League Structure

Major League Soccer (MLS): Understanding League Structure and Playoffs

League Structure

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top-tier men's professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and represents the highest level of soccer in North America.

Format

The MLS regular season consists of 34 matches, played over a period of 34 weeks. Each team plays 17 home and 17 away matches. The season runs from March to October, with each week featuring 10 matches.

Conferences

The MLS is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference has 14 teams, and the top seven teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs.

Playoffs

The MLS playoffs are a single-elimination tournament involving the top 14 teams in the league. The top seed from each conference receives a bye to the conference semifinals, while the other six teams play in the conference quarterfinals.

The conference semifinals are played over two legs, with the higher-seeded team hosting the second leg. The conference finals are also played over two legs, with the winner of each conference advancing to the MLS Cup final.

MLS Cup Final

The MLS Cup final is the championship game of the MLS season and determines the league champion. The final is played at a neutral venue, and the winner earns the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.