The 2024 edition of the Playoffs The MLS Cup already has all 18 teams qualified. After a historic season, Inter Miami CF, led by Lionel Messi, will secure home advantage during the knockout phase as the club achieved the record for most points in a single season.
Messi will seek to add another title to his career, adding the MLS Cup as its 47th trophy. Previously, Inter Miami had already won the Supporters’ Shield this month, thus achieving its 46th award.
Among the strongest competitors that could prevent Miami’s path towards the title is the Columbus Crew, current league champion, which aspires to be the first team to retain the MLS Cup since 2012.
Los Angeles FC, winners of the 2022 edition, also present a talented team hoping to make their third consecutive appearance in the final. The LA Galaxy, for their part, are looking to relive their glory days after a decade without lifting the trophy.
Playoff standings:
Eastern Conference:
- Inter Miami CF
- Columbus Crew
- FC Cincinnati
- Orlando City SC
- Charlotte FC
- New York City FC
- New York Red Bulls
- CF Montreal
- Atlanta United
Western Conference:
- Los Angeles FC
- LA Galaxy
- Real Salt Lake
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Houston Dynamo FC
- Minnesota United FC
- Colorado Rapids
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Portland Timbers
Playoff Matchups:
In the Eastern Conference, the wild card game will pit CF Montréal (8th) against Atlanta United (9th) on Tuesday. The winner will face Inter Miami CF in the first round, which will be the best of three games.
In the Western Conference, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8th) will face the Portland Timbers (9th) in the wild card game, which will be played at Providence Park in Portland due to a scheduling conflict at Vancouver Stadium. The winner will face Los Angeles FC in the first round.
Eastern Conference Matchups:
Inter Miami CF vs. Winner of the CF Montréal-Atlanta United match
Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls
FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC
Orlando City SC vs. Charlotte FC
Western Conference Matchups:
Los Angeles FC vs. Winner of the Vancouver Whitecaps-Portland Timbers match
LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC
The 2024 playoff schedule includes wild card games on October 3. The first round, best of three, will be played from October 25 to November 10. The conference semifinals will be on November 23 and 24, the conference finals on November 30 and December 1, and the grand final of the MLS Cup will be held on December 7.
Where to watch the MLS playoffs:
All MLS playoff games can be seen on Apple TV around the world, con el MLS Season Pass.
Keep reading:
–FIFA confirmed Inter Miami in the 2025 Club World Cup
–“On October 21, I’ll be back”: Neymar returns with Al Hilal after injury
–Messi scores hat trick as Inter Miami breaks MLS points record
