A rough guide to the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs: teams, format, dates

The 2023 MLS season is in its final stretch as teams jockey for an all important playoff place with Decision Day scheduled for 21 October.

Paul Reidypaulreidy67Update: Sep 21st, 2023 05:31 EDT

Matt BlewettUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

All 29 MLS clubs are in the final stretch of their 34 game season and as October 21 Deadline Day looms, a handful of teams (Colorado, Toronto) know that they will be out of action with the bulk of sides still very much in the hunt for playoff places with other sides such as Cincinnati, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Orlando and Columbus already mathematically guaranteeing a place in postseason after the results from midweek games.

WE ARE PLAYOFFS BOUND 🗣️@orlandohealth | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/Dww2JfiWE5

— x – Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) September 21, 2023

This season, securing a place in the top nine is the bare minimum to keep the season alive with MLS introducing a new wild card round for teams who end up in 8th/9th positions in both Eastern and Western Conferences.

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Jordi Alba #18 and Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF MEGAN BRIGGSAFP

The top seven teams in both conferences head to postseason action and will be joined by the one off game wild card winners with these matches scheduled for 25/26 October.

2023 MLS Playoffs

Another change affects the format of the playoffs as the eight teams per conference now enter a best of three series to see who advances to the semi final stages.

The countdown to Decision Day is on. ⏱Here's how the Eastern Conference could shake out for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. https://t.co/r21g4Gpoyp

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 25, 2023