2023 MLS Cup playoffs matchups

With the regular season done and dusted, we already know some of the matchups that will take place in the early rounds of 2023 MLS Cup playoffs.

The new postseason format will feature a Wild Card series between the eighth and ninth place of each conference, with the winner facing the number one seed in the following round. Teams will then compete in a best two out of three format, before heading into the next, knockout stage.

Even without the legendary Lionel Messi in the playoffs, there are still several entertaining and intriguing contests on the cards...

2023 MLS Cup playoffs - Eastern Conference

Wild Card: October 25

• New York Red Bulls (#8) vs Charlotte FC (#9)

Best-of-three series: October 28 - November 12

• FC Cincinnati (#1) vs New York Red Bulls/Charlotte FC
• Orlando City (#2) vs Nashville SC (#7)
• Columbus Crew (#3) vs Atlanta United (#6)
• Philadelphia Union (#4) vs New England Revolution (#5)

Eastern Conference semifinals: November 25 - December 3

• Winner of FC Cincinnati (#1) vs New York Red Bulls (#8)/Charlotte FC (#9) vs Winner of Philadelphia Union (#4) vs New England Revolution (#5)
• Winner of Columbus Crew (#3) vs Atlanta United (#6) vs Winner of Orlando City (#2) vs Nashville SC (#7)

Eastern Conference finals: November 25 - December 3

• Highest advancing seed vs lowest advancing seed

2023 MLS Cup playoffs - Western Conference

Wild Card: October 25

• Sporting Kansas City (#8) vs San Jose Earthquakes (#9)

Best-of-three series: October 28 - November 12

• St. Louis CITY (#1) vs Sporting Kansas City/San Jose Earthquakes
• Seattle Sounders FC (#2) vs FC Dallas (#7)
• LAFC (#3) vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC (#6)
• Houston Dynamo FC (#4) vs Real Salt Lake (#5)

Western Conference semifinals: November 25 - December 3

• Winner of St. Louis CITY (#1) vs Sporting Kansas City/San Jose Earthquakes vs winner of

Houston Dynamo FC (#4) vs Real Salt Lake (#5)

• Winner of Seattle Sounders FC (#2) vs FC Dallas (#7) vs winner of LAFC (#3) vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC (#6)

Western Conference finals: November 25 - December 3

• Highest advancing seed vs lowest advancing seed

MLS Cup

Final: December 9

• Western Conference final winner vs Eastern Conference final winner

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