MLS has made important changes to the playoff format, this time there will be nine qualifiers for each conference, as well as a series of up to three games., something similar to other sports disciplines in the USA. Therefore, extra halves and penalty shootouts were left behind.
Of note, the MLS 2023 postseason will also see the addition of a pair of Pre-First Round Elimination Wild Card matches, which will now feature a 3-game streak.
After Decision Day (the last day of the regular season) on October 21, the top seven teams from each conference will automatically qualify for a three-game first round series, while the bottom two teams from each conference will qualify for the Wild Card Game. playoffs of the Audi MLS Cup by direct elimination.
Benefits of the new MLS playoff format
Importantly, the new expanded format will offer many more matches to win, as each match will have a winner and a loser in the first round three-game series. With the addition of Wild Card matches and a 3-game first-round playoff streak, there will be up to 24 games to have a winner before the MLS Cup final presented by Audi in 2023.which contrasts with 12 games in 2022.
It should be noted that all classified teams will play at least one home game, while the teams with the best record will have priority in the first games to be played.
Start of the MLS season and playoffs
The new post-season format kicks off with two Wild Card games starting on October 25 and 26, respectively, with a three-game first round series played from October 28 to November 12.. Semi-finals and finals of the conference will be held from November 25 to December 3. The final match of the Major League Soccer, MLS Cup, which is represented by Audi, will take place on December 9th.
However, the 2023 MLS season kicks off this Saturday, February 25th with a game between Nashville and New York City. Meanwhile, In the afternoon, the main course will be played with “El Clásico de El Tráfico” from the mythical Rose Bowl with LA Galaxy as LAFC host..
Source: La Opinion
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