MLS and Apple are offering the league’s entire slate of playoff matches to all Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost, making the games available to a wider audience than just those who subscribe specifically to the MLS Season Pass service. The move builds on a strategy shift from the regular season and Leagues Cup that involved increasing the number of games available to those who subscribe to the broader entertainment service.
The league concluded its regular season with a full slate of Decision Day matches yesterday. FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake each clinched playoff berths on the final day of the season at the expense of the Earthquakes and Rapids. The 18-team playoff field features some of this season’s highest-profile stars, including Inter Miami MF Lionel Messi (who led the league in both goals and assists), LAFC F Son Heung-Min and Whitecaps MF Thomas Müller.
The MLS Cup Playoffs begin Wednesday with two Wild Card matches (No. 8 vs No. 9 in each conference), with the full best-of-3 Round One beginning on Friday. This will be the league’s third season under this playoff format, which shifts to single elimination in all subsequent rounds. MLS Cup is scheduled for Dec. 6.
In addition to matches Apple TV and MLS Season Pass, select playoff games will also be available through Fox Sports in the U.S. (FS1 and Fox Deportes) and on TSN and RDS in Canada. MLS Cup will air on Fox’s flagship broadcast network.
MLS Cup Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference: Wild Card
(8) Chicago Fire FC vs. (9) Orlando City
Western Conference: Wild Card
(8) Portland Timbers vs. (9) Real Salt Lake
Eastern Conference: Round One (Best of 3)
(1) Philadelphia Union vs. (8/9) Chicago or Orlando
(2) FC Cincinnati vs. (7) Columbus Crew
(3) Inter Miami CF vs. (6) Nashville SC
(4) Charlotte FC vs. (5) New York City FC
Western Conference: Round One (Best of 3)
(1) San Diego FC vs. (8/9) Portland or Salt Lake
(2) Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. (7) FC Dallas
(3) LAFC vs. (6) Austin FC
(4) Minnesota United FC vs. (5) Seattle Sounders FC
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