As the 2024 MLS playoffs progress, just four teams remain, featuring a mix of established giants and newcomers eager for their first MLS Cup victory.

In the Eastern Conference, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami had an unexpected early exit, alongside the defending champions Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati, who all faced shocking first-round defeats. On the other hand, the Western Conference experienced fewer surprises, although the top-ranked LAFC was eliminated in a home game after extra time against the Seattle Sounders.

This has led to some unexpected conference finals. In the East, the No. 4 seed Orlando City will take on the seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls, marking a rare appearance for both teams at this stage of the playoffs. Meanwhile, in the West, the LA Galaxy, known for their exciting gameplay this season, will face off against the Sounders in a match between two highly successful MLS franchises.

Here are the essential details regarding the MLS playoff bracket, schedule, and how to watch all the action leading up to the MLS Cup:

MLS Playoff Bracket Overview

The 2024 MLS playoffs featured nine teams from each conference, but we are now down to the final four teams. The playoff format, revised for this year, kicked off with a single-elimination wild card round on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Round One commenced with a best-of-three series on Friday, Oct. 25 and concluded on Saturday, Nov. 9. After a break for FIFA-required national team matches, the playoffs shifted to a more conventional format. Higher-seeded teams hosted single-elimination conference semifinals, and this format will continue into the conference finals, where the conference champion with the best regular-season record will host the MLS Cup.

MLS Playoffs – Conference Semifinals Results

• East No. 4 Orlando City vs. East No. 9 Atlanta United
• East No. 6 New York City FC vs. East No. 7 New York Red Bulls
• West No. 1 LAFC vs. West No. 4 Seattle Sounders
• West No. 2 LA Galaxy vs. West No. 6 Minnesota United

MLS Playoffs – Conference Finals Matchups

• East No. 4 Orlando City vs. East No. 7 New York Red Bulls
• West No. 2 LA Galaxy vs. West No. 4 Seattle Sounders

MLS Cup Details

• East Champion vs. West Champion

Note: Hosting rights for the MLS Cup will go to the team with the best record in the regular season.

MLS Playoff Schedule by Date

All times are in Eastern. Home teams listed first.

Tuesday, Oct. 22 – Wild Card Round

• CF Montréal 2-2 Atlanta United (Atlanta United advances 5-4 on penalty kicks)

Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Wild Card Round

• Portland Timbers 0-5 Vancouver Whitecaps

Friday, Oct. 25 – Round One, Game 1

• Inter Miami 2-1 Atlanta United

Saturday, Oct. 26 – Round One, Game 1

• LA Galaxy 5-0 Colorado Rapids

Sunday, Oct. 27 – Round One, Game 1

• Orlando City 2-0 Charlotte FC
• LAFC 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

Monday, Oct. 28 – Round One, Game 1

• FC Cincinnati 1-0 New York City FC
• Seattle Sounders 0-0 Houston Dynamo (Seattle wins 5-4 on penalty kicks)

Tuesday, Oct 29 – Round One, Game 1

• Columbus Crew 0-1 New York Red Bulls
• Real Salt Lake 0-0 Minnesota United (Minnesota United wins 5-4 on penalty kicks)

Nov. 1 – Round One, Game 2

• Charlotte FC 0-0 Orlando City (Charlotte FC wins 3-1 on penalty kicks)
• Colorado Rapids 1-4 LA Galaxy

Nov. 2 – Round One, Game 2

• New York City FC 3-1 FC Cincinnati
• Atlanta United 2-1 Inter Miami
• Minnesota United 1-1 Real Salt Lake (Minnesota United wins 3-1 on penalty kicks)

Nov. 3 – Round One, Game 2

• New York Red Bulls 2-2 Columbus Crew (New York Red Bulls win 5-4 on penalty kicks)
• Houston Dynamo 1-1 Seattle Sounders (Seattle Sounders win 7-6 on penalty kicks)
• Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 LAFC

Nov. 8 – Round One, Game 3

• LAFC 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps

Nov. 9 – Round One, Game 3

• FC Cincinnati 0-0 New York City FC (New York City FC wins 6-5 on penalty kicks)
• Orlando City 1-1 Charlotte FC (Orlando City wins 4-1 on penalty kicks)
• Inter Miami 2-3 Atlanta United

Nov. 23 – Conference Semifinals

• New York City FC 0-2 New York Red Bulls
• LAFC 1-2 Seattle Sounders

Nov. 24 – Conference Semifinals

• Orlando City defeated Atlanta United 1-0
• LA Galaxy beat Minnesota United 6-2

Nov. 30 – Conference Finals

• Eastern Conference Final: Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls at 7:30 p.m.
• Western Conference Final: LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders at 10 p.m.

Dec. 7 – MLS Cup

• Teams not yet determined, starting at 4 p.m.

Viewing the MLS Playoffs

You can stream every match of the 2024 MLS playoffs on Apple TV.

Some key games, including the MLS Cup, will also be available on Fox and FS1, as well as via Fubo streaming service.

Enjoy selected MLS playoff matches with a Fubo subscription!