MLS 2024 first round Playoffs confirmed: teams, times, schedule, format

Both Atlanta United and Vancouver Whitecaps negotiated the wild-card round at the expense of Montreal and Portland to secure their place in the next stage of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs as the first round featuring 16 teams now moves to a best-of-three format for this stage of the comPetition.

For this first round, no extra time will be played and both teams will see games resolved from the penalty spot to determine the winner with the first team to win two games progressing to the next stage.

Conference semifinals

The eight sides who advance will then participate in the Conference semi-finals which will be single games with the game hosted by the higher seed with extra-time and a penalty shoot-out employed should matches be tied.

The Conference finals and MLS Cup will follow the same format with games potentially decided on extra-time and a shoot-out.

MLS Cup favourites

Inter Miami amassed a record 74 points from their 34 games in the regular season and the Supporters’ Shield winners (and FIFA Club cup representatives) are certainly the ‘team to beat’ with the Herons propelled by Argentina’s Leo Messi who ended the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 games, averaging 1.05 goals per game and leading the team in both categories, tied with Luis Suárez for goals scored.

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Reigning MLS Cup holders Columbus Crew are always a threat and have proven to be an astute side in negotiating one-off games and are expected to go deep in the competition.

In the West, both Los Angeles based teams are on a solid run of form and are expected to reach the latter stages with in-form Orlando City a solid outside bet to surprise many.

MLS Cup: Round 1 schedule

Eastern Conference

MLS Cup: Round 1 schedule

Western Conference