MLS Cup 2020 Playoffshave a new format, the MLS have confirmed on Friday, September 11.Here, you willfind everythingthere is to know about thenew format, the schedule, the qualification round and the brackets.
The MLS Cup Playoffis anannualelimination tournamentof the MLSwhich isplayed after the end of each regular season.The final match of the tournamentdecides the MLS champion.
Seattle Sounders FC won theMLS Cup 2019, beatingToronto FC 3-1 in the final. Prior tothat, they claimed victories againstFC Dallas, Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles FC.
MLS Cup 2020 Playoffs New Format
Under the format which was adapted for the MLS Cup 2019Playoffs, 14 teamsqualifiedfor the tournament. Thus the seven highest-placed teams from both theEastern ConferenceandWestern Conference participated in last year’s event.
The MLS Cup 2020 Playoffs format has been expanded to 18 clubs. 10 of whichwill come fromtheEastern Conferenceandeight from the Western Conference.
MLS Cup 2020 Playoffs Schedule And How To Watch
FromSeptember18 toSeptember27, the MLS clubs are scheduled to playthreeregular-seasonmatches. MLShave added that theadditional regular-seasongameswill be announcedshortly.
The three Canadianteams will finally play each of their games in the USA starting from September18. As a result of the travel restrictions in theUnited States, theCanadian sides are currently play againsteach otherin a series of nine matches. Below, we’ll show you the full schedule and how to watch the games (via MLS):
Eastern Conference Play-In Match #1 – Fri., November 20 at 6:30 PM ET
USA: FS1, FOX Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Eastern Conference Play-In Match #2 – Fri., November 20 at 8:30 PM ET
USA: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Round One Match #1 – Sat., November 21 at 12:00 PM ET
USA: UniMás, TUDN
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Round One Match #2 – Sat., November 21 at 3:00 PM ET
USA: UniMás, TUDN
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Round One Match #3 – Sun., November 22 at 4:00 PM ET
USA: FS1, FOX Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Round One Match #4 – Sun., November 22 at 7:30 PM ET
USA: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Round One Match #5 – Sun., November 22 at 10:00 PM ET
USA: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Round One Match #6 – Tue., November 24 at 6:00 PM ET
USA: FS1, FOX Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Round One Match #7 – Tue., November 24 at 8:00 PM ET
USA: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Round One Match #8 – Tue., November 24 at 10:30 PM ET
USA: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Conference Semifinal #1 – Sun., November 29 at 3:00 PM ET
USA: ABC, ESPN Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Conference Semifinal #2 – Sun., November 29 at 8:00 PM ET
USA: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Conference Semifinal #3 – Tue., December 1 at 6:30 or 9:00 PM ET
USA: FS1, FOX Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Conference Semifinal #4 – Wed., December 2 at 6:30 or 9:00 PM ET
USA: FS1, FOX Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Conference Final #1 – Sun., December 6 at 3:00 PM ET
USA: ABC, ESPN Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
Conference Final #2 – Sun., December 6 at 6:30 PM ET
USA: FS1, FOX Deportes
CAN: TSN, TVA Sport
MLS Cup – Sat., December 12 at 8:00 PM ET
USA: FOX, UniMás, TUDN
CAN: TSN, TVA Sports
MLS Cup 2020 Playoffs Qualification
The 8 teams from theWestern Conferencequalify directly for the Round 1 of theMLS Cup 2020 Playoffs Qualification. However, only the top 6 clubs fromtheEastern Conferencequalify directly for the Round 1.
The remaining three clubswillclash off in aplay-in game. The7th seed will playvs the 10th, while the 8th seedwillcome against the 9th.
MLS Cup 2020 Playoff Bracket
MLS Cup 2020 Playoff Bracket. (MLSSoccer.com)
The lowest seed play-in winnerwill thenplay against the No. 1 seedfrom theEastern Conference. Whilst, the highest seed play-in winnerwill then play theNo. 2 seedfromtheWestern Conference.
Once Round 1 is complete, the winners advance to the semi-finals. After that,each winning side in bothConferencefinals, will clash off in the2020 MLS Cup final.
