MLS playoffs 2021 schedule, matchups, groups, TV, streaming and betting odds

It’s put-up-or-shut-up time in Main League Soccer. The ultimate eight groups are set on the highway to MLS Cup 2021 with solely 5 matches left till the ultimate on Dec. 11.

Listed below are the fundamentals: A complete of 14 groups made the postseason (seven from East, seven from West). The staff with the very best file hosts each match of the playoffs, and the No. 1 seed in every convention will get a first-round bye and home-field benefit all through. It’s straight single-elimination knockouts from starting to finish.

The insanity begins on Nov. 20, and the total schedule for the 13 playoff matches via MLS Cup on Dec. 11 is listed under:

Through the playoffs, if there are any ties after 90 minutes of regulation, matches will head to half-hour of additional time. A penalty-kick shootout will decide a winner if the impasse persists on the finish of additional time.

MORE: Washington Spirit’s NWSL title run like nothing you have ever seen

MLS playoff groups

The ultimate standings in each the East and West have been set after Determination Day. This is how the playoff races ended:

Japanese Convention

The highest seven groups made it (famous with an ‘X’) with the New England Revolution having secured the No. 1 seed a couple of weeks again. D.C. United and defending champion Columbus Crew SC fell one level shy of the playoff subject (famous with an ‘E’), as the NY Crimson Bulls nabbed the seventh and ultimate spot with a draw on the ultimate day.

Within the case groups are tied on factors, the primary tiebreakers are (1) whole wins, (2) aim differential and (3) objectives scored. Listed below are the highest 10 positions within the ultimate standings of the 14-team Japanese Convention:

Western Convention

The highest seven groups certified (famous with an ‘X’). Actual Salt Lake made it with a win on the ultimate day (1-0 on a stoppage-time winner in KC), whereas each LA groups are out (famous with an ‘E’) after failing to win their ultimate matches. LAFC misplaced towards prime seed Colorado 5-2, whereas the LA Galaxy may solely tie 3-3 at residence towards No. 5-seed Minnesota.

Tiebreakers got here into play with the ultimate playoff spot within the West. The primary standings tiebreakers in MLS are (1) whole wins, (2) aim differential and (3) objectives scored, and RSL pipped the LA Galaxy on whole wins (14 vs. 13). This is how the highest 9 spots within the 13-team Western Convention completed:

MORE: How the U.S. nationwide staff can qualify to the 2022 World Cup

How MLS playoffs work

A complete of 12 single-elimination matches will depart two finalists, one from every convention, to play for MLS Cup on Dec. 11. Right here’s how the playoff format works:

• First spherical: Three matches in every convention pitting No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. The No. 1 seed will get a bye. Larger seeds host.
• Convention semis: It’s predetermined that the No. 1 seed will face the winner of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 match. The opposite two winners face off: No. 3/No. 6 vs. No. 2/No. 7. Once more, the upper seed hosts.
• Convention finals: The ultimate two groups left standing in every convention meet at the house of the best remaining seed.
• MLS Cup: The 2 convention champions meet at MLS Cup, hosted by the staff with the very best common season file.

The identical additional time guidelines for the playoffs — half-hour of additional time after 90 minutes of regulation, and a penalty-kick shootout, if crucial — apply in the MLS Cup ultimate.

MLS 2021 playoff bracket

Japanese Convention

First Spherical:

• No. 2 Philadelphia 1, No. 7 NY Crimson Bulls 0 (a.e.t.) | HIGHLIGHTS
• No. 3 Nashville SC 3, No. 6 Orlando Metropolis 1 | HIGHLIGHTS
• No. 4 NYCFC 2, No. 5 Atlanta United 0 | HIGHLIGHTS

Convention Semifinals:

• No. 1 New England Revolution 2, No. 4 NYCFC 2 (3-5 PKs)
• No. 2 Philadelphia Union 1, No. 3 Nashville 1 (2-0 PKs) | HIGHLIGHTS

Convention Closing:

• No. 2 Philadelphia Union vs. No. 4 NYCFC

Western Convention

First Spherical:

• No. 2 Seattle Sounders 0, No. 7 Actual Salt Lake 0 (5-6 PKs) | HIGHLIGHTS
• No. 3 Sporting KC 3, No. 6 Vancouver Whitecaps 1 | HIGHLIGHTS
• No. 4 Portland Timbers 3, No. 5 Minnesota United 1 | HIGHLIGHTS

Convention Semifinals:

• No. 1 Colorado Rapids 0, No. 4 Portland Timbers 1 | HIGHLIGHTS
• No. 3 Sporting KC 1, No. 7 Actual Salt Lake 2 | HIGHLIGHTS

Convention Closing:

• No. 4 Portland Timbers vs. No. 7 Actual Salt Lake

MORE: USMNT roster for World Cup qualifying

MLS 2021 playoff schedule, TV & streaming

Japanese Convention

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Western Convention

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

MLS Cup 2021

The twenty sixth MLS Cup championship ultimate shall be performed on Sat., Dec. 11 and shall be hosted by the finalist with the very best common season file.