2023 MLS Cup Playoffs
The 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (branded as the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for sponsorship reasons) is the ongoing post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is the 28th edition of the MLS Cup Playoffs, the tournament culminating at the end of the 2023 regular season. The playoffs began on October 25 and are scheduled to conclude with MLS Cup 2023 on December 9.[1]
Country | United States Canada |
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Dates | October 25 – December 9 |
Teams | 18 |
Defending champions | Los Angeles FC |
Matches played | 2 |
Goals scored | 7 (3.5 per match) |
Top goal scorer(s) | ![]() (3 goals) |
← 2022 2024 →
All statistics correct as of October 25, 2023. |
The playoffs feature a new format from previous years with an expanded field of 18 teams—the top nine teams from each conference. The eighth and ninth placed teams in each conference contested a single wild card match with no extra time before a penalty shoot-out. Round One will comprise a best-of-three format with higher seeds playing against lower seeds. The round will have no aggregate score and tied matches will proceed directly to a penalty shootout to determine the winner. The remaining three rounds — the Conference Semifinals, Conference Final, and MLS Cup — will be single-elimination matches played with extra time and a penalty shootout if still tied.[1][2] The higher seed hosts the match in all rounds except for the best-of-three series in Round One, where the lower seed hosts the second of three possible matches. All matches will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass, a streaming service operated by Apple.[1]
The introduction of a best-of-three round and the expanded field, which allows 62 percent of the league's 29 teams to qualify for the playoffs, were criticized for being more confusing and diluting the competition.[3] It was the first major revamp of the playoff format since 2019, when all rounds were switched to single-elimination matches.[4] The format adds more matches, including home games for lower seeds, and was developed with fan input according to MLS officials; other outlets noted that new broadcaster Apple TV would benefit from the additional matches.[5][6] The new playoff format was announced on February 21, 2023, shortly before the start of the regular season;[7] earlier media reports indicated that another format with a round-robin group stage was also considered.[8]
Qualified teams
The playoffs will be contested by 18 teams. The date listed indicates when each team qualified for the playoffs.
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Conference standings
Eastern Conference
Source: MLS |
Western Conference
Source: MLS
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Bracket
The higher seeded teams host single-elimination matches, with the MLS Cup host determined by overall points in the Supporters' Shield table. During best-of-three rounds, the team with higher seed will host the first match and third match if necessary.
Wild Card single match | Round One best-of-three series | Conference Semifinals single match | Conference Finals single match | MLS Cup single match | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E1 | FC Cincinnati | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
E8 | New York Red Bulls | 5 | E8 | New York Red Bulls | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E9 | Charlotte FC | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E4 | Philadelphia Union | Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E5 | New England Revolution | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
E3 | Columbus Crew | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
E6 | Atlanta United FC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
E2 | Orlando City SC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
E7 | Nashville SC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
W1 | St. Louis City SC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
W8 | Sporting Kansas City (p) | 0 (4) | W8 | Sporting Kansas City | ||||||||||||||||||||||
W9 | San Jose Earthquakes | 0 (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W4 | Houston Dynamo FC | Western Conference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W5 | Real Salt Lake | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
W3 | Los Angeles FC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
W6 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
W2 | Seattle Sounders FC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
W7 | FC Dallas |
Wild Card round
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Round One
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Match 1 | Match 2 | Match 3 |
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Eastern Conference | |||||
FC Cincinnati | – | New York Red Bulls | Oct 29 | Nov 4 | Nov 11 |
Orlando City SC | – | Nashville SC | Oct 30 | Nov 7 | Nov 12 |
Columbus Crew | – | Atlanta United FC | Nov 1 | Nov 7 | Nov 12 |
Philadelphia Union | – | New England Revolution | Oct 28 | Nov 8 | Nov 12 |
Western Conference | |||||
St. Louis City SC | – | Sporting Kansas City | Oct 29 | Nov 5 | Nov 11 |
Seattle Sounders FC | – | FC Dallas | Oct 30 | Nov 4 | Nov 10 |
Los Angeles FC | – | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Oct 28 | Nov 5 | Nov 9 |
Houston Dynamo FC | – | Real Salt Lake | Oct 29 | Nov 6 | Nov 11 |
Eastern Conference
New York Red Bulls | v | FC Cincinnati |
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Report |
FC Cincinnati | v | New York Red Bulls |
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Report |
Nashville SC | v | Orlando City SC |
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Report |
Orlando City SC | v | Nashville SC |
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Report |
Atlanta United FC | v | Columbus Crew |
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Report |
Columbus Crew | v | Atlanta United FC |
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New England Revolution | v | Philadelphia Union |
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Report |
Philadelphia Union | v | New England Revolution |
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Report |
Western Conference
Sporting Kansas City | v | St. Louis City SC |
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Report |
St. Louis City SC | v | Sporting Kansas City |
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Report |
FC Dallas | v | Seattle Sounders FC |
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Report |
Seattle Sounders FC | v | FC Dallas |
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Report |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | v | Los Angeles FC |
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Report |
Los Angeles FC | v | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
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Report |
Real Salt Lake | v | Houston Dynamo FC |
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Report |
Houston Dynamo FC | v | Real Salt Lake |
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Report |
Conference Semifinals
The higher-seeded team as determined by regular season ranking will host the match.[1]
Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
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Eastern Conference | ||
Winner of 1st–8th/9th series | Nov 25–26 | Winner of 4th–5th series |
Winner of 3rd–6th series | Nov 25–26 | Winner of 2nd–7th series |
Western Conference | ||
Winner of 1st–8th/9th series | Nov 25–26 | Winner of 4th–5th series |
Winner of 3rd–6th series | Nov 25–26 | Winner of 2nd–7th series |
Eastern Conference
Winner of 1st–8th/9th series | v | Winner of 4th–5th series |
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Winner of 3rd–6th series | v | Winner of 2nd–7th series |
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Western Conference
Winner of 1st–8th/9th series | v | Winner of 4th–5th series |
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Winner of 3rd–6th series | v | Winner of 2nd–7th series |
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Conference Finals
The higher-seeded team as determined by regular season ranking will host the match.[1]
Eastern Conference
TBD | v | TBD |
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Western Conference
TBD | v | TBD |
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MLS Cup 2023
The highest-ranked finalist in the overall Supporters' Shield table will host the match.[1]
TBD | v | TBD |
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Top goalscorers
- As of October 25, 2023
Players and clubs in bold are still active in the playoffs.
Rank | Player | Club | Goals[21] |
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1 | ![]() |
New York Red Bulls | 3 |
2 | ![]() |
Charlotte FC | 1 |
![]() |
New York Red Bulls | ||
![]() |
New York Red Bulls | ||
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Charlotte FC |
References
- "MLS announces new playoff format for 2023 season". Major League Soccer. February 21, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- "MLS adds best-of-3 series to expanded playoffs for 2023 season". ESPN. February 21, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- Anderson, Jason (February 21, 2023). "MLS has a new playoff format, and it's complicated". Pro Soccer Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- Maurer, Pablo; Rueter, Jeff (February 21, 2023). "MLS expanding playoffs to 9 teams per conference, first round will be best-of-3 series: Sources". The Athletic. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- Tannenwald, Jonathan (February 21, 2023). "MLS changes its playoff format again, now guaranteeing home games for more teams". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- Peterson, Anne M. (February 21, 2023). "MLS expands playoffs to 9 teams from each conference". Associated Press. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- Davidson, Neil (February 21, 2023). "MLS revamps and expands post-season format for upcoming 2023 season". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- "What's driving MLS' reported playoff revamp? Is a World Cup-style postseason the right move?". ESPN. October 27, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- Roberson, Doug (September 23, 2023). "Atlanta United clinches MLS playoff berth with win over Montreal". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- "Charlotte FC clinch Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". MLSsoccer.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- "How things stand: Major League Soccer". Soccer America. September 21, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- Brennan, Pat (August 31, 2023). "FC Cincinnati has its playoff berth. Now, it's closing in on MLS history". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- "Nashville SC clinch Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". MLSsoccer.com. September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- "New England Revolution clinch Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". MLSsoccer.com. September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- "New York Red Bulls clinch Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". MLSsoccer.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- "FC Dallas clinch Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". MLSsoccer.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- Sigal, Jonathan (October 5, 2023). "Team of the Matchday: Five Western Conference teams clinch playoffs in Matchday 36". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- Timmermann, Tom (September 21, 2023). "St. Louis City SC clinches playoff spot after tie with LAFC and results elsewhere". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- "San Jose Earthquakes clinch Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". MLSsoccer.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- "Sporting Kansas City clinch Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". MLSsoccer.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- "MLS Player Stats". MLSsoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 25, 2023.