More teams, tighter schedule in MLS playoff overhaul

LOS ANGELES: Major League Soccer on Monday announced a new-look for its playoff competition, increasing the number of teams in the postseason to 14 while abandoning two legged home-and-away ties.

An announcement from league chiefs said the postseason in 2019 would include 14 teams — the top seven finishers in the Western and Eastern Conferences — instead of the current 12 teams.

The winners of each conference in the regular season would be given a bye straight into the conference semi- finals, the de facto quarter- finals of the MLS Cup.

Another key move sees the introduction of single elimination knockout games, with the higher seed hosting every match.

Scrapping the home- andaway format also means the playoffs can be completed more quickly, without interruption from the October and November international breaks.

This year’s playoffs for the MLS Cup began on October 31 and were completed with Atlanta United’s victory over the Portland Timbers on December 8.

However next year the post season will kick off on October 19 with the MLS Cup championship game taking place taking place just over three weeks later on November 10.

The earlier date for the MLS Cup final also increases the chances of better weather for the showpiece finale.

The 2019 MLS meanwhile will also kick off earlier in the year, getting under way on March 2.