was played on August 1, 2020, when the Timbers woncomfortably 3-1 away at the Yankee Stadium in New Yorkin theQuarter-Finals of the 2020 MLS Is Back tournament. It promises to be an even more exciting clash as they meet for the first time since then, thistime to determine the newMLS Cup champion.

Portland Timbers: PastMLS Cup wins

The Timbers’ legacy, which dates back to the original North American Soccer League and has been recognized by the team, celebrated its fifth anniversary as an MLS franchise in 2015, as well as the 40th anniversary of the team’s legacy, which dates back to the original North American Soccer League.

In 2015, theyqualified for the MLS Playoffs for the second consecutive season in a very competitive Western Conference, finishing in the third position in the Western Conference.Later, they advanced to their first-ever MLS Cup appearance, defeatingColumbus Crew 2-1 in the 2015MLS Cup Final, with Diego Valeri scoring the quickest MLS Cup goal, followed by a header from Rodney Wallace in the first half.

Despite losing a goal to Columbus forward Kei Kamara, the Portland Timbers held on to win their first Major League Soccer title, becoming the first team from the Cascadia rivalry to accomplish so. In2018, they secured their second MLS Cup Final spot, where they were beaten 2-0 by Atlanta United.

This will be their seventh overall meeting. To surprises here asPortland Timbers are the absolutefavorites in head-to-head clashes, having celebrated a victory on five occasionsso far; New York City FC have grabbed a triumph just onceto this day, and nomatcheshave ended in a draw.

Their most recent game was played on August 1, 2020, when the Timbers woncomfortably 3-1 away at the Yankee Stadium in New Yorkin theQuarter-Finals of the 2020 MLS Is Back tournament. It promises to be an even more exciting clash as they meet for the first time since then, thistime to determine the newMLS Cup champion.

Portland Timbers probablelineup

Last Saturday, Felipe Mora scored the game-winning goal for Portland, while Santiago Moreno and Marvin Loria made their first career playoff appearances for the club, the latter scoring on a brilliant long-range effort that struck the post and then rebounded off RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa before going in.

Dairon Asprilla is eligible to return following his red card ban, whilst Blanco is doubtful due to a hamstring ailment. Meanwhile, Eryk Williamson has an ACL rupture, and Andy Polo, Jeff Attinella, and Ismaila Jome will all miss time after undergoing season-ending surgery months ago.

Portland Timbers possible starting XI:
Clark; Van Rankin, Mabiala, Zuparic, Bravo; DiegoChara, Paredes; Asprilla, YimmiChara, Valeri; Mora.

New York City FC probable lineup

After serving a red-card suspension, Valentin Castellanos will return to the lineup, but Anton Tinnerholm and Keaton Parks will miss this game due to injuries to their Achilles and blood clot surgery, respectively. Heber was the lone newcomer to their starting lineup against Philadelphia Union in the Semi-Finals, replacing the banned Castellanos, while goalkeeper Sean Johnson has let up more goals than usual.

New York City FC possible starting XI:
Johnson; Amundsen, Callens, Chanot, Gray; Morales, Sands; Rodriguez, Moralez, Medina; Castellanos.