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Breaking down the new MLS playoff format

On Monday afternoon, Major League Soccer announced a new playoff format beginning in 2019. The new system provides a far greater advantage for the higher seeded teams, who will no longer have to travel for the first leg of their quarterfinal and semifinal series.

In 2019, seven teams from each conference will make the MLS playoffs. The first seed -- the team with the best regular season record in each conference -- will receive a first-round bye, which leads to the following set of matchups:

  • 2 vs 7
  • 3 vs 6
  • 4 vs 5

The winner of the 4 vs 5 game will face the one seed, while the winners of the 2 vs 7 and 3 vs 6 games will meet.