MLS playoff picture: Clinching scenarios, standings, schedule entering weekend

The MLS playoff chase is coming down to the wire, with just two matches remaining for all of the league’s teams.

This weekend will see a crucial set of matches, the league’s last games before Decision Day on Saturday, Nov. 7.

In the Eastern Conference, six teams have already qualified for the playoffs while another six are in a race for the final three playoff berths. That leaves three teams that are already eliminated.

It’s the same story in the Western Conference: Six teams are in, six are still alive and three are out of contention.

Let’s examine the MLS playoff picture heading into the penultimate weekend of play:

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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

Oct. 10: Charlotte FC defender Henry Kessler (22) clears the ball as FC Dallas forward Santiago Moreno (10) pressures during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte FC won the match, 3-2.

(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct. 10: Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi (4), defender Jack Elliott (3), goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) and New York City FC defender Raul Gustavo (34) battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. The Chicago Fire won the match, 2-1.

(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sept. 26: The San Jose Earthquakes’ Preston Judd (center top) celebrates in the stands after scoring a goal against the Portland Timbers during the first half at PayPal Park. San Jose won the match, 3-1.

(Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sept. 19: FC Dallas’ Shaq Moore (18) clears the ball with a bicycle kick as Austin FC’s Brandon Vázquez (9) and FC Dallas goalkeeper Daniel de Sousa Britto look on during the second half at Toyota Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

(Raymond Carlin III, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sept. 18: New York Red Bulls defender Tim Parker (26) heads the ball over New York City FC midfielder Hannes Wolf (17) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. RBNY won the match, 1-0.

(Mark Smith, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sept. 13: The New England Revolution’s Peyton Miller (25) scores a goal against the Chicago Fire during the second half at Soldier Field. New England won the match, 2-1.

(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sept. 9: The Vancouver Whitecaps’ Mathias Laborda (2) goes up for a header against the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Hirving Lozano during the first half at BC Place. Vancouver won the match, 3-0.

(Anne-Marie Sorvin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

(Thomas Salus, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 29: Lionel Messi scores a goal past CF Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier during the second half at NU Stadium. Messi scored four goals in a 7-1 win for Miami..

(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 29: The Chicago Fire’s Robin Lod (17) advances the ball away from the Seattle Sounders’ Kim Kee-Hee (20) and Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (85) during the first half at Lumen Field. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 22: The Vancouver Whitecaps’ Bruno Caicedo celebrates after scoring a goal against FC Dallas at BC Place. Vancouver won the match, 5-0.

(Christopher Morris, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 22: The son of San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Angus Gunn rushes onto the field in the final minutes of the second half against Minnesota United at PayPal Park.

(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 19: Real Salt Lake’s Stijn Spierings (6) leaps to head the ball over FC Dallas’ Logan Farrington (23) during the second half at America First Field. FC Dallas won the match, 4-3.

(Peter Creveling, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 16: Seattle Sounders FC forward Paul Rothrock (14) blocks a shot on goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half at Lumen Field. Vancouver won the match, 2-0.

(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 1: The Chicago Fire’s Robert Lewandowski (9) scores a goal during the second half against Charlotte FC at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 2-1, behind two goals from Lewandowski, his first goals in MLS.

(Kamil Krzaczynski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 1: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (left) controls the ball while defended by the Columbus Crew’s Sean Zawadzki during the second half at Nu Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug. 1: Red Bull New York’s Matthew Dos Santos (left) battles with Orlando City’s Ivan Angulo for the ball during the second half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. RBNY won the match, 3-2.

(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

July 25: The Houston Dynamo’s Lucas Halter (5) heads the ball away from Austin FC’s Brandon Vazquez (9) during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston won the match, 3-0.

(Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

July 25: D.C. United’s Tai Baribo (9) reacts after scoring the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in a 2-1 win against Toronto FC at Audi Field.

(Rafael Suanes, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

July 22: Orlando City’s Antoine Griezmann celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Orlando City won the match, 4-0.

(Brandon Vallance, Getty Images)

July 22: Atlanta United’s Elías Baez (3) heads the ball against Charlotte FC during the first half at Bank of America Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

(Jim Dedmon, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

July 17: LAFC’s Denis Bouanga (99) scores on a penalty kick against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. LAFC won the match, 3-0.

(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)

May 23: Nashville SC’s Jeisson Palacios (4) scores a goal on a header past New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville won the match, 2-1.

(Alan Poizner, Imagn Images)

May 23: Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) makes the save against the New England Revolution at Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte FC won the match, 1-0.

(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

May 16: FC Dallas’ Samuel Sarver celebrates by drinking a beer that was thrown at him by fans after he scored a goal against the San Jose Earthquakesat PayPal Park. Sarver’s stoppage-time goal gave FC Dallas a 3-2 victory.

(John Hefti, Imagn Images)

May 16: New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) dives for the ball in front of Red Bull New York’s Julian Hall (16) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The matched ended in a 1-1 draw.

(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

May 13: The Seattle Sounders’ Nouhou Tolo celebrates after an assist for a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at Lumen Field. The Seattle Sounders won the match, 3-2.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

May 13: Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady gets control of the ball after a corner kick against DC United at Audi Field. Chicago won the match, 3-1.

(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Images)

May 13: CF Montreal’s Wikelman Carmona (left) kicks away the ball from the Portland Timbers’ Finn Surman during the first half at Saputo Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

(David Kirouac, Imagn Images)

May 9: The Seattle Sounders’ Daniel Musovski kicks the ball away from San Diego FC’s Luca Bombino (27) during the second half at Lumen Field. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

May 9: FC Cincinnati’s Nick Hagglund heads the ball as Charlotte FC’s Morrison Agyemang pressures during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

May 3: New York City FC’s Strahinja Tanasijević (19) jumps to head the ball during the first half against D.C. United at Citi Field. D.C. United won the match, 2-0.

(Mark Smith, Imagn Images)

May 2: Orlando City SC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau makes a save as Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez (9) follows on the play during the first half at Miami Freedom Park. Orlando City rallied from a 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 comeback victory.

(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)

May 2: Red Bull New York’s Emil Forsberg (10) controls the ball against FC Dallas’ Ramiro Benetti (17) and Shaq Moore (18) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. FC Dallas won the match, 2-0.

(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

April 26: The LA Galaxy’s Marco Reus (18) jumps over Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Reus scored two goals as the Galaxy won the match, 2-1.

(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)

April 25: The Chicago Fire’s Philip Zinckernagel (left) and Sporting Kansas City’s Kwaku Agyabeng battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 5-0.

(Talia Sprague, Imagn Images)

April 22: Houston Dynamo FC forward Ondrej Lingr (9) attempts to control the ball as San Diego FC’s Osvald Soe (17) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium.

(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)

April 18: St. Louis City’s Jeong Sang-bin slides for the ball possessed by the Seattle Sounders’ Paul Rothrock during the second half at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 4-1.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

April 18: Colorado Rapids fans cheer during the match against Inter Miami at Empower Field at Mile High. A total of 75,824 fans attended the game played at the home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, marking the second-highest single-game attendance in MLS history (82,110 for LA Galaxy-LAFC at the Rose Bowl on July 4, 2023 is the most).

(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)

April 18: CF Montreal’s Prince Owusu (9) plays the ball and as Red Bull New York’s Dylan Nealis defends during the first half at Saputo Stadium. Montreal won the match, 4-1.

(Eric Bolte, Imagn Images)

April 11: Sporting Kansas City’s Stephen Afrifa (17) tries to head a shot on goal as the San Jose Earthquakes’ Jack Jasinski (left) defends during the second half of the match at Children’s Mercy Park. San Jose won the match, 3-1.

(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)

April 11: D.C. United’s Silvan Hefti (left) defends against the New England Revolution’s Dor Turgeman during the second half at Gillette Stadium. New England won the match, 1-0.

(Paul Rutherford, Imagn Images)

April 11: FC Cincinnati’s Tom Barlow heads the ball against Toronto FC during the first half at BMO Field. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw.

(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)

April 4: Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcon reacts after a play against Austin FC during the second half at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami drew 2-2 against Austin FC in the inaugural game at Nu Stadium in Miami.

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

April 4: The Chicago Fire’s Maren Haile-Selassie (7) and Nashville SC’s Maxwell Woledzi battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 1-0.

(Talia Sprague, Imagn Images)

March 22: San Diego FC’s Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL played to a 2-2 draw.

(Chadd Cady, Imagn Images)

March 21: St. Louis City’s Simon Becher (11) tackles the ball away from the New England Revolutio’ns Matt Polster at Energizer Park. St. Louis City won the match, 3-1.

(Scott Rovak, Imagn Images)

March 21: Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crapeau (71) blocks the header by Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville SC won the match, 5-0.

(Steve Roberts, Imagn Images)

March 21: Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran makes a play on the ball in front of Columbus Crew forward Jamal Thiaré (during the second half at BMO Field. TFC won the match, 2-1.

(Kevin Sousa, Imagn Images)

March 15: The Vancouver Whitecaps’ Mathías Laborda (2) scores against the Minnesota United en route to a 6-0 rout of Minnesota at BC Place.

(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)

March 14: San Diego FC’s Jeppe Tverskov (6) heads the ball during the second half against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.

(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)

March 7: A tifo is seen before the game between the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)

March 1: Inter Miami’s German Berterame controls the ball against Orlando City during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-2.

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

Feb. 28: Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga and the Houston Dynamo’s Antonio Carlos (left) compete for possession during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. LAFC won the match, 2-0.

(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)

Feb. 28: The Chicago Fire’s Jonathan Dean (24) and CF Montrea’s Hennadii Synchuk battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 3-0.

(Talia Sprague, Imagn Images)

Feb. 22: The Seattle Sounders’ Paul Rothrock celebrates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 2-0.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

Feb. 21: FC Cincinnati’s Gerardo Valenzuela (center) has his shot blocked by Atlanta United’s Elias Baez(left) during the first half at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati won the match, 2-0.

(Kareem Elgazzar, Imagn Images)

Feb. 21: Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) reaches for the ball against Real Salt Lake during the second half at BC Place. Vancouver won the match, 1-0.

(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)

Feb. 21: Fans watch during the national anthem before the game between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAFC won the game, 3-0, knocking off the defending MLS champs.

(Kelvin Kuo, Imagn Images)

Qualified for MLS playoffs

Eastern Conference

Nashville SC (clinched Supporters’ Shield)

Western Conference

Still in MLS playoff contention

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Eliminated from playoff contention

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

MLS standings

View full MLS standings HERE.

MLS schedule

The full list of games for Matchday 34 is below. All times Eastern.

(All games available on Apple TV)

Saturday, Oct. 31

1 p.m. — Charlotte FC vs. Orlando City SC
2 p.m. — FC Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia Union
2 p.m. — Columbus Crew vs. D.C. United
2 p.m. — New York City FC vs. CF Montréal
3 p.m. — Sporting Kansas City vs. FC Dallas
3 p.m. — St. Louis CITY SC vs. San Diego FC
5 p.m. — LA Galaxy vs. Austin FC
5 p.m. — San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake
9:30 p.m. — Colorado Rapids vs. Chicago Fire

Sunday, Nov. 1

4:30 p.m. — Nashville SC vs. New York Red Bulls
4:30 p.m. — Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC
4:30 p.m. — Atlanta United FC vs. Toronto FC
7 p.m. — New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami CF
8:30 p.m. — LAFC vs. Minnesota United FC
9:45 p.m. — Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo FC

MLS playoff clinching scenarios

Below is the full list of clinching and elimination scenarios, courtesy of MLS:

Eastern Conference

ORLANDO CITY SC (43 points, 12-13-7)

Orlando City SC clinches playoff berth with:

Orlando City SC WIN at Charlotte FC OR
Orlando City SC DRAW at Charlotte FC AND Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Red Bull New York LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC OR
Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Red Bull New York LOSS at Nashville SC AND New York City FC LOSS/DRAW vs. CF Montréal

FC CINCINNATI (43 points, 11-11-10)

FC Cincinnati clinches playoff berth with:

FC Cincinnati WIN vs. Philadelphia Union OR
FC Cincinnati DRAW vs. Philadelphia Union AND Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Red Bull New York DRAW at Nashville SC AND New York City FC LOSS/DRAW vs. CF Montréal OR
Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Red Bull New York LOSS at Nashville SC AND New York City FC LOSS/DRAW vs. CF Montréal

COLUMBUS CREW (41 points, 12-15-5)

Columbus Crew clinches playoff berth with:

Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United AND Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Red Bull New York LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC

NEW YORK RED BULLS (39 points, 11-15-6)

New York Red Bulls are eliminated from playoff contention with:

New York Red Bulls LOSS at Nashville SC AND Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United OR
New York Red Bulls DRAW at Nashville SC AND Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United AND Orlando City SC WIN/DRAW at Charlotte FC AND FC Cincinnati WIN/DRAW vs. Philadelphia Union

TORONTO FC (39 points, 9-11-12)

Toronto FC is eliminated from playoff contention with:

Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United OR
Toronto FC LOSS at Atlanta United AND Columbus Crew DRAW vs. D.C. United OR
Toronto FC LOSS at Atlanta United AND New York Red Bulls WIN at Nashville SC

NEW YORK CITY FC (38 points, 9-12-11)

New York City FC is eliminated from playoff contention with:

New York City FC LOSS vs. CF Montréal OR
New York City FC DRAW vs. CF Montréal AND Columbus Crew WIN/DRAW vs. D.C. United OR
New York City FC DRAW vs. CF Montréal AND Red Bull New York WIN at Nashville SC OR
Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United AND Orlando City SC WIN/DRAW at Charlotte FC AND FC Cincinnati WIN vs. Philadelphia Union

Western Conference

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC (58 points, 17-8-7)

Vancouver Whitecaps FC clinches the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with:

Vancouver Whitecaps FC WIN vs. Seattle Sounders FC OR
FC Dallas LOSS/DRAW at Sporting Kansas City

COLORADO RAPIDS (43 points, 12-13-7)

The Colorado Rapids clinch a playoff berth with:

Colorado Rapids WIN vs. Chicago Fire FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS/DRAW vs. Houston Dynamo FC OR
Colorado Rapids WIN vs. Chicago Fire FC AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS at Vancouver Whitecaps FC OR
Colorado Rapids WIN vs. Chicago Fire FC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS at San Jose Earthquakes AND LA Galaxy LOSS/DRAW vs. Austin FC OR
Colorado Rapids DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS at San Jose Earthquakes AND Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC OR
Colorado Rapids DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC AND LA Galaxy LOSS vs. Austin FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC OR
Colorado Rapids DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC AND Real Salt Lake DRAW at San Jose Earthquakes AND LA Galaxy DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (43 points, 11-11-10)

Seattle Sounders FC clinch a playoff berth with:

Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS/DRAW vs. Houston Dynamo FC OR
Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS at San Jose Earthquakes AND LA Galaxy LOSS/DRAW vs. Austin FC OR
Seattle Sounders FC DRAW at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS/DRAW at San Jose Earthquakes AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW at LAFC AND LA Galaxy LOSS/DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC

REAL SALT LAKE (42 points, 12-14-6)

Real Salt Lake clinches a playoff berth with:

Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes AND LA Galaxy LOSS/DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS/DRAW vs. Houston Dynamo FC

LA GALAXY (41 points, 10-11-11)

The LA Galaxy are eliminated from playoff contention with:

LA Galaxy LOSS vs. Austin FC AND Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN/DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC OR
LA Galaxy DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN vs. Chicago Fire FC

PORTLAND TIMBERS (40 points, 11-14-7)

The Portland Timbers are eliminated from playoff contention with:

Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC AND Real Salt Lake WIN/DRAW at San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN/DRAW at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN/DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC OR
Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC AND LA Galaxy WIN vs. Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN/DRAW at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN/DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC OR
Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC AND Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN/DRAW at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND LA Galaxy WIN vs. Austin FC OR
Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN/DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC AND LA Galaxy WIN vs. Austin FC AND Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes OR
Portland Timbers DRAW vs. Houston Dynamo FC AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes AND Colorado Rapids WIN vs. Chicago Fire FC OR
Portland Timbers DRAW vs. Houston Dynamo FC AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND LA Galaxy WIN vs. Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN vs. Chicago Fire FC

MINNESOTA UNITED FC (38 points, 9-12-11)

Minnesota United FC is eliminated from playoff contention with:

Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW at LAFC OR
LA Galaxy WIN vs. Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN/DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC OR
Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN/DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC OR
LA Galaxy DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Real Salt Lake DRAW at San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN/DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC

What is the format and schedule for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs?

A total of 18 teams qualify for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs — the top nine finishers from each conference.

The eighth- and ninth-place finishers in each conference will play in wild-card matches. The top seven seeds qualify for the Round 1 best-of-three series.

What is the MLS playoff schedule?

Nov. 18: Wild-card matches (single-elimination matches)
Nov. 20-Dec. 2: Round 1 (best-of-three series)
Dec. 5-6: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
Dec. 11-12: Conference finals (single-elimination matches)
Dec. 18: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS playoff picture: Clinching scenarios, standings, schedule entering weekend

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MLS playoff picture: Clinching scenarios, standings, schedule entering weekend

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

Qualified for MLS playoffs

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Still in MLS playoff contention

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Eliminated from playoff contention

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

MLS standings

MLS schedule

Saturday, Oct. 31

Sunday, Nov. 1

MLS playoff clinching scenarios

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

What is the format and schedule for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs?

What is the MLS playoff schedule?

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