The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs ignite on Wednesday, October 22, promising a thrilling, unpredictable tournament as 18 teams battle for soccer supremacy. All eyes are on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami as they chase their first MLS Cup, alongside Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union and Western Conference top seed expansion side San Diego FC in a postseason designed for drama.
The postseason frenzy has arrived! The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs officially commence on Wednesday, October 22, heralding the start of a six-week journey culminating in the league’s grand finale. With 18 teams from across the Eastern and Western Conferences vying for the coveted Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, fans are bracing for a tournament packed with high stakes, unexpected turns, and captivating storylines.
This 30th edition of the MLS playoffs features a format that has both excited and challenged teams, including wild card matchups, best-of-three series, and a crucial pause for international play. From the tactical masterminds on the sidelines to the global superstars on the pitch, every element is set for an unforgettable championship chase. The regular season concluded on October 18, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic conclusion to the MLS year, stretching 288 days in total.
Decoding the Drama: How the 2025 MLS Playoffs Format Works
The path to the MLS Cup is unique and requires adaptability from every squad. Here’s a breakdown of the complex, yet compelling, tournament structure:
- Wild Card Matches: The postseason kicks off with single-elimination Wild Card games on Wednesday, October 22. The 8th and 9th placed teams in each conference face off. If tied after 90 minutes, games proceed directly to penalty kicks to determine a winner.
- First Round – Best-of-Three: Winners of the Wild Card matches advance to join the top seven seeds in each conference for the First Round. These are best-of-three series, where the higher seed hosts the first and, if necessary, the third match. Unlike regular season play, there are no draws; if a game is tied after 90 minutes, penalty kicks decide the winner. Two wins secure advancement.
- Mid-Playoff Interruption: Following the First Round, the playoffs observe a nearly two-week pause. This break accommodates the FIFA international window, allowing national team players to participate in World Cup qualifiers, friendlies, and other competitions without conflicting with MLS action.
- Conference Semifinals & Finals: After the break, the intensity ramps up with single-match eliminations. Both the Conference Semifinals (November 22-23) and Conference Finals (November 29-30) are one-off affairs, with the higher-seeded team hosting each game.
- MLS Cup Final: The ultimate showdown, the MLS Cup, is a single match scheduled for Saturday, December 6. The finalist with the most regular-season points (determined by the Supporters’ Shield standings) will earn the right to host the championship game.
Key Dates: Your 2025 MLS Playoff Schedule Glance
Mark your calendars for these crucial dates as the 2025 MLS Playoffs unfold:
- Wild Card Matches: Wednesday, October 22
- First Round (Best-of-Three): Friday, October 24 – Sunday, November 9
- Conference Semifinals: Saturday, November 22 – Sunday, November 23
- Conference Finals: Saturday, November 29 – Sunday, November 30
- MLS Cup Final: Saturday, December 6, 2:30 p.m. ET
Specific matchups for the Wild Card games include:
- Eastern Conference: Orlando City at Chicago Fire (8:30 p.m. EDT)
- Western Conference: Real Salt Lake at Portland Timbers (10:30 p.m. EDT)
The winners of these matches will advance to face the top seeds in their respective conferences.
The Contenders: Who Could Claim the Crown?
The field is packed with talent, but a few teams stand out as prime candidates to reach the MLS Cup final, alongside some intriguing dark horses.
Eastern Conference Powerhouses
- Philadelphia Union: As the Supporters’ Shield winners and top seed in the Eastern Conference (20-8-6), the Union are a formidable force. Coach Bradley Carnell has built a defensive juggernaut, conceding a league-low 35 goals in 34 matches and recording 14 shutouts. Their home record at Subaru Park (12-1-4) is equally impressive. However, the “Supporters’ Shield Curse” looms, as only two of the previous 13 Shield winners have gone on to win the MLS Cup since 2011, according to MLSsoccer.com.
- Inter Miami: All eyes are on Lionel Messi, who leads Inter Miami into the playoffs as the third seed in the East. Messi capped a sensational regular season by winning the Golden Boot with 29 goals and also tying for the league lead in assists with 19. Alongside Barcelona legends Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Miami’s attack is prolific, leading the league with 81 goals. However, their defensive fragility, having conceded 55 goals, remains a concern. They face a challenging first-round opponent in U.S. Open Cup champion Nashville SC, featuring prolific scorers Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar. Messi’s quest for his first MLS Cup adds immense pressure, especially after their surprise playoff exit last season despite winning the Supporters’ Shield.
- Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew: The First Round also features a highly anticipated “Ohio I-71 derby” between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew, promising intense regional rivalry action.
Western Conference Forces
- San Diego FC: The expansion side has defied expectations, clinching the top spot in the Western Conference with an expansion-record 19 victories and 63 points. Led by coach Mikey Varas and stars like Anders Dreyer (19 goals, 19 assists) and veteran Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, San Diego’s success has been fueled by an impressive 12-4-1 road record. Curiously, their home record at Snapdragon Stadium (7-5-5) might prove to be a slight disadvantage in the playoffs.
- Los Angeles FC (LAFC): The smart pick from the West, LAFC boasts a devastating attacking duo in Denis Bouanga (24 goals, 9 assists) and recent summer arrival Son Heung-Min (9 goals, 3 assists in 10 appearances). Supported by experienced French World Cup winner Hugo Lloris in goal, LAFC has the firepower and pedigree for a deep playoff run.
- Vancouver Whitecaps (Dark Horse): The Whitecaps are a team to watch. Their upward trajectory has been boosted by the mid-season arrival of superstar Thomas Müller, who has quickly made an impact with seven goals and three assists in seven appearances. Müller’s big-game experience from Bayern Munich and the German national team could be crucial, especially as they contend with an injury to team-leading scorer Brian White.
The Unpredictability of MLS: No Repeat Champions
One of the enduring narratives of MLS is its consistent unpredictability. The league has not seen a back-to-back champion since the LA Galaxy achieved the feat in 2011-12. This trend continues in 2025, as the defending champions, the LA Galaxy, failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing second to last in the Western Conference. Similarly, the 2024 MLS Cup finalists, the New York Red Bulls, also missed out, finishing 10th in the East. This speaks volumes about the parity and fierce competition that defines Major League Soccer.
Catch All the Action: How to Watch the 2025 MLS Playoffs
Fans have multiple avenues to follow every thrilling moment of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs:
- MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+: As with the regular season, Apple TV+ serves as the primary streaming platform for the entire postseason. Subscribers to MLS Season Pass will have access to all playoff matches at no additional charge. More details can be found on the official MLS Season Pass page.
- Fox Sports: For viewers in the U.S., Fox Sports will broadcast a selection of key matches. This includes seven Conference Quarterfinal games, such as Inter Miami’s opener against Nashville SC on FS1 and Fox Deportes. Fox’s national broadcast network will also carry the MLS Cup Final.
MLS Cup Winners by Year (2000-2024)
For a look back at who has lifted the trophy in recent history, here are the MLS Cup champions since the turn of the millennium:
- 2024: LA Galaxy 2-1 New York Red Bulls
- 2023: Columbus 2-1 LAFC
- 2022: LAFC 3-3 Philadelphia Union (3-0 pen)
- 2021: Portland 1-1 New York City (4-2 pen)
- 2020: Columbus 3-0 Seattle
- 2019: Seattle 3-1 Toronto
- 2018: Atlanta 2-0 Portland
- 2017: Toronto 2-0 Seattle
- 2016: Seattle 0-0 Toronto (5-4 pen)
- 2015: Portland 2-1 Columbus
- 2014: LA Galaxy 2-1 New England Revolution (a et)
- 2013: Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Real Salt Lake (7-6 pen)
- 2012: LA Galaxy 3-1 Houston Dynamo
- 2011: LA Galaxy 1-0 Houston
- 2010: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Dallas (a et)
- 2009: Real Salt Lake 1-1 LA Galaxy (5-4 pen)
- 2008: Columbus 3-1 New York Red Bulls
- 2007: Houston 2-1 New England
- 2006: Houston 1-1 New England (4-3 pen)
- 2005: LA Galaxy 1-0 New England (a et)
- 2004: DC United 3-2 Kansas City Wizards
- 2003: San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 Chicago
- 2002: LA Galaxy 1-0 New England (a et)
- 2001: San Jose 2-1 LA Galaxy (a et)
- 2000: Kansas City Wizards 1-0 Chicago
