MLS Playoff Bracket: Your Complete Guide to the 2023 Cup Chase

The 2023 MLS season has come to a close, and the stage is set for the most exciting time of the year - the MLS Cup Playoffs. The top seven teams in the league will battle it out for the coveted championship, with the winner claiming the top prize in Major League Soccer. If you're a fan of the league, you want to know how the playoffs work, who's favored to win, and what to expect from the bracket. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The MLS Cup Playoffs are a single-elimination tournament that pits the top teams from each conference against each other. The playoffs are structured in a way that ensures a balanced competition, with the best teams from each conference meeting in the Conference Finals. The winner of each Conference Final advances to the MLS Cup, which determines the league champion.

Here's a brief overview of the playoff format:

• The top three teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs, with the first-place team earning a first-round bye.
• The fourth seed plays the fifth seed, the third seed plays the sixth seed, and the second seed plays the seventh seed.
• The winners of each series advance to the Conference Semifinals, where the top seed plays the lowest remaining seed, and the second seed plays the next lowest remaining seed.
• The winners of the Conference Semifinals advance to the Conference Finals, where the top seed plays the second seed, and the second seed plays the third seed.
• The winners of the Conference Finals advance to the MLS Cup, which is played between the winners of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals.

With the playoffs just around the corner, let's take a closer look at the top teams in each conference and what you can expect from the bracket.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference is home to some of the top teams in MLS, including the top seed in the Conference Standings. Here are the top teams in the Eastern Conference and what you can expect from the playoffs:

• Eastern Conference Standings
  • 1. Philadelphia Union (47 points)
  • 2. New York City FC (44 points)
  • 3. New York Red Bulls (43 points)
  • 4. Orlando City SC (42 points)
  • 5. D.C. United (41 points)
• Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups
  • Wild Card Round:
    • No. 4 Orlando City SC vs. No. 5 D.C. United
    • No. 3 New York Red Bulls vs. No. 6 Toronto FC
  • Conference Semifinals:
    • No. 1 Philadelphia Union vs. No. 4 winner
    • No. 2 New York City FC vs. No. 3 winner
• Eastern Conference Favorites
  • Philadelphia Union: With the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Union are the favorites to win the Conference. They have a strong team and a favorable schedule in the playoffs.
  • New York City FC: The second seed in the Eastern Conference, NYCFC have a strong squad and a good chance of making a deep run in the playoffs.

Western Conference

The Western Conference is home to some of the top teams in MLS, including the top seed in the Conference Standings. Here are the top teams in the Western Conference and what you can expect from the playoffs:

• Western Conference Standings
  • 1. Los Angeles FC (45 points)
  • 2. Seattle Sounders FC (44 points)
  • 3. Sporting Kansas City (43 points)
  • 4. Colorado Rapids (42 points)
  • 5. Houston Dynamo (41 points)
• Western Conference Playoff Matchups
  • Wild Card Round:
    • No. 4 Colorado Rapids vs. No. 5 Houston Dynamo
    • No. 3 Sporting Kansas City vs. No. 6 Portland Timbers
  • Conference Semifinals:
    • No. 1 Los Angeles FC vs. No. 4 winner
    • No. 2 Seattle Sounders FC vs. No. 3 winner
• Western Conference Favorites
  • Los Angeles FC: With the top seed in the Western Conference, the LAFC are the favorites to win the Conference. They have a strong team and a favorable schedule in the playoffs.
  • Seattle Sounders FC: The second seed in the Western Conference, the Sounders have a strong squad and a good chance of making a deep run in the playoffs.

Teams to Watch

There are several teams in both conferences that are worth watching in the playoffs. Here are a few teams that could make a deep run:

• Philadelphia Union: With a strong team and a favorable schedule in the playoffs, the Union could make a surprise run to the final.
• Seattle Sounders FC: The Sounders have a strong squad and a good chance of making a deep run in the playoffs. They have a favorable schedule and could make a push for the final.
• Los Angeles FC: With the top seed in the Western Conference, the LAFC are the favorites to win the Conference. They have a strong team and a favorable schedule in the playoffs.

Key Players to Watch

There are several key players in both conferences that could make a big impact in the playoffs. Here are a few players to watch:

• Jozy Altidore (Philadelphia Union): With 15 goals in the regular season, Altidore is one of the top scorers in the league. He could be a key player for the Union in the playoffs.
• Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC): With 15 goals in the regular season