The MLS Cup Playoffs have begun and we know there are obstacles on the road to the MLS Cup Final.
[ MORE: Inter Miami schedule, Messi’s stats ]
Initially, 18 teams qualified for the playoffs, but it is clear that they are in pole position. Inter Miami.
How are Inter Miami and Lionel Messi doing in the MLS playoffs?
The Herons got off to a winning start on Friday, having tangled with rival and wild-card round winner Atlanta United for three games in a row.
Miami’s home crowd got the party started early, with Luis Suarez scoring just two minutes in, but Atlanta tied it up with a goal from Saba Lobjanidze. Messi then set up Jordi Alba to smash home from outside the box, making the difference in Miami’s second leg against Atlanta next Saturday.
Messi and Suarez have guided the Herons to the Supporters’ Shield and have their sights set on the club’s first MLS Cup.
Messi has contributed 31 goals despite being absent due to injury after the Copa America, while Suarez has scored 26 goals. Only six other players have scored at least 25 goals this season.
Gerardo “Tata” Martino is aiming to become the seventh manager to win multiple MLS Cups and the fourth to win with both teams. Martino led Atlanta United to the 2018 title.
2024 MLS Cup Playoffs: Format, Dates
A whopping 18 of Major League Soccer’s 29 franchises qualify for the postseason, but the field was quickly cut to 16 before the first round began, giving the favorites some leeway.
Wild Card Round, October 23rd: 8th place vs. 9th place in each conference, single elimination
The first round begins October 25th to November 10th. Best of 3 series. The first-place team in each conference will play the wild-card winner, the second-place team will play the seventh-place team, the third-place team will play the sixth-place team, and the fourth-place team will play the fifth-place team. The top seed in each bracket will play the first game at home and, if necessary, the third game.
Conference Semifinals, November 23-24: Single elimination with the favored team in the regular season
Conference Finals, November 30th – December 1st: Single elimination with the favored team in the regular season
MLS Cup Final, December 7: Home and away on two legs
2024 MLS Cup Playoffs: Qualifying Teams
Eastern Conference: Inter Miami (1), Columbus Crew (2), FC Cincinnati (3), Orlando City, New York City FC, Charlotte FC, New York Red Bulls. CF MontrealAtlanta United
Western Conference: LA Galaxy (1), LAFC (2), Seattle Sounders (3), Real Salt Lake, Houston Dynamo, Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United, Vancouver Whitecaps, portland timbers
2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule
Wildcard Round (Single Elimination)
Montreal 2-2 (4-5 pence) Atlanta
Vancouver 5-0 Portland
Round 1 (3rd match)
first leg
Inter Miami 2-1 Atlanta United
LA Galaxy 5-0 Colorado
Orlando City vs. Charlotte — Sunday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.
LAFC vs. Vancouver — Sunday, Oct. 27, 9:45 p.m.
FC Cincinnati vs. NYCFC — Monday, Oct. 28, 6:45 p.m.
Seattle vs. Houston — Monday, Oct. 28, 9 p.m.
Columbus vs. New York Red Bulls — Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6:45 p.m.
Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United — Tuesday, Oct. 29, 9 p.m.
second leg
Charlotte vs. Orlando City — Friday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado vs. LA Galaxy — Friday, Nov. 1, 9:30 p.m.
NYCFC vs FC Cincinnati — TBA Saturday, November 2nd
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami — Saturday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.
Minnesota United vs. Real Salt Lake — Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 p.m.
New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew — Sunday, Nov. 3, 4:30 p.m.
Houston vs. Seattle Sounders — Sunday, Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.
Vancouver vs. LAFC — Sunday, Nov. 3, 8:45 p.m.
third leg
as needed
