2022 MLS Cup Playoffs key dates, bracket, format, more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The race for the 2022 MLS Cup is heating up.
Teams from each conference have officially punched their tickets for a spot in the postseason, with defending champions NYCFC looking to repeat.
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LAFC won the Supporters Shield, an award given to the team that finishes with the best regular-season record, along with earning the top seed in the West. Out East, the Philadelphia Union (67 points) edged CF Montréal (65 points) to claim the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
Here’s everything to know about the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs:
When do the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs start?
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The playoffs will start on Saturday, Oct. 15. The regular season ends on Sunday, Oct. 9.
When is the 2022 MLS Cup Final?
The final will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5. There will be three rounds – the first round, conference semifinals and conference finals – before the ultimate showdown.
How many teams make the MLS Cup Playoffs?
Seven teams from each conference qualify for the postseason, a total of 14, with the No. 1 seeds getting a first-round bye until the conference semifinals.
What is the full format of the MLS Cup Playoffs?
As aforementioned, the top-seeded teams receive a bye in the first round. The remaining six teams – No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5 – go at it.
In the conference semifinals, the No. 1 team will play the winner of the 4-5 matchup while the 2-7 winner will take on the 3-6 winner.
The winners from those matches form the field for the conference finals, and the victors of those games will meet in the 2022 MLS Cup Final.
Which teams are in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs?
Here’s a conference-by-conference look at which 14 teams qualified for the postseason:
Western Conference
No. 1 – LAFC (67 points)
No. 2 – Austin FC (56 points)
No. 3 – FC Dallas (53 points)
No. 4 – LA Galaxy (50 points)
No. 5 – Nashville FC (50 points)
No. 6 – Minnesota United (48 points)
No. 7 – Real Salt Lake (47 points)
Eastern Conference
No. 1 – Philadelphia Union (67 points)
No. 2 – CF Montréal (65 points)
No. 3 – NYCFC (55 points)
No. 4 – New York Red Bulls (53 points)
No. 5 – FC Cincinnati (49 points)
No. 6 – Inter Miami (48 points)
No. 7 – Orlando City (48 points)
What are the odds for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs?
LAFC is the favorite to win it all, followed closely by the Philadelphia Union, according to our partner, PointsBet.
- LAFC: +175
- Philadelphia Union: +300
- CF Montréal: +800
- NYCFC: +1000
- Austin FC: +1200
- New York Red Bulls: +1400
- LA Galaxy: +1600
- FC Dallas: +1600
- FC Cincinnati: +2500
- Nashville FC: +3300
- Inter Miami: +3300
- Orlando City: +4000
- Minnesota United: +5000
- Real Salt Lake: +10000
Editor's note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
