The History of MLS Playoff Changes
updated 11/2/24
This past week saw the second year of the new format for the Major League Soccer playoff tournament. Two wildcard rounds followed by the start of the first-round three-game playoff series. For those of you new to MLS let us reassure you confusing structures and changing formats are what these playoffs are all about. Below is a list of all the different formats and changes over the years:
1996-1999 (8 Teams)
Playoffs included eight teams.
Best-of-three series to advance to the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals.
No ties were allowed; matches went to penalty kicks to determine the winner.
The MLS Cup Final was a one-match fixture.
2000-2002 (8 Teams)
Introduced a points system: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.
A team needed 5 points to advance to the next round. If tied after three games there was a ASDET (see below).
The best-of-three series was still used.
Added Sudden Death Extra Time (ASDET) and Sudden Death Extra Time (SDET) during the playoffs.
The MLS Cup Final remained a one-match fixture.
2003-2010 (8 Teams)
The Conference Semifinal became a two-legged home and away aggregate series.
The higher-seeded team played their home game in the second leg.
The Conference Finals and MLS Cup Final were single-match fixtures.
2011 (10 Teams)
Introduced a Play-In round match for the seventh to tenth seeds.
The Conference Semifinals, Finals, and MLS Cup format remained the same.
2012-2014 (10 Teams)
The Play-In (Wildcard) round was a one-off match between the fourth and fifth-place teams from each Conference.
Conference Semifinals and Conference Championship series were conducted in a home-and-away aggregate-goal format.
The MLS Cup Final remained a one-match fixture.
2015-2018 (12 Teams)
The first round was a one-off match between the third to sixth-place teams from each Conference.
The Semifinals, Finals, and MLS playoff format remained the same.
2019, 2021-2022 (14 Teams)
The top seven teams in each conference advanced to a single-elimination bracket.
The top team in each conference earned a first-round bye.
2020 (18 Teams)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, playoff qualification was determined by points per game.
Introduced a play-in round for the seventh to tenth-placed teams.
The higher seed team hosted matches for the first three rounds.
New Playoff Format for 2023 - ? (18 Teams):
Wild Card Matches
Two single-game elimination matches.
If tied at the end of regulation, teams go directly to penalty kicks.
Winners advance to the Round One Best-of-3 series to face the conference No. 1 seed.
Round One Best-of-3 Series
Matches are hosted in a home-away-home format.
No ties or aggregate scores; each game has a winner.
If tied at the end of regulation, teams go directly to penalty kicks.
The first team to win two matches advances.
Conference Semifinals
Single-game elimination matches.
If tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods are played.
Conference Final
Single-elimination match.
If tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods are played.
MLS Cup
A single match.
Hosted by the finalist with the most regular season points or other criteria if tied.
If tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods are played.
Phew, hope that makes sense. We are looking forward to next year when ties will be determined by jersey sales.
