MLS finalizes HUGE changes to playoff format… with a ‘best-of-3 series in first round & NO DRAWS’

By James On Feb 21, 2023

Major League Soccer is set for a massive shakeup of its playoff format just four days before the start of the 2023 season.

First reported by Pablo Maurer and Jeff Rueter of the athleticMLS later officially confirmed an increase in the number of qualified teams in each conference from seven to nine, and will institute a best-of-three series for the ‘first round’ with no ties.

A ‘wild card’ opening round will see the No. 8 and 9 seeds play each other in a one-off match at the venue of the higher seed.

From there, the first round will feature the winners of that game and the No. 1 seed, as well as matchups between the 2nd and 7th, 3rd and 6th, and 4th and 5th seeds, all in a best-of-three series.

In particular, these games cannot end in a tie. The highest seed will host the first and third games (if necessary), with the winner advancing to the conference semifinal, where the traditional single-elimination format will continue through the MLS Cup final.

MLS is ready to institute sweeping changes to its playoff system, including a best-of-three round.

While it was initially unclear how those ties will be resolved, MLS later clarified that if matches are tied at the end of regulation, the teams will go directly to a penalty shootout.

In this best-of-three series, the first team to win two games will advance to the conference semifinals.

Rumors of a best-of-three series leaked in December, with the idea that there could be a World Cup-style ‘group stage’ in each conference, with the two winners playing in a single-elimination match to decide. . going to the MLS Cup.

According to Maurer, this isn’t the first time Major League Soccer has adjusted its playoff format, nor is it the first time a best-of-three has been used.

“During its early years, when the league was struggling for relevance and financially deteriorating, eight of the league’s 10 teams made the playoffs,” Maurer wrote.

‘The league employed a best-of-three ‘first in five’ format for the conference semifinals and finals.’

MLS then changed its format in 2000 when it was divided into the West, East, and Central divisions, with the top eight teams in the league making it to the postseason, regardless of which division they were in.

The league later moved to a two-game system with “home and away” games.

‘He revised that format in 2000 when he divided the league into three divisions; at the time, the top eight teams in the league, regardless of division, made the postseason.

‘The league eventually moved to a two-legged ‘back and forth’ system. In 2019, MLS moved to its most recent iteration, the single-elimination format that it maintained through the 2023 season.

None of the first round matches can end in a draw, which can lead to a penalty shootout.

It is not clear if these games will be decided in extra time, on penalties or both.

This expansion is sure to be great news for Apple and its MLS Season Pass subscribers, who will now have more games to watch in the playoffs.

It will also be great news for season ticket holders and club owners, as each qualifying team will now have the opportunity to host a postseason game.

However, it’s hard to see how expanding to a best-of-three series will improve the quality of the playoffs.

One would imagine that it would be difficult for one of the teams that finished eighth (Columbus Crew & Portland Timbers) or ninth (Charlotte FC or Vancouver Whitecaps) last season to have much of a chance against Los Angeles FC or Philadelphia Union – the two No 1 heads of series that met in the MLS Cup Final.

reuter added that the playload for MLS players could be too much considering they would be playing regular-season games, playoffs, and three cup competitions: the US Open Cup, the new League Cup, and the CONCACAF Champions League .

Above is an example of the format applied to the 2022 Eastern Conference final standings.

Above is an example of the format applied to the final 2022 Western Conference standings.

“Let’s say LAFC, Austin, Philadelphia or Orlando are after glory…the rosters aren’t deep enough for 50-60 games,” he said.

Further clarifications came from MLS Buzz fan account, who explained that ‘the league still only allows 20 senior salary-cap players. MLS HAS to allow deeper rosters or quality at the end of the season will suffer even more.’

Other fans and writers on social media took the opportunity to mock the owners or invent outrageous hypothetical situations.

Rob Usry of SB Nation wrote‘“It’s been a tough run, but we’re just 2 points below the playoff line,” said the MLS General Manager after the 12th straight loss.’

‘”MLS Playoffs 2035 will see all 47 teams qualify and play in 1 match. Teams will enter every 90 seconds. The only way to win is to throw your opponent over the crossbar. The remaining team gets a chance to challenge to Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania”,’ another joked.

But the point was stressed by the YouTube channel. tactical manager: ‘Over 60% of MLS teams will make it to the playoffs and there will be no consequences for those who finish bottom of the table. From a “competitiveness” standpoint, this is simply not good… The league needs to take steps to move forward and not regress.’

MLS fans are not happy with the new format of the playoffs this season