The MLS postseason is well underway, with the final games of the first round set to conclude this weekend. Currently, four conference semifinal spots have been secured, while four first-round matches remain to determine the remaining teams.
Despite the excitement surrounding the quest for the MLS Cup, there have been some criticisms of the somewhat convoluted initial round format. Fans, players, and coaches have all expressed reservations about the playoff structure, leading to the question: Is the 2024 MLS playoff format well-received?
The current format was introduced in 2023 and features multiple rounds. Following a wild-card round, the remaining 16 teams compete in a best-of-three series using a home-away-home format for the first round. In case of a draw, teams proceed directly to penalty kicks; extra time is only added in the later rounds. The subsequent rounds — conference semifinals, conference final, and the MLS Cup Final — are all single-game elimination.
The two wild-card matchups have been widely appreciated by fans, offering thrilling single-elimination contests between teams fighting for a spot in the postseason. This season’s wild-card round witnessed the Vancouver Whitecaps deliver a stunning victory over Portland, while Atlanta United secured a win through penalties.
The main issue arises with the first round, which is criticized for its lengthy and awkward structure that has divided opinions among fans and teams.
LAFC captain and USMNT star Aaron Long voiced his disapproval of the best-of-three series after L.A.’s triumph against the Whitecaps on October 27.
“We just don’t like the best of three. I think both other options are better. Most of the guys feel the same way,” Long expressed, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “I think most of the guys prefer either a home-and-away format or just a single game.”
Los Angeles Galaxy coach Greg Vanney echoed Long’s sentiments, expressing his preference for the home-and-away format with aggregate scoring.
Absence of Aggregate Scoring
Past versions of the MLS playoffs utilized a home-and-away format with two games per round and a winner determined by the aggregate score across both matches. Although aggregation is complex, it provides a sense of equilibrium: every game played directly impacts the team’s progress. In contrast, the current format sees each game played in isolation.
Prior to the first-round matches, several players and coaches voiced skepticism about the absence of aggregate scoring.
Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith shared his reservations about the structure on October 25.
“I’m not entirely sold on the system,” Smith admitted, as reported by the Charlotte Soccer Show. “If you win on goal differential, that should suffice. The fact that you could win 6-0 away and then draw at home and still not advance bothers me a bit. But it is what it is.”
Smith mentioned that the team would focus on penalty practice during the playoffs, a facet they didn’t emphasize much during the regular season. Given that games go straight to penalties in case of a tie, successful penalty kicks could be the deciding factor between progression and elimination.
Seattle Sounders captain and goalkeeper Stefan Frei also expressed reservations about the format.
“You can lose the first game 5-0, tie the next two games, win in PKs, and still advance? I don’t agree with that,” Frei remarked on October 29, as reported by Jeremiah Oshan of Sounder at Heart.
Penalty kicks played a crucial role for Frei and the Sounders, as both games against the Houston Dynamo went to a shootout. The higher-seeded Sounders emerged victorious in both shootouts, advancing to the conference semifinals as a result.
However, before the shootout, there was an offensive disparity in both games: Houston failed to register any shots on goal in the first game and managed just one in the second. This outcome raised questions about whether the Dynamo aimed to win in regular time or were banking on penalties for a chance to secure victory — a strategy that other MLS teams seem to adopt under the current format.
Prolonged Playoff Schedule
On November 1, the Galaxy became the first team to progress to the conference semifinals after defeating the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 — their second victory of the round. The following day, Minnesota United secured their spot as the second team by defeating Real Salt Lake in penalty kicks. The two teams are slated to face off in the next round, but under the current schedule, the game will not take place until at least November 23 — more than three weeks after clinching the spot.
Several external factors contribute to the extended duration of this playoff format. The most disruptive factor is the FIFA international window from November 10-18. However, the primary reason for the prolonged schedule is the three-week duration of the first round, requiring players to travel cross-country twice during this period.
With the current format, MLS teams will play between 25 to 33 total postseason matches; in 2022, teams played a total of 13 matches.
Despite the increase in games, the best-of-three format does offer opportunities for upsets: all four games this weekend are a result of the lower seed securing a home win in the second game after losing on the road. Both MLS No. 1 seeds are at risk in the playoffs, with Inter Miami and LAFC returning home for Game 3. A home crowd advantage in a must-win match poses a challenge for all four lower-seeded teams heading into the weekend.
Upsets can also occur within two games — consider Minnesota’s victory over Real Salt Lake or the New York Red Bulls eliminating defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.
While MLS is likely to retain the current format for now, the unpopularity of the busy first-round structure raises the question of a potential overhaul. However, for now, all teams are focused on reaching the MLS Cup Final on December 7, even if the journey to get there is more arduous than anticipated.