MLS playoff schedule, seedings, bracket: Inter Miami, LA Galaxy open up with wins as underdogs struggle

After a wild final day of the season that saw Los Angeles FC secure the top seed in the Western Conference and Inter Miami set the single season points record, and a wildcard round which saw Atlanta and Vancouver advance, the MLS Cup playoffs are truly underway. 

The playoffs began on Oct. 22 with the wildcard round and the main even started Friday, October 23 with the first round best of three series matchups as Inter Miami topped Atlanta United 2-1 in their series opener. Despite finishing as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Whitecaps needed to travel to face the Portland Timbers due to BC Place hosting the World Supercross Canadian Grand Prix, but their road win meant they had the honor of facing LAFC in the first round, and losing their opener 2-1. After the initial best of three matchups, the playoffs will become single elimination as the tension ratchets up in pursuit of an MLS Cup.

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Wildcard results

Tuesday, Oct. 22
Montreal 2, Atlanta United 2

Wednesday, Oct. 23
Vancouver Whitecaps 5, Portland Timbers 0

MLS Playoff Bracket

MLS Cup Playoff Schedule

Eastern Conference Round 1 Best-of-3 Series
No. 1 Inter Miami CF vs. No. 8 No. 9 Atlanta United 
Oct. 25: Inter Miami 2, Atlanta 1
Nov. 2, 7 p.m.: Atlanta vs Inter Miami
Nov. 8, 8 p.m. (if necessary): Inter Miami vs. Atlanta 

No. 2 Columbus Crew vs. No. 7 New York Red Bulls
Oct. 29, 6:45 p.m.: Crew vs. RBNY
Nov. 3, 4:30 p.m.: RBNY vs. Crew
Nov. 10, 5 p.m. (if nec.): Crew vs. RBNY
 
No. 3 FC Cincinnati vs. No. 6 New York City FC
Oct. 28, 6:45 p.m.: FCC vs. NYCFC
Nov. 2, 5 p.m.: NYCFC vs. FCC
Nov. 8, 4 p.m. (if nec.) FCC vs. NYCFC

No. 4 Orlando City SC vs. No. 5 Charlotte FC
Oct. 27: Orlando 2, Charlotte 0
Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.: Charlotte vs. Orlando
Nov. 8, 6 p.m. (if nec.): Orlando vs. Charlotte

Western Conference Round 1 Best-of-3 Series
No. 1 LAFC vs. No. 8 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Oct. 27: LAFC 2, Whitecaps 1
Nov. 3, 8:45 p.m.: Whitecaps vs. LAFC
Nov. 8 11 p.m. (if nec.): LAFC vs. White Caps

No. 2 LA Galaxy vs. No. 7 Colorado Rapids
Oct. 26: Galaxy 5, Rapids 0
Nov. 1, 9:30 p.m.: Rapids vs. Galaxy
Nov. 8, 10 p.m. (if nec.): Galaxy vs. Rapids

No. 3 Real Salt Lake vs. No. 6 Minnesota United FC
Oct. 29, 9 p.m.: RSL vs. Minnesota
Nov. 2, 9 p.m.: Minnesota vs. RSL
Nov. 8, 9 p.m. (if nec.): RSL vs. Minnesota

No. 4 Seattle Sounders FC vs. No. 5 Houston Dynamo FC
Oct. 28,9 p.m.: Sounds vs. Dynamo
Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.: Dynamo vs. Sounders
Nov. 10, 7 p.m. (if nec.): Sounds vs. Dynamo

Conference Semifinals
Saturday, Nov. 23 - Sunday, Nov. 24

Conference Finals
Saturday, Nov. 30 - Sunday, Dece. 1

MLS Cup presented by Audi
Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m. ET