The 2025 Audi MLS Cup playoff field is set!
After decision day, 18 teams – nine from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference – qualified for the playoffs and will begin their journey to the MLS Cup presented by Audi on December 6.
The single-elimination Wild Card matches (No. 8 vs. No. 9) are scheduled for Wednesday, October 22. The Best-of-3 series of the first round will begin on Friday, October 24.
Each match will be broadcast on the MLS Season Pass and will be available for free to Apple TV subscribers.
(8) Chicago Fire FC vs. (9) Orlando City
Chicago is hosting this single-elimination game, having reached the playoffs for the first time since 2017. They are in their first year under head coach Gregg Berhalter, whose team is led by Newcomer of the Year candidate Philip Zinckernagel (15g/15a). Orlando is winless in four, but could get a spark from Martín Ojeda. The Argentine playmaker has produced 16g/15a this year.
(1) Philadelphia Union vs. (8/9) Chicago or Orlando
- Game 1: To be announced
- Game 2: To be announced
- Game 3: To be announced
After winning the club’s second Supporters’ Shield title, Philadelphia is the top seed with 66 points. Tai Baribo (16 goals) is their top scorer and was named an All-Star alongside defenders Kai Wagner and Jakob Glesnes. With the priority of hosting the MLS Cup at Subaru Park, the Union will face the winner of the Wild Card Chicago vs. Orlando.
(2) FC Cincinnati vs. (7) Columbus Crew
- Game 1: To be announced
- Game 2: To be announced
- Game 3: To be announced
Hell Is Real awaits you in the first round, a rivalry matchup we saw in an epic 2023 Eastern Conference Finals when Columbus beat Cincinnati in overtime en route to that year’s title. Cincy will be looking for revenge and will be led by Brazilian number 10 Evander, who has collected 18g/15a this year. Meanwhile, the Crew will be highly motivated by club captain and legendary midfielder Darlington Nagbe who will retire at the end of the season.
(3) Inter Miami CF vs. (6) Nashville SC
- Game 1: To be announced
- Game 2: To be announced
- Game 3: To be announced
Inter Miami are on a roll, winning six of their last eight matches as Lionel Messi clinched the Golden Boot presented by Audi with 29 goals. The GOAT added 19 assists, leaving him poised to become Landon Donovan’s first back-to-back MLS MVP. But Nashville could surprise the Herons like Atlanta United did last year, especially with Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar combining for 40 goals during the regular season.
(4) Charlotte FC vs. (5) New York City FC
- Game 1: To be announced
- Game 2: To be announced
- Game 3: To be announced
Charlotte gained home-court advantage in the first round, a boost after posting the best home record in the league (13W-3L-1L). But they will be without Wilfried Zaha in the first match; the star striker received a red card on the day of the decision. This opens the door for goalkeeper Matt Freese and forward Alonso Martínez to potentially pull off an upset of New York City FC.
(1) San Diego FC FC vs. (8/9) Portland or Salt Lake
- Game 1: To be announced
- Game 2: To be announced
- Game 3: To be announced
San Diego defied expectations in its first season, setting expansion season records for points (63) and wins (19). They are led by Newcomer of the Year favorite Anders Dreyer (19g/19a) as well as Mexican superstar and fellow Designated Player Chucky Lozano. Head coach Mikey Varas’ squad awaits the Portland vs. RSL Wild Card winner in the first round and will have priority hosting at Snapdragon Stadium at least until the Western Conference Finals.
(2) Vancouver Whitecaps vs. (7) FC Dallas
- Game 1: To be announced
- Game 2: To be announced
- Game 3: To be announced
Vancouver signed German star Thomas Müller this summer, continuing their sensational year. The former Bayern Munich striker has an 8g/4a record in eight appearances (all competitions), lifting a team that reached the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup final and won a fourth consecutive Canadian Championship. They will face Dallas, who has climbed the standings while losing one of their last 10 games (5W-1L-4L). DP striker Petar Musa (18 goals) attracted attention after the mid-season transfer of Luciano Acosta.
(3) LAFC vs. (6) Austin FC
- Game 1: To be announced
- Game 2: To be announced
- Game 3: To be announced
LAFC has reached another level since Son Heung-Min’s league-record debut in early August. The South Korean superstar is 9g/3a in 10 games upon arrival from Tottenham Hotspur and has formed a lethal partnership with Golden Boot finalist Denis Bouanga (24 goals). Austin will look to All-Star goalkeeper Brad Stuver and homegrown midfielder Owen Wolff to make a difference. Wolff has contributed to a team-high 15 goals (7g/8a) this year.
(4) Minnesota United FC vs. (5) Seattle Sounders FC
- Game 1: To be announced
- Game 2: To be announced
- Game 3: To be announced
Minnesota stayed near the top of the West all season, gaining home-court advantage in the first round. There are questions in the attack, but Canadian international goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and veteran center back Michael Boxall provide a rock-solid foundation. Seattle has already proven its title this year by winning the League Cup against Inter Miami. The Sounders’ key players include USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan, emerging Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas and DP forward Albert Rusnák.
