After the conclusion of Round One of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, here’s the full fixture list for the eight Conference semi-finalists.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Nov 15th, 2023 06:12 EST
Denny MedleyUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
After three weeks of thrilling playoff action, Round One of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs concluded on Sunday evening with Columbus Crew’s 4-2 victory over Atlanta United.
That win ensured that Columbus would be the eighth and final Conference semi-finalist, setting up an exciting knock-out tie with Orlando City in the next round.
Here is the full list of teams that have booked their place…
MLS Cup Playoffs: Semi-final qualifiers
FC Cincinnati (2-0 series win over RB New York)Sporting Kansas City (2-0 series win over St. Louis City)LAFC (2-0 series win over Vancouver Whitecaps)Orlando City (2-0 series win over Nashville)Philadelphia Union (2-0 series win over New England Revolution)Seattle Sounders (2-1 series win over FC Dallas)Houston Dynamo (2-1 series win over Real Salt Lake)Colombus Crew (2-1 series win over Atlanta United)
MLS Cup Playoffs schedule
This year’s post-season will be played across seven weeks, making it the MLS’ longest playoff tournament.
The action began in late October with two Wild Card matches, before the best-of-three Round One from 28 October to 12 November. There will now be a 12-day break for international fixtures before the playoffs resume for the single-game elimination phase.
Here’s how those fixtures look…
MLS Cup schedule, Conference semi-finals
Orlando City – Columbus Crew, Saturday 25 NovemberFC Cincinnati – Philadelphia Union, Saturday 25 NovemberHouston Dynamo – Sporting Kansas City, Sunday 26 NovemberSeattle Sounders – LAFC, Sunday 26 November
The Conference finals will then be played across the weekend 2-3 December. The grand finale, the 2023 MLS Cup, will take place on 9 December.
The mid-playoff international break now gives the teams a chance to regroup and prepare for the final assault on MLS Cup, but for some that may not be a good thing. The likes of LAFC and FC Cincinnati were able to wrap up their best-of-three series after the first two games, meaning that they were not required to play their final Round One fixture. Their players, most of whom are not on international duty, will have an awkward three-week gap with no competitive matches to keep them sharp.
Full screen
Columbus Crew were the final team to book their place in the semi-finals.Joseph MaioranaUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
This could give an advantage to teams like Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew, who had to wait until the final weekend of Round One fixtures to confirm their place in the semi-finals.
MLS Cup Playoffs bracket
Unlike the best-of-three series format used in Round One, all remaining games in the MLS Cup Playoffs will be single-legged straight elimination matches. Each game will be decided on the night, meaning that every team will be playing for playoff survival every time they take to the field.
Here’s how the playoff bracket looks…
The Conference Semifinals are set! 👀Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/f6BwLnjbDI
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 13, 2023
In each Conference the two victorious semi-finalists will go head-to-head in the Conference final. The winners of the Eastern and Western Conferences will then face off for the 2023 MLS Cup on Saturday, 9 December.
Can players be suspended for yellows cards in MLS Cup Playoffs?
During the course of the regular season, players receive a one-game suspension for reaching five yellow cards (not including the second of two bookings in the same game). But in the playoffs, where fewer games are played, the threshold for a suspension is lowered.
