MLS playoffs: Bracket, schedule and what you need to know

The 2024 MLS playoffs are down to four teams, with traditional powers to one side and upstarts hoping for a first-ever MLS Cup win on the other.

In the Eastern Conference, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami crashed out early, joining defending champion Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati in suffering shock Round One eliminations. The Western Conference saw fewer upsets, though top-seeded LAFC saw its season end in an extra-time home loss to the Seattle Sounders.

Those results have set up conference finals few saw coming. In the East, No. 4 seed Orlando City faces the seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls in a conference final between two teams that rarely go this far into the postseason. In the West, the LA Galaxy — arguably the most entertaining team in MLS this season — will host the Sounders in a 2 vs. 4 matchup between two of MLS’ most successful clubs.

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 qualified for the 2024 MLS playoffs, but the postseason is down to its final four teams. The structure, which was changed for 2024, started with a single-elimination wild card round that started on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Round One, which saw teams play best-of-three series, kicked off on Friday, Oct. 25 and ran through Saturday, Nov. 9. Following a break to allow for FIFA-mandated national team play, the format returned to a more traditional approach. The higher seed hosted single-game conference semifinals, and the same structure is in place for the conference finals, with the conference champion holding the better regular-season record hosting MLS Cup.

MLS playoffs – Conference Semifinals

• East No. 4 Orlando City vs. East No. 9 Atlanta United
• East No. 6 New York City FC vs. East No. 7 New York Red Bulls
• West No. 1 LAFC vs. West No. 4 Seattle Sounders
• West No. 2 LA Galaxy vs. West No. 6 Minnesota United

MLS playoffs – Conference finals

• East No. 4 Orlando City vs. East No. 7 New York Red Bulls
• West No. 2 LA Galaxy vs. West No. 4 Seattle Sounders

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 0-2 New York Red Bulls
• LAFC 1-2 Seattle Sounders

Nov. 24 – Conference semifinals

• Orlando City 1-0 Atlanta United
• LA Galaxy 6-2 Minnesota United

Nov. 30 – Conference finals

• Eastern Conference final: Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls — 7:30 p.m.
• Western Conference final: LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders — 10 p.m.

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.

Watch select MLS playoff games with a Fubo subscription

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