MLS Cup - Format

Format

Over the history of the MLS Cup Playoffs, numerous formats have been used.

At the 2008 season's end, the top three teams of each conference made the playoffs; in addition the clubs with the next two highest point totals, regardless of conference, were added to the playoffs. In the first round of this knockout tournament, aggregate goals over two matches determined the winners; the Conference Championships were one match each, with the winner of each conference advancing to MLS Cup. In all rounds, the tie-breaking method was two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalty kicks if necessary. The away goals rule was not used.

At the 2009 and 2010 season's end, the top two teams of each conference made the playoffs; in addition the clubs with the next 4 highest point totals, regardless of conference, were added to the playoffs. In the first round of this knockout tournament, aggregate (total) goals over two matches determined the winners; the Conference Championships were one match each, with the winner of each conference advancing to MLS Cup. In all rounds, the tie-breaking method was two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalty kicks if necessary. The away goals rule was not used.

The format for the 2011 playoffs was announced on February 23, 2011. The top three clubs in each of the league's two conferences earned the six automatic spots in the quarterfinals. The wild-card entrants, seeded seventh through tenth, entered based upon their overall position in a single table of the league standings. The new format was assembled so that the weakest seed to qualify out of the wild-card rounds had to play the Supporters' Shield winner. The other entrant played the conference champion that did not win the Shield.

The play-ins proper were single matches, with the higher seeded club playing at their home field. The quarterfinals, or the "conference semifinals," were two-leg aggregate series.

The semifinal fixtures, or the "conference championships," were single matches at the field of the higher seed; the cup final was at a predetermined venue.

Starting with the 2012 season, the playoff structure will be further tweaked. While the number of playoff teams will remain at 10, the "wild cards" will disappear. Instead, the top five teams in each conference will qualify. The #4 seed in each conference will host the #5 seed in a single match for a place in the conference semifinals against the top seed in its conference. The conference semifinals will remain two-legged, while the conference finals will change from a single match to a two-leg aggregate series. Finally, the MLS Cup final will be held at the home field of the finalist with the highest point total during the regular season.