The 2023 MLS Cup playoffs will showcase the league's latest postseason structure meant to increase excitement, intrigue, and drama.
This year will be highlighted by the brand new Round One format, which will see the top eight teams in each conference clash in a best-of-three series. This new format is meant to scrap the less exciting aggregate-score method, leading to extra excitement as a winner is required from each game.
With the playoff picture complete and 18 teams remaining in contention, the postseason can now begin in earnest, and it starts just days from the conclusion of the regular season.
The Sporting News has the rundown on how the playoffs will be constructed, when they will begin, and who will take part, as the final matchday of the regular season draws ever closer and clubs ready for a final test of fate.
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When do the MLS playoffs start? Wild card round kicks off 2023 postseason
With Decision Day scheduled for Saturday, October 21, the postseason participants and seeding have now been determined and matchups set.
The 2023 playoffs will start with the Wild Card round, where the eighth and ninth seeds from each conference will meet for a one-off matchup. Those games will take place October 25 and 26.
Then, the rest of the postseason will begin with Round One, which will be a best-of-three series with a winner required in each matchup. The dates for those games are not yet known, but they will likely be contested across the first three weeks of November.
Then, once the Round One victors are set, the four teams still alive will advance to the Conference Semifinals, which will take place in late November. The Conference Finals are in early December, and the MLS Cup final is on December 9.
Full 2023 MLS playoff schedule
| Round | Date | ||
| Wild Card | October 25-26 | ||
| Round One | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Conference Semifinals | Nov. 25-26 | ||
| Conference Finals | Dec. 2-3 | ||
| MLS Cup Final | Dec. 9 | ||
Which teams have qualified for 2023 MLS playoffs?
The top nine teams in each conference qualify for the postseason, with the top seven earning a bye to Round One, while the eighth- and ninth-placed teams must contest a Wild Card match.
Round One will be a best-of-three series, with a winner required in each match. Aggregate scoreline will be scrapped, and all that matters is who reaches two wins first.
Eastern Conference
Wild Card Round
| No. | Date | Time (ET) | Fixture |
| 1. | Wed, Oct. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | #8 NY Red Bulls vs. #9 Charlotte FC |
Round One
*Game 3 is only if necessary should the teams split games one and two.
| No. | Matchup | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3* |
| 1. | #1 FC Cincinnati vs. East Wild Card winner | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2. | #2 Orlando City vs. #7 Nashville SC | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 3. | #3 Columbus Crew vs. #6 Atlanta United | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 4. | #4 Philadelphia vs. #5 New England | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Western Conference
Wild Card Round
| No. | Date | Time (ET) | Fixture |
| 2. | Wed, Oct. 25 | 9.30 p.m. | #8 Sporting KC vs. #9 San Jose |
Round One
*Game 3 is only if necessary should the teams split games one and two.
| No. | Matchup | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3* |
| 5. | #1 St. Louis City vs. West Wild Card winner | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 6. | #2 Seattle Sounders vs. #7 FC Dallas | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 7. | #3 LAFC vs. #6 Vancouver Whitecaps | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 8. | #4 Houston Dynamo vs. #5 Real Salt Lake | TBD | TBD | TBD |
