The big football tournament has announced a new, expanded knockout format that will see nine teams from each game qualify for the post-season, with the addition of a “wild card” round and three-man series best in round 1.
The new format will go into effect for the 2023 season, which begins on Saturday.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
With the league expanded to 29 teams this season following the entry of City of St. Louis SCwhich means 62% of clubs will qualify for the knockout round.
The nine clubs that made it to the knockout stages from each congress would be the highest number ever in the MLS, except when 10 clubs are in the knockout stages from both tournaments. East and West in the 2020 season affected by the pandemic.
Last year, seven teams from each Games made it to the knockout stages with the No. 1 seeds saying goodbye to the Games semi-finals.
As part of the new format, the eighth and ninth-placed teams in each tournament will face off in a one-round wild card match to advance to the first round and play against the 1st seed.
The other first round matches will see 2nd seed vs 7, 3rd seed vs 6, and 4 seed vs 5.
For the first time, the first round will be played in three matches, the higher seed will host the first and if necessary, the third. Matches cannot end in a draw, matches will go straight to penalty kicks if tied after 90 minutes and the first team to win two games will advance.
As has been the case since 2019, the semifinals, congress final and MLS Cup will continue to be played in a win-win-win format with the higher-seeded host.
MLS has also confirmed the dates for each of the knockouts. Following the climax of the regular season on October 21, the knockout round will begin with two wild card matches on October 25-26 and series one matches from October 28 to October 1. November 26, 12.
The conference semi-finals and conference finals will take place from November 25 to December 25. 3, with the MLS Cup taking place on December 9.
