MLS Cup Playoffs Heat Up: Discover Which Teams Have Secured Their Spot and Who's Fighting for Glory on Matchday 35!
The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs are rapidly approaching, with Decision Day set for Oct. 18.
With under a month remaining, clubs have between four and seven matches left to play, with several teams facing compressed schedules due to postponed fixtures from earlier in the campaign during the final stretch.
This hasn't prevented multiple teams from securing their postseason berths already, and additional clubs could qualify as Matchday 35 takes the spotlight with 13 fixtures on Sept. 20 and two contests on Sept. 21.
The leading nine clubs in each conference earn playoff qualification, with the No. 8 seed facing the No. 9 in a single-elimination Wild Card match. The victor of that contest advances to meet the No. 1 seed in the opening round best-of-three series, while the remaining bracket is determined by seeding.
Which Eastern Conference Clubs Have Already Secured MLS Cup Playoff Berths?
1. Philadelphia Union (57 points, 4 matches remaining)—The Union suffered a 7–0 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC last weekend, but maintain their position atop the Eastern Conference and Supporters' Shield standings with 57 points.
2. FC Cincinnati (55 points, 4 matches remaining)—FC Cincinnati secured their playoff berth last weekend with a 2–1 victory over Nashville SC, courtesy of a 90+8 minute winner from MLS MVP candidate Evander.
3. Charlotte FC (53 points, 4 matches remaining)—Idan Toklomati guided Charlotte to a 3–0 triumph over Inter Miami last weekend, securing their MLS Cup Playoff berth with a league-record ninth consecutive victory.
Which Eastern Conference Clubs Can Secure Berths This Weekend?
Nashville SC: 4th in Eastern Conference
New York City FC: 5th in Eastern Conference
Inter Miami: 6th in Eastern Conference
Columbus Crew: 7th in Eastern Conference
Orlando City SC: 8th in Eastern Conference
Which Western Conference Clubs Have Already Secured MLS Cup Playoff Berths?
1. San Diego FC (56 points, 4 matches remaining)—San Diego FC could eclipse LAFC's 57 points from 2018 to establish themselves as the finest expansion club in history when they meet Atlanta United on Saturday.
2. Minnesota United (54 points, 4 matches remaining)—Following their elimination from the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, Minnesota United remain in contention for both the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup.
3. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (52 points, 6 matches remaining)—Thomas Müller netted a hat-trick on his 36th birthday to help the Whitecaps secure a playoff berth with a 7–0 victory over the Philadelphia Union last weekend.
Which Western Conference Clubs Can Secure Berths This Weekend?
