More teams will qualify but the length of the MLS postseason tournament will be compressed in future seasons
MLS has announced an overhaul of its playoff system that will see more teams involved and a single-leg elimination format introduced from the 2019 season.
Fourteen teams will make up the revised postseason field, up from 12 this year in a nod to the league's continued expansion – Los Angeles FC joined the league in 2018 and Cincinnati will compete for the first time next term.
The top seed from each conference will get a bye in the first round and will face the winner of the clash between the fourth and fifth seeds in the conference semifinals.