MLS Playoffs 2025: A Look Ahead to the Exciting Postseason
The 2025 MLS Cup playoffs kick off Wednesday night, featuring the Chicago Fire hosting Orlando City and Real Salt Lake visiting the Portland Timbers. This marks the beginning of a six-week postseason filled with intrigue, unpredictability, and the potential for Lionel Messi to secure his first MLS Cup trophy.
After an eight-month regular season, only 12 of the 30 teams advanced, with the Philadelphia Union and expansion San Diego FC earning the top seeds in their respective conferences. Philadelphia, having claimed the Supporters’ Shield for the second time in six seasons, enters the playoffs as a soft favorite despite having the fewest points for a Shield winner since 2016.
The playoffs will feature a unique format. Nine teams from each conference will compete, with the bottom two facing off in wild-card matches on Wednesday. If matches end in a tie, they will go directly to penalty kicks, with the winners advancing to meet the top seeds.
The conference quarterfinals will follow a best-of-three format starting Friday. Unlike the regular season, there are no draws; a tied match will be decided by penalties. Once the last four teams in each conference are determined, the playoffs will pause for nearly two weeks to avoid conflicting with FIFA’s international window.
Later rounds will see a shift to single-match eliminations, hosted by the higher seed, culminating in the MLS Cup on December 6, which will also be a single match. The total length of the season will reach 288 days, slightly longer than the traditional Premier League calendar.
Teams to Watch
Philadelphia’s strength lies in its solid defense, having allowed the fewest goals in the league this season. New head coach Bradley Carnell has led the Union to a formidable home record, making them a legitimate threat.
However, eyes will also be on Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC. Miami, led by Messi, boasts an impressive offensive record, having scored the most goals in the league. Meanwhile, LAFC’s potent attacking duo of Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min presents a significant challenge for opponents.
The Vancouver Whitecaps could emerge as dark horses, bolstered by the addition of German superstar Thomas Müller, who has made an immediate impact since joining the team in August.
The Feel-Good Story
San Diego FC, the expansion team, has made headlines with a record-setting 19 victories and strong performances on the road. With key players like Anders Dreyer and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, they are poised to make a splash in their inaugural playoff run.
The Defending Champions’ Struggles
The Los Angeles Galaxy, last year’s champions, have struggled this season and find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. This reflects the unpredictable nature of MLS, where no team has repeated as champions since the Galaxy did so in 2011-12.
Predictions
With the playoffs set to unfold, the consensus among analysts leans toward Los Angeles FC as the team to beat. Their combination of talent and experience positions them as strong contenders to lift the MLS Cup trophy.
