MLS Cup Playoffs 2019: What you need to know about the new format, bracket, schedule and more
The MLS playoffs get underway next weekend

The playoff field for Major League Soccer is all set. The MLS Cup Playoffs begin on after the international break on Saturday, Oct. 19 and there will be six games in total over the weekend, leaving us with the last eight teams come Monday. An all-new format in the playoffs means teams will have to play with much more urgency, and there is no coming back from a defeat as two-leg ties are a thing of the past. Here's everything you need to know about the playoffs including the new format, the schedule, how to watch and more.
What's the new format like?
This time around, seven teams from each conference make the playoffs, and the No. 1 seed receives a first-round bye, joining in during the conference semifinals, which is pretty much the quarterfinals.
There are no two-leg affairs. In previous seasons, we had seen two legs in both the conference semifinals and conference finals. Last postseason, fans were treated to 17 games. The new format this time around is single elimination, which cuts it down to only 13 games. Simply put, it's win or go home time.
What about the bracket and seeds?
Here's a look at the bracket:
Bracket is set. ✔️
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 6, 2019
Can't wait for the Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/6WzDPD8FEh
The seeds go as following:
Eastern Conference:
- New York City FC
- Atlanta United FC
- Philadelphia Union
- Toronto FC
- D.C. United
- New York Red Bulls
- New England Revolution
Western Conference:
- Los Angeles FC
- Seattle Sounders
- Real Salt Lake
- Minnesota United FC
- Los Angeles Galaxy
- Portland Timbers
- FC Dallas
All games on Fox networks and Univision networks can be streamed via fuboTV (Try for free).
First round
(All kickoff times are U.S./Eastern)
Saturday, Oct. 19
- Atlanta United vs. New England Revolution, 3 p.m. (Univision, TUDN)
- Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas, 3:30 p.m. (FS1, Fox Deportes)
- Toronto FC vs. D.C. United, 6 p.m. (Univision, TUDN)
- Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers, 10 p.m. (ESPNews, ESPN Deportes)
Sunday, Oct. 20
- Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls, 3 p.m. (FS1, Fox Deportes)
- Minnesota United vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
Conference Semifinals
Wednesday, Oct. 23
- New York City FC vs. TBD, 7 p.m. (FS1, Fox Deportes)
- TBD vs. TBD, 10 p.m. (FS1, Fox Deportes)
Thursday, Oct. 24
- TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)
- Los Angeles FC vs. TBD, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
Conference Finals
Tuesday, Oct. 29
- TBD vs. TBD (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
Wednesday, Oct. 30
- TBD vs. TBD (FS1, Fox Deportes)
2019 MLS Cup
Sunday, Nov. 10
- East winner vs. West winner, 3 p.m. (ABC, Univision)
















