MLS Cup Playoffs field set as Fire and Timbers join 14 teams

The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs field was completed this week as wild-card winners Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers advanced to join 14 other clubs in the 16-team bracket that will decide the league champion on Dec. 6. Chicago returned to the postseason for the first time since 2017 with a 3-1 win over Orlando City, while Portland bounced back from a late-season loss to eliminate Real Salt Lake 3-1, setting up first-round series against top seeds Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC, respectively.

Under the postseason format, the opening round is a best-of-three series with the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 3. There is no aggregate scoring; tied matches are decided by an immediate penalty shootout. Winners advance to single-elimination conference semifinals and conference finals, with the MLS Cup final to be hosted by the remaining finalist with the better regular-season record.

The first-round schedule begins Oct. 24 and stretches through Nov. 9 if deciding games are needed. Friday’s opening match pairs Inter Miami, led by Golden Boot winner Lionel Messi, against Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale. Other Game 1 matchups include Philadelphia hosting Chicago, Vancouver hosting FC...