Sporting KC and the San Jose Earthquakes entered Decision Day on the outside of the final MLS Cup Playoff places, but used positive results to solidify their spots in the postseason.
Peter Vermes’ squad used a 3-1 head-to-head victory over Minnesota United to reach the Wild Card Round, setting up a showdown with the Earthquakes this week. The Quakes tied Austin FC 1-1, which was enough to see them finish above the red line in the Western Conference.
The winner of Sporting KC-Earthquakes matchup will meet No. 1 seed and 2023 expansion side St. Louis CITY SC in the first round Best-of-3 Series. FC Cincinnati will host the first and third leg (if necessary) due to them being the higher seed in the conference.
No. 2 seed Seattle Sounders will meet No. 7 seed FC Dallas in the first round. The two teams split their two regular season meetings in 2023, with both matches ending 1-1 after 90 minutes.
No. 6 seed Vancouver Whitecaps will travel to No. 3 seed and defending league champions, Los Angeles FC in the first round. The two sides met in the Concacaf Champions League this season where LAFC advanced 6-0 on aggregate.
In MLS play, the Whitecaps captured a 3-2 victory over LAFC in June before Saturday’s 1-1 draw on Decision Day.
The No. 4 seeded Houston Dynamo have been paired with the No. 5 seed Real Salt Lake for the first round. The Dynamo have won two their three head-to-head meetings with RSL this season, including earning a 3-1 result in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals en route to a title.
Dates and times for the playoff matches have yet to be determined.
Eastern Conference Playoffs
Wild Card Round
(Higher seed hosts)
(#8) Sporting KC vs. (#9) San Jose Earthquakes – Wednesday, 10/25, TBD (Winner faces #1 St. Louis CITY SC in First Round)
First Round
(Higher seed hosts, Best-of-3 Series)
(#2) Seattle Sounders vs. (#7) FC Dallas – TBD
(#3) Los Angeles FC vs. (#6) Vancouver Whitecaps – TBD
(#4) Houston Dynamo vs. (#5) Real Salt Lake – TBD
East Semifinals
(Higher seeds host)
Winner of St. Louis CITY SC/Wild Card Round Winner vs. Houston Dynamo/RSL – TBD
Winner of LAFC/Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders/FC Dallas – TBD
East Finals
(Higher seed hosts)
TBD vs. TBD – TBD