The 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs have officially confirmed the 18 participating teams.

Inter Miami CF has achieved a league-best record for points in a single season, granting them home advantage throughout the playoffs.

Lionel Messi is looking to secure yet another trophy, which would mark his 47th title overall if Inter Miami captures the MLS Cup, following their recent win of the Supporters’ Shield that brought Messi’s total to 46 trophies.

However, there are formidable competitors aiming to challenge Messi and Miami’s aspirations for the championship. The Columbus Crew, the current league champions, aim to be the first team to win back-to-back MLS Cups since 2012, under the guidance of coach Wilfried Nancy.

Meanwhile, the 2022 MLS Cup winners, Los Angeles FC, are eager to make a strong push this postseason, hoping for a third consecutive trip to the MLS Cup final.

It’s been a decade since the LA Galaxy last lifted the MLS Cup, but the revitalized team seems determined to reclaim their former success.

Below are the playoff teams, their seeds, and matchups:

Eastern Conference playoff seeds

1. Inter Miami CF
2. Columbus Crew
3. FC Cincinnati
4. Orlando City SC
5. Charlotte FC
6. New York City FC
7. New York Red Bulls
8. CF Montréal
9. Atlanta United

Western Conference playoff seeds

1. Los Angeles FC
2. LA Galaxy
3. Real Salt Lake
4. Seattle Sounders FC
5. Houston Dynamo FC
6. Minnesota United FC
7. Colorado Rapids
8. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
9. Portland Timbers

MLS Cup Playoffs 2024: Wild Card and Round 1 Matchups

Here are the matchups for the MLS playoffs as they head into the first round (available for viewing on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV)…

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Wild Card Match:

• CF Montréal (No. 8 seed) vs. Atlanta United (9), Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET

Round 1 (best-of-three series):

• Inter Miami CF (1) vs. Winner of CF Montréal vs. Atlanta United, Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET (Game 1)
• Columbus Crew (2) vs. New York Red Bulls (7)
• FC Cincinnati (3) vs. New York City FC (6)
• Orlando City SC (4) vs. Charlotte FC (5)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Wild Card Match:

• Vancouver Whitecaps FC (No. 8 seed) vs. Portland Timbers (9), Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET (this match will be played at Portland’s Providence Park due to a scheduling conflict at Vancouver’s BC Place)

Round 1 (best-of-three series):

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

2024 MLS Playoff Schedule

• Oct. 3: Wild Card Matches (single-elimination)
• Oct. 25-Nov. 10: Round 1 (best-of-three series)
• Nov. 23-24: Conference Semifinals (single-elimination)
• Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Conference Finals (single-elimination)
• Dec. 7: MLS Cup (winner-takes-all match)

MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket

Here is the complete playoff bracket and schedule from MLSsoccer.com.