The thirtieth version of the MLS playoffs will initially function 18 groups hoping to win the MLS cup throughout a event lasting greater than a month.
Inter Miami and MLS golden boot winner Lionel Messi are essentially the most high-profile contributors, having completed third within the Japanese Convention.
“We’ve a few of the best gamers ever to have performed the sport right here,” Miami defender Ian Fray mentioned after the tip of the common season. “Whoever we play, we’re going to have the identical mindset.”
Listed below are all the small print you’ll want to know on the 2025 MLS playoffs, together with the schedule, bracket and the right way to watch.
29 objectives within the common season. 💪
Hat trick and an help to safe the dub.
Potential Golden Boot pres. by Audi award for Messi ready. pic.twitter.com/9sUbONDSXT
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2025
2025 playoffs: MLS schedule, dates, fixtures
The post-season competitors began on October 22 and can run till December 6 2025. The common season ended on October 18.
The highest 9 groups from the Japanese Convention and Western Convention contest the matches, beginning with one-off Wild Card matches in every division between the eighth and ninth-placed groups.
The winners of these video games will be a part of the remainder of the groups in best-of-three first spherical matches, adopted by one-off semi-finals and finals in every convention and the only MLS Cup match between the winners of every ultimate.
The groups ending larger play at dwelling or play the primary and, if required, third matches at dwelling within the best-of-three fixtures.
The best-ranked finalist within the total Supporters’ Defend desk will host the MLS Cup, which is able to happen on December 6 at a time to be confirmed.
Particulars of the dates and instances for video games between the Wild Card fixtures and MLS Cup can be confirmed when they’re made obtainable from the MLS.
The Wild Card matches happen at 20:30 ET / 17:30 PT / 01:30 GMT on October 22 (October 23 GMT).
Japanese Convention: Chicago Hearth 3-1 Orlando Metropolis
Western Convention: Portland Timbers 3-1 Actual Salt Lake
Denis ➡️ Son ➡️ Aim
Thrill of the Match | @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/yPySGXGzuX
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 19, 2025
2025 MLS playoffs bracket
Right here’s how the bracket takes care of these Wild Card matches. This can be up to date and you could find the official MLS bracket right here.
Western Convention spherical one
San Diego vs Portland
Recreation 1: October 26
Recreation 2: November 1
Minnesota United vs Seattle Sounders
Recreation 1: October 27
Recreation 2: November 3
Los Angeles FC vs Austin
Recreation 1: October 29
Recreation 2: November 2
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Dallas
Recreation 1: Vancouver 3-0 Dallas
Recreation 2: November 1
Western Convention semifinals
SF1: San Diego/Portland vs Minnesota United/Seattle Sounders
SF2: Los Angeles FC/Austin vs Vancouver Whitecaps/Dallas
Western Convention ultimate
Winner SF1 vs winner SF2
Japanese Convention spherical one
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Hearth
Recreation 1: Philadelphia 2-2 Chicago (4-2p)
Recreation 2: November 1
Charlotte vs New York Metropolis
Recreation 1: October 28
Recreation 2: November 1
Inter Miami vs Nashville
Recreation 1: Miami 3-1 Nashville
Recreation 2: November 1
Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew
Recreation 1: October 27
Recreation 2: November 2
Japanese Convention semifinals
SF1: Philadelphia Union/Chicago Hearth vs Charlotte/New York Metropolis
SF2: Inter Miami/Nashville vs Cincinnati/Columbus Crew
Japanese Convention ultimate
Winner SF1 vs winner SF2
MLS playoffs 2025 standings
Japanese Convention
- Philadelphia Union
- Cincinnati
- Inter Miami
- Charlotte
- New York Metropolis
- Nashville
- Columbus
- Chicago
- Orlando
Western Convention
- San Diego
- Vancouver
- Los Angeles
- Minnesota
- Seattle
- Austin
- Dallas
- Portland
- Actual Salt Lake
MLS Cup 2025: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami fixtures
Miami will host Nashville, who they accomplished a double over with a 5-2 away win on the ultimate day of the common season, within the first spherical.
They might then face one of many groups who completed above them, Philadelphia or Cincinnati, within the semifinals, whereas Charlotte are the highest-ranked workforce they may meet of their convention ultimate.
Their kindest run by rating might pit them towards Columbus within the semifinals and ninth-placed Orlando within the convention ultimate, though they misplaced by three objectives dwelling and away to Metropolis within the MLS earlier than beating them 3-1 at dwelling within the Leagues Cup semifinals.
Messi and his teammates will hope to keep away from a repeat of their shock exit of their first playoff tie final season, after they have been ranked first because the Supporters’ Defend winners however have been knocked out by ninth-ranked Atlanta United regardless of successful the opening match between the groups.
The best way to watch the 2025 MLS playoffs: Dwell stream, TV channel
Dwell protection of the MLS playoffs is obtainable by way of the MLS Season Cross on Apple TV+.
Within the US, a subscription prices $14.99 a month or $69 a season. Current Apple TV+ subscribers pay $12.99 per 30 days or $59 a season.
MLS Cup winners by yr
- 2024: LA Galaxy 2-1 New York Crimson Bulls
- 2023: Columbus 2-1 LAFC
- 2022: LAFC 3-3 Philadelphia Union (3-0 pen)
- 2021: Portland 1-1 New York Metropolis (4-2 pen)
- 2020: Columbus 3-0 Seattle
- 2019: Seattle 3-1 Toronto
- 2018: Atlanta 2-0 Portland
- 2017: Toronto 2-0 Seattle
- 2016: Seattle 0-0 Toronto (5-4 pen)
- 2015: Portland 2-1 Columbus
- 2014: LA Galaxy 2-1 New England Revolution (AET)
- 2013: Sporting Kansas Metropolis 1-1 Actual Salt Lake (7-6 pen)
- 2012: LA Galaxy 3-1 Houston Dynamo
- 2011: LA Galaxy 1-0 Houston
- 2010: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Dallas (AET)
- 2009: Actual Salt Lake 1-1 LA Galaxy (5-4 pen)
- 2008: Columbus 3-1 New York Crimson Bulls
- 2007: Houston 2-1 New England
- 2006: Houston 1-1 New England (4-3 pen)
- 2005: LA Galaxy 1-0 New England (AET)
- 2004: DC United 3-2 Kansas Metropolis Wizards
- 2003: San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 Chicago
- 2002: LA Galaxy 1-0 New England (AET)
- 2001: San Jose 2-1 LA Galaxy (AET)
- 2000: Kansas Metropolis Wizards 1-0 Chicago
- 1999: DC 2-0 LA Galaxy
- 1998: Chicago 2-0 DC
- 1997: DC 2-1 Colorado
- 1996: DC 3-2 LA Galaxy (AET)