2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Race
Logos of 15 of the 29 MLS teams.
As the MLS regular season comes to a close on October 21, it's time for the MLS Cup Playoffs. There are 29 MLS teams, with 14 in the West Division and 15 in the East Division. The tournament includes 9 teams from the East Division, and 9 teams from the West Division. Then, the 8 and 9 seeded teams play each other in a one game wild card. Once they have narrowed it down to 16 teams, each team will play a best-of-three series against their foe, which depends on their seed. #1 plays #8 or 9, #2 plays #7, # 3 plays #6, and #4 plays #5. All the games are played within the divisions, except for the Final, which is the winner of the East vs the winner of the West, similar to the NFL with the AFC and NFC.
Some teams have already secured their spot in the top 9. In the East Division, FC Cincinnati, Orlando City SC, New England Revolution, Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew, Atlanta United, and Nashville SC have all qualified. The only team out of contention for the final 2 spots is Toronto FC. In the West Division, the only team who has secured their place is the new expansion team, St Louis City SC (as of October 3rd). The rest of the west is wide open, with the only team not in the fight for the final 8 spots being the Colorado Rapids.
Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring a goal against Nasheville SC. (Image: Inter Miami).
Some might be surprised that Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, has not qualified, and are not even in the top 9 right now. This is because of Miami’s slow start before Messi arrived, and Messi’s injury which could leave him out for possibly the whole season. They are currently 4 points out of 9th place, with 4 games left.
The largest playoff threats are mostly in the East Division. When you combine the divisions (the combined divisions are called the Supporters Shield.), 6 of the top 7 teams are from the East Division. The team that has locked #1 in the Supporters' Shield and the most dominant team is FC Cincinnati, led by Luciano Acosta and Brandon Vazquez. They have only lost 4 games and are 9 points ahead of the #2 team.
Some other teams that are threats to make a run in the playoffs are St. Louis, Philadelphia, Orlando, and Columbus. St. Louis City SC has been a big story of 2023 because they are a new team. 2023 is their first year and most people projected them to be close to last place, as most expansion teams usually are. They have surprised and have turned out to be one of the best teams this season.
Cucho Hernández after scoring a goal for the Columbus Crew. (Image: Columbus Crew).
The 2023 MLS Playoffs is the first edition to have 18 teams, so it should be filled with excitement, chaos, and drama. The first round starts this month and it will be a tight finish for the final spots. I think that the final will be St. Louis City SC vs the Philadelphia Union, but the race is so close it’s hard to predict.