Wikipedia

2024 MLS Cup playoffs

The 2024 MLS Cup playoffs (branded as the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs for sponsorship reasons) was the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top soccer league in the United States and Canada. It was the 29th edition of the MLS Cup playoffs, the tournament culminating at the end of the 2024 season. The playoffs began on October 22 and concluded with MLS Cup 2024 on December 7.[1][2]

2024 MLS Cup playoffs
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
Canada
DatesOctober 22 – December 7
Teams18
Defending championsColumbus Crew
Final positions
ChampionsLA Galaxy (6th title)
Runner-upNew York Red Bulls
Semifinalists
Tournament statistics
Matches played29
Goals scored74 (2.55 per match)
Attendance697,403 (24,048 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Serbia Dejan Joveljić
(6 goals)
← 2023
2025 →

The Columbus Crew entered the playoffs as the defending MLS Cup champions, but were eliminated by the New York Red Bulls in round one. Inter Miami CF entered as Supporters' Shield winners and Eastern Conference regular season leaders; they were eliminated in round one by Atlanta United FC. Western Conference regular season leaders Los Angeles FC were eliminated in the conference semifinals by Seattle Sounders FC.

The LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2–1.[3] The LA Galaxy broke the record for the most goals in a playoff campaign with 18 goals.

Format

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Similar to the 2023 edition, the playoffs featured a field of eighteen teams—the top nine teams from each conference. The top seven teams in each conference automatically qualified for round one, while the eighth and ninth-placed teams in each conference contested a single wild card match for the right to play the best-ranked team in their conference, with only a penalty shoot-out occurring if the game was tied. Round one comprised a best-of-three format, with higher seeds playing against lower seeds. The round did not have the aggregate score kept, and tied matches proceeded directly to a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner. The remaining three rounds — the conference semifinals, conference final, and MLS Cup — were single-elimination matches played with extra time and a penalty shoot-out if still tied.[1][4] The team with the better regular season record hosted the match in all rounds except for the best-of-three series in round one, where the lower seed hosted the second of three possible matches. All matches were broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass, a streaming service operated by Apple.[1]

Qualified teams

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The playoffs were contested by eighteen teams. The date listed indicates when each team qualified for the playoffs.

Conference standings

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Bracket

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The higher seeded teams hosted single-elimination matches, with the MLS Cup host determined by overall points in the Supporters' Shield table. During the best-of-three round, the team with higher seed hosted the first match and the third match if necessary.

Wild card
single match 		Round one
best-of-three series 		Conference semifinals
single match 		Conference finals
single match 		MLS Cup
single match
E1 Inter Miami CF 2 1 2
E8 CF Montréal 2 (4) E9 Atlanta United FC 1 2 3
E9 Atlanta United FC 2 (5) E9 Atlanta United FC 0
E4 Orlando City SC 1
E4 Orlando City SC 2 0 (1) 1 (4) Eastern Conference
E5 Charlotte FC 0 0 (3) 1 (1)
E4 Orlando City SC 0
E7 New York Red Bulls 1
E3 FC Cincinnati 1 1 0 (5)
E6 New York City FC 0 3 0 (6)
E6 New York City FC 0
E7 New York Red Bulls 2
E2 Columbus Crew 0 2 (4) –
E7 New York Red Bulls 1 2 (5) –
E7 New York Red Bulls 1
W2 LA Galaxy 2
W1 Los Angeles FC 2 0 1
W8 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 5 W8 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 3 0
W9 Portland Timbers 0 W1 Los Angeles FC 1
W4 Seattle Sounders FC (a.e.t.) 2
W4 Seattle Sounders FC 0 (5) 1 (7) – Western Conference
W5 Houston Dynamo FC 0 (4) 1 (6) –
W4 Seattle Sounders FC 0
W2 LA Galaxy 1
W3 Real Salt Lake 0 (4) 1 (1) –
W6 Minnesota United FC 0 (5) 1 (3) –
W6 Minnesota United FC 2
W2 LA Galaxy 6
W2 LA Galaxy 5 4 –
W7 Colorado Rapids 0 1 –

Wild card round

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Home teamScoreAway team
Eastern Conference
CF Montréal2–2 (4–5 p)Atlanta United FC
Western Conference
Vancouver Whitecaps FC5–0Portland Timbers

Eastern Conference

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CF Montréal2–2Atlanta United FC
 Report
Penalties
 4–5
Attendance: 16,566
Referee: Joe Dickerson

Western Conference

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Vancouver Whitecaps FC5–0Portland Timbers
 Report
Attendance: 19,143
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez

Round one

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Team 1SeriesTeam 2Game 1Game 2Game 3
Eastern Conference
Inter Miami CF1–2Atlanta United FC2–11–22–3
Columbus Crew0–2New York Red Bulls0–12–2 (4–5 p)—
FC Cincinnati1–2New York City FC1–01–30–0 (5–6 p)
Orlando City SC2–1Charlotte FC2–00–0 (1–3 p)1–1 (4–1 p)
Western Conference
Los Angeles FC2–1Vancouver Whitecaps FC2–10–31–0
LA Galaxy2–0Colorado Rapids5–04–1—
Real Salt Lake0–2Minnesota United FC0–0 (4–5 p)1–1 (1–3 p)—
Seattle Sounders FC2–0Houston Dynamo FC0–0 (5–4 p)1–1 (7–6 p)—

Eastern Conference

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Inter Miami CF2–1Atlanta United FC
 Report Lobzhanidze   39'
Attendance: 20,673
Referee: Allen Chapman
Atlanta United FC2–1Inter Miami CF
 Report Martínez   40'
Attendance: 68,455
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Inter Miami CF2–3Atlanta United FC
 Report
Attendance: 20,673
Referee: Lukasz Szpala

Atlanta United FC won the series 2–1.

Columbus Crew0–1New York Red Bulls
Report Carballo   25'
Attendance: 19,050
Referee: Timothy Ford
New York Red Bulls2–2Columbus Crew
 Report
Penalties
 5–4
Attendance: 20,936
Referee: Filip Dujic

New York Red Bulls won the series 2–0.

FC Cincinnati1–0New York City FC
Asad   51' Report
Attendance: 21,413
Referee: Sergii Boiko
New York City FC3–1FC Cincinnati
 Report Orellano   65'
Attendance: 19,585
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
FC Cincinnati0–0New York City FC
Report
Penalties
 5–6
Attendance: 22,487
Referee: Drew Fischer

New York City FC won the series 2–1.

Orlando City SC2–0Charlotte FC
 Report
Attendance: 17,787
Referee: Drew Fischer
Charlotte FC0–0Orlando City SC
Report
Penalties
 3–1
Attendance: 40,238
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Orlando City SC1–1Charlotte FC
Torres   90 12' Report Świderski   81'
Penalties
 4–1
Attendance: 20,021
Referee: Ismir Pekmic

Orlando City SC won the series 2–1.

Western Conference

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Los Angeles FC2–1Vancouver Whitecaps FC
 Report Gauld   90 5'
Attendance: 22,298
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Vancouver Whitecaps FC3–0Los Angeles FC
 Report
Attendance: 20,695
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Los Angeles FC1–0Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Bogusz   62' Report
Attendance: 22,220
Referee: Joe Dickerson

Los Angeles FC won the series 2–1.

LA Galaxy5–0Colorado Rapids
 Report
Attendance: 24,537
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Colorado Rapids1–4LA Galaxy
Larraz   19' Report
Attendance: 16,010
Referee: Victor Rivas

LA Galaxy won the series 2–0.

Real Salt Lake0–0Minnesota United FC
Report
Penalties
 4–5
Attendance: 19,195
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauzière
Minnesota United FC1–1Real Salt Lake
Rosales   53' Report Eneli   75'
Penalties
 3–1
Attendance: 19,912
Referee: Tori Penso

Minnesota United FC won the series 2–0.

Seattle Sounders FC0–0Houston Dynamo FC
Report
Penalties
 5–4
Attendance: 30,026
Referee: Ted Unkel

Seattle Sounders FC won the series 2–0.

Conference semifinals

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The higher-seeded team as determined by regular season ranking hosted the match.[1]

Home teamScoreAway team
Eastern Conference
Orlando City SC1–0Atlanta United FC
New York City FC0–2New York Red Bulls
Western Conference
Los Angeles FC1–2 (a.e.t.)Seattle Sounders FC
LA Galaxy6–2Minnesota United FC

Eastern Conference

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New York City FC0–2New York Red Bulls
Report
Attendance: 24,891
Referee: Allen Chapman
Orlando City SC1–0Atlanta United FC
Enrique   39' Report
Attendance: 25,055

Western Conference

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Los Angeles FC1–2 (a.e.t.)Seattle Sounders FC
Hollingshead   50' Report
Attendance: 22,301
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
LA Galaxy6–2Minnesota United FC
 Report Yeboah   6', 45 4' (pen.)
Attendance: 26,192
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza

Conference finals

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The higher-seeded team as determined by regular season ranking hosted the match.[1]

Home teamScoreAway team
Eastern Conference
Orlando City SC0–1New York Red Bulls
Western Conference
LA Galaxy1–0Seattle Sounders FC

Eastern Conference

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Orlando City SC0–1New York Red Bulls
Report Reyes   47'
Attendance: 25,046
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza

Western Conference

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LA Galaxy1–0Seattle Sounders FC
Joveljić   85' Report
Attendance: 26,327
Referee: Drew Fischer

MLS Cup 2024

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Main article: MLS Cup 2024

The highest-ranked finalist in the overall Supporters' Shield table (LA Galaxy) hosted the match.[1]

LA Galaxy2–1New York Red Bulls
 Report
Attendance: 26,812[24]
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.[25]

Top goalscorers

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Rank Player Club Goals[26]
1   Dejan Joveljić LA Galaxy 6
2   Ryan Gauld Vancouver Whitecaps FC 5
3   Joseph Paintsil LA Galaxy 4
  Riqui Puig LA Galaxy
5   Gabriel Pec LA Galaxy 3
6   Felipe Carballo New York Red Bulls 2
  Josef Martínez CF Montréal
  Jamal Thiaré Atlanta United FC
  Facundo Torres Orlando City SC
  Dante Vanzeir New York Red Bulls
  Kelvin Yeboah Minnesota United FC

Notes

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  1. ^ Due to a scheduling conflict at BC Place, the match was played at Providence Park, with the Vancouver Whitecaps serving as the home team.[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "MLS announces new playoff format for 2023 season". Major League Soccer. February 21, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "Inter Miami begin Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs path with standalone match". Major League Soccer. October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  3. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (December 7, 2024). "CHAMPIONS! LA Galaxy lift MLS Cup 2024 over New York Red Bulls". Major League Soccer. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "MLS adds best-of-3 series to expanded playoffs for 2023 season". ESPN. February 21, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  5. ^ "Atlanta United clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  6. ^ "Charlotte FC clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "FC Cincinnati clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "Columbus Crew clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "Inter Miami clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "CF Montréal clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  11. ^ "New York City FC clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  12. ^ "New York Red Bulls clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "Orlando City clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "Colorado Rapids clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 21, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  15. ^ "Houston Dynamo clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  16. ^ "LA Galaxy clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "LAFC clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  18. ^ "Minnesota United clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  19. ^ "Portland Timbers clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  20. ^ "Real Salt Lake clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 21, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Seattle Sounders clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  22. ^ "Vancouver Whitecaps clinch Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". Major League Soccer. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  23. ^ "Whitecaps FC to open 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs versus Portland Timbers". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference MVP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ "2024 MLS Cup crew confirmed" (Press release). Professional Referee Organization. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  26. ^ "MLS Player Stats". MLSsoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
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