MLS playoff clinching scenarios: LAFC, Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake can secure berths
Last weekend, three teams — the Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati and LA Galaxy — joined Inter Miami CF in the 2024 MLS postseason field.
On Wednesday night, three more teams can clinch playoff berths:
➤ Los Angeles FC
- Win and FC Dallas loss or tie
➤ Colorado Rapids
- Win and FC Dallas loss or tie, and Austin FC loss or tie
➤ Real Salt Lake
- Win and Austin FC loss
MLS Matchday 33: What are Wednesday night's games?
(All games available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
- Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m. ET
- New England Revolution vs. CF Montréal, 7:30 p.m. ET
- New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Orlando City SC vs. Charlotte FC, 8:15 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Houston Dynamo FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Minnesota United FC vs. FC Cincinnati, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Nashville SC vs. Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Los Angeles FC vs. Austin FC, 10:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m. ET
- Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m. ET
What is the format for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs?
A total of 18 teams qualify for the 2024 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.
When do the MLS playoffs start?
Here is the playoff schedule:
- Oct. 3: Wild-card matches (single-elimination matches)
- Oct. 26-Nov. 10: Round 1 (best-of-three series)
- Nov. 23-24: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
- Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Conference finals (single-elimination matches)
- Dec. 7: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)
MLS CUP: Ranking every Major League Soccer championship game
MLS playoff picture: If the season ended today …
Heading into MLS Matchday 30, these would be the MLS playoff matchups through the first round …
EASTERN CONFERENCE
➤ Clinched playoff spot: Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF
Wild-card match:
- Toronto FC (No. 8 seed) vs. D.C. United (9)
Round 1 (best-of-three series):
- Inter Miami CF (1) vs. Toronto FC-D.C. United winner
- FC Cincinnati (2) vs. Charlotte FC (7)
- Columbus Crew (3) vs. New York City FC (6)
- New York Red Bulls (4) vs. Orlando City SC (5)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
➤ Clinched playoff spot: LA Galaxy
Wild-card match:
- Portland Timbers (No. 8 seed) vs. Minnesota United FC (9)
Round 1 (best-of-three series):
- LA Galaxy (1) vs. Portland Timbers-Minnesota United FC winner
- Los Angeles FC (2) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (7)
- Colorado Rapids (3) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6)
- Real Salt Lake (4) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (5)
MORE: 2024 MLS standings
MLS betting odds: Who is favorite to win championship?
According to BetMGM, Inter Miami CF (+170) is the current favorite to win the 2024 league championship, followed by LA Galaxy (+700), Los Angeles FC (+700), Columbus Crew (+700) and FC Cincinnati (+1200).
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