This weekend holds significant implications for MLS playoff spots, alongside the confirmation of additional berths in the Concacaf Champions Cup this week.

Here are the teams aiming to secure their playoff positions on Saturday:

➤ Charlotte FC

• Clear Path: There isn’t an easy route; Charlotte FC must defeat the league-leading Inter Miami.
• Complex Path: Require a win with losses or draws from Atlanta United, CF Montréal, D.C. United, and Nashville SC.

➤ Houston Dynamo FC

• Clear Path: Just win.
• Complex Path: FC Dallas must lose or draw.

➤ Los Angeles FC

• Clear Path: A win or draw secures their spot.
• Complex Path: For FC Dallas to lose or draw.

➤ New York City FC

• Clear Path: Win, alongside scenarios involving losses or draws for Toronto FC, D.C. United, and Nashville SC.
• Complex Path: Win combined with various outcomes including Atlanta United, CF Montréal, D.C. United, and Nashville SC.

➤ New York Red Bulls

• Clear Path: Simply win.
• Complex Path: Nashville SC, Atlanta United, D.C. United must lose or draw, and CF Montréal must lose.

➤ Orlando City SC

• Clear Path: They need a win.
• Complex Path: Drawing while hoping for losses or draws from Nashville SC, Atlanta United, D.C. United, and CF Montréal.

➤ Portland Timbers

• Clear Path: Win while FC Dallas and Austin FC both lose or draw.
• Complex Path: Not applicable (only one route available).

➤ Seattle Sounders FC

• Clear Path: A win secures their position.
• Complex Path: If they lose, they will need FC Dallas to lose, and Austin FC to lose or draw.

➤ Vancouver Whitecaps FC

• Clear Path: Win combined with FC Dallas losing or drawing.
• Complex Path: Drawing while needing losses from FC Dallas and draws or losses from Austin FC.

Furthermore, the LA Galaxy have the chance to secure home-field advantage in the Western Conference playoffs this weekend.

MLS Matchday 35: What Matches Are Scheduled for Saturday?

(All matches will be streamed on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.)

• FC Cincinnati vs. Los Angeles FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Inter Miami CF vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• CF Montréal vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7:30 p.m. ET
• New England Revolution vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Philadelphia Union vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Austin FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Chicago Fire FC vs. Toronto FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• FC Dallas vs. Orlando City SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Minnesota United FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 p.m. ET
• St. Louis City SC vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Seattle Sounders FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m. ET

What is the Format for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs?

For the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, 18 teams will qualify—the top nine from each conference.

The teams placing eighth and ninth in each conference will face off in wild-card matches, while the top seven will enter the Round 1 best-of-three series.

When Do the MLS Playoffs Begin?

The playoff schedule is as follows:

• Oct. 3: Wild-card matches (single-elimination)
• Oct. 26-Nov. 10: Round 1 (best-of-three)
• Nov. 23-24: Conference semifinals (single-elimination)
• Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Conference finals (single-elimination)
• Dec. 7: MLS Cup (winner-takes-all match)

MLS Playoff Picture: Current Standings

As we approach MLS Matchday 35, here are the projected matchups for the first round of the playoffs:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

➤ Guaranteed Playoff Spots: Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF

Wild-card Match:

• Toronto FC (No. 8 seed) vs. Philadelphia Union (9)

Round 1 (Best of Three):

• Inter Miami CF (1) vs. Winner of Toronto FC-Philadelphia Union
• FC Cincinnati (2) vs. New York City FC (7)
• Columbus Crew (3) vs. Charlotte FC (6)
• New York Red Bulls (4) vs. Orlando City SC (5)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

➤ Guaranteed Playoff Spots: Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake

Wild-card Match:

• Portland Timbers (No. 8 seed) vs. Minnesota United

• FC (9)

Round 1 (best-of-three series):

• LA Galaxy (1) vs. Winner of Portland Timbers-Minnesota United FC
• Real Salt Lake (2) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7)
• Colorado Rapids (3) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (6)
• Los Angeles FC (4) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (5)

Odds for MLS Championship: Who’s the top contender?

As per BetMGM, Inter Miami CF (+150) leads as the frontrunner to clinch the 2024 league title. Following them are LA Galaxy (+600), Columbus Crew (+700), Los Angeles FC (+900), and FC Cincinnati (+1200).

Concacaf Champions Cup 2025: Qualified MLS Teams

Currently, six clubs from MLS have secured their spots in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup:

➤ Colorado Rapids: Qualified by winning the third-place match in the Leagues Cup

➤ Columbus Crew: Secured a spot by winning the Leagues Cup

➤ Inter Miami CF: Qualified as one of the top two teams in MLS Supporters’ Shield standings

➤ Los Angeles FC: Entered as Leagues Cup runners-up (also won the U.S. Open Cup)

➤ Sporting Kansas City: Qualified by being a U.S. Open Cup finalist (if the cup winner also has a Concacaf Champs spot, the runner-up qualifies)

➤ Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Qualified via victory in the Canadian Championship