When do the MLS Cup playoffs begin, and who’s qualified?

October 3, 2019 admin

The Major League Soccer regular season is nearing its conclusion and clubs have their sights set on qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs, which begin on Oct. 19.

Twelve teams have clinched one of the 14 postseason berths; zero spots remain to be clinched in the Eastern Conference, but two places in the Western Conference are open. Eight clubs have been eliminated.

So, who’s in? Who’s out? And who has it all to play for?

– MLS standings | Schedule | Statistics
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Eastern Conference: New York City FC, Atlanta United, Philadelphia Union, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, New England Revolution

Western Conference: LAFC, Minnesota United, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake

Portland Timbers (46 points, 33 games played)

FC Dallas (45 points, 33 games played)

San Jose Earthquakes (44 points, 33 games played)

Colorado Rapids (42 points, 33 games played)

Permutations courtesy of MLSsoccer.com

Colorado will clinch a playoff place with:
– Win vs. LAFC AND Dallas loss vs. Kansas City AND San Jose loss vs. Portland OR
– Win by three or more goals vs. LAFC AND Dallas loss vs. Kansas City AND San Jose tie vs. Portland
If Colorado wins by two goals, tiebreaker will be goals scored (COL: 57, SJ: 51).

Dallas will clinch a playoff place with:
– Win vs. Kansas City OR
– Tie vs. Kansas City AND San Jose loss or tie vs. Portland OR
– San Jose loss vs. Portland AND Colorado loss or tie vs. LAFC

Portland will clinch a playoff place with:
– Win or tie vs. San Jose OR
– Dallas loss or tie vs. Kansas City

San Jose will clinch a playoff place with:
– Win vs. Portland OR
– Tie vs. Portland AND Dallas loss vs. Kansas City AND Colorado loss or tie vs. LAFC OR
– Tie vs. Portland AND Dallas loss vs. Kansas City AND Colorado win by one goal vs. LAFC
If Colorado wins by two goals, tiebreaker will be goals scored (COL: 57, SJ: 51).

Eastern Conference: FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, Montreal Impact, Orlando City SC

Western Conference: Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo

In addition to the field expanding to 14 teams, the calendar has shifted ahead by two weeks to begin on Oct. 19 and been compressed by the elimination of two-legged ties, with a return to single-elimination knockout.

Here is playoff schedule, leading up to the MLS Cup on Nov. 10 (3 p.m. ET, ABC).

Saturday, Oct. 19 (time TBD)

Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)

Wednesday, Oct. 23 (time TBD)

Thursday, Oct. 24 (time TBD)

Tuesday, Oct. 29 (time TBD)

Wednesday, Oct. 30 (time TBD)

Sunday, Nov. 10 (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
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