Must-win playoff matches kickoff Wednesday with Wild Card games at 7:30Â p.m. ET and 9:30Â p.m. ET Following Decision Day, matchups are locked for the new Round One Best-of-3 series Â
NEW YORK (Sunday, October 22, 2023) – The field is set for the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Following a historic regular season and dramatic finishes on Decision Day 2023, the final seeding is locked in and playoff matchups are confirmed for the Wild Card matches and Round One Best-of-3 series action.
The new playoff format that features more must-win matches kicks off this Wednesday, Oct. 25 with a pair of single-elimination Wild Card matches. Wild Card matches will see the No. 8 seed host the No. 9 seed in each conference as they battle for a spot in the new Round One Best-of-3 series.
Both Wild Card matches will air exclusively on MLS Season Pass.
Wild Card Matchups:
In the East, the New York Red Bulls clinched a berth in the postseason for an MLS-record 14th consecutive year, courtesy of a penalty-kick goal in the 94th minute by 2023 MLS All-Star and U.S. Men’s National Team defender John Tolkin. The Red Bulls’ current postseason appearance streak is the longest active mark among top men’s professional sports teams in the United States and Canada (MLS, MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL).
The Red Bulls will host Charlotte FC (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) who climbed into the No. 9 spot and clinched their first-ever Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth after taking points in back-to-back games against Inter Miami CF during the final week of the season.
In the West, Sporting Kansas City bested Minnesota United FC 3-1 to clinch the No. 8 spot. Kansas City will host the No. 9 seed San Jose Earthquakes for a chance to appear in Round One (9:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
Round One Best-of-3 Series Matchups:
Following an electric day of games, the matchups are set for the new Round One which will see teams compete in a Best-of-3 series. The complete Round One match schedule and broadcast details will be announced once finalized.
Eastern Conference Round One Best-of-3 Series Matchups
No. 1 FC Cincinnati vs. Winner of the Eastern Conference Wild Card match
No. 2 Orlando City SC vs. No. 7 Nashville SC
No. 3 Columbus Crew vs. No. 6 Atlanta United
No. 4 Philadelphia Union vs. No. 5 New England Revolution
Western Conference Round One Best-of-3 Series Matchups
No. 1 St. Louis CITY SC vs. Winner of the Western Conference Wild Card match
No. 2 Seattle Sounders FC vs. No. 7 FC Dallas
No. 3 LAFC vs. No. 6 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
No. 4 Houston Dynamo FC vs. No. 5 Real Salt Lake
For more information about the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule
Wild Card Matches (Two Games)
Wednesday, Oct. 25
7:30Â p.m. ETÂ Â Â Â Eastern Conference Wild Card Match
The winner will advance to Round One and face Eastern Conference No. 1 seed FC Cincinnati in the Best-of-3 series. Â
- No. 8 New York Red Bulls vs. No. 9 Charlotte FC (MLS Season Pass)Â Â
9:30 p.m. ETÂ Â Â Â Â Western Conference Wild Card Match
The winner will advance to Round One and face Western Conference No. 1 seed St. Louis CITY SC in the Best-of-3 series.  Â
- No. 8 Sporting Kansas City vs. No. 9 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS Season Pass)Â Â
Round One Best-of-3 Series (16-24 Games)
Oct. 28-Nov. 12
Conference Semifinals (Four Games)
Nov. 25-26
Conference Finals (Two Games)
Dec. 2-3
MLS Cup presented by Audi
Saturday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m. ET
