News Summary
The teams for the Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs have been finalized following Decision Day. Wild Card matches are set for October 22, with Chicago Fire FC vs. Orlando City SC and Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake. Winners will advance to face top-ranked teams in a best-of-three series. Fans can expect streaming coverage via MLS Season Pass and select broadcasts on traditional TV. The postseason format promises exciting soccer action as anticipation builds for the championship.
Champaign, Illinois — 2025 MLS Cup Playoff Field Confirmed and Wild Card Matches Set for October 22
The conclusion of Decision Day 2025 has finalized the teams competing in this year’s Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Playoffs, with the opening Wild Card matches scheduled for Wednesday, October 22. The playoff brackets and matchups were confirmed following the last regular-season games, ending the season with a clear picture of the postseason landscape across both conferences.
Wild Card Matchups and Schedule
The Eastern Conference Wild Card game will feature Chicago Fire FC against Orlando City SC at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. This match will be hosted at SeatGeek Stadium. Meanwhile, the Western Conference Wild Card game pits Portland Timbers against Real Salt Lake at 10:30 p.m. ET, with Providence Park serving as the venue.
The winners of these matches will advance to the next round, where they will face higher-seeded teams in a best-of-three series. The Eastern Wild Card winner will go up against the top-ranked Philadelphia Union, while the Western Wild Card winner will face San Diego FC in the Round One Best-of-3 Series. Details regarding the dates and times of these subsequent rounds will be announced later, providing clarity for fans and participating teams.
Postseason Format and Broadcast Details
All matches within the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs will be streamed via the MLS Season Pass, which is accessible on a variety of devices including Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, and web browsers. Fans interested in premium access can subscribe for $9.99 for the remainder of the season. The service is available in over 100 countries and regions around the world.
In addition, select playoff games will also be broadcast through traditional TV outlets such as FOX Sports in the United States, and on TSN and RDS in Canada. To enhance fan engagement, special 30-minute pre- and post-game shows are planned to offer analysis, commentary, and highlights for the Wild Card matches and the subsequent rounds.
Major Teams and Notable Matchups
A significant development in the Eastern Conference was Charlotte FC clinching the fourth seed after a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union during Decision Day. Charlotte FC is set to face New York City FC in the postseason’s Round One. Details about the scheduling and exact dates for these matches will be announced on October 19.
New York City FC, which will host its playoff matches at Yankee Stadium, is making its ninth playoff appearance in ten seasons. The team enters the postseason with a two-match losing streak, having recently lost to the Seattle Sounders at Citi Field. These playoff appearances mark NYCFC as a consistent contender in recent years.
Looking Ahead to the Championship
The 2025 MLS Cup is scheduled to take place on December 6, bringing the season to a close with the league’s culmination in a highly anticipated championship match. Fans are encouraged to participate in playoff bracket submissions, with a chance to win prizes such as gift cards from the MLS Store.
Summary and Next Steps
Fans and teams alike await the upcoming Wild Card matches on October 22, which will determine the paths to the championship. The playoff structure promises exciting soccer action, with matches broadcast across streaming and traditional platforms. Further scheduling details for Round One and beyond will be announced shortly, building anticipation for the concluding months of the 2025 MLS season.
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Additional Resources
- Charlotte FC News
- Wikipedia: 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs
- Hudson River Blue
- Google Search: 2025 MLS Playoffs
- MLS Soccer News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: MLS Playoffs
- NYCFC News
- Google News: Charlotte FC vs New York City FC
- Sporting News
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