It’s Playoff time, Kansas City! Sporting KC has advanced to the Conference Semifinals of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs! Sporting will face the Houston Dynamo on November 26 at 6 pm CT at Shell Energy Stadium. The Conference Semifinals are single-elimination matches. Unlike Wild Card or Round One of Playoffs, if the match ends at a draw, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played. If the score remains at a draw following the two 15-minute extra time periods, the match will proceed to a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner.
The Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs will consist of the following structure: Wild Card matches, Round One, Conference Semi-Finals, Conference Finals, and the MLS Cup.
Wild Card:
The Wild Card match is a single-game elimination match. The teams that end the regular MLS season in the 8th seed will host the 9th seed. There is no extra time in the Wild Card matches, if the score is at a draw following regulation time, the match will proceed to a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner.
Round One:
Round one matches consist of a best-of-three series. Where the higher seeding team will have a home-team advantage. The series will be hosted in a home-away-home format. Similar to the Wild Card matches, there will be no draws or aggregate scoring. If the match is at a draw at the end of regulation, the match will proceed to a penalty kick shootout. The team that wins two matches will advance. Only four teams will advance to the Conference Semi-Finals.
Conference Semi-Finals:
The Conference Semi-Finals are single-elimination matches. Unlike Wild Card or Round One of Playoffs, if the match ends at a draw, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played. If the score remains at a draw following the two 15-minute extra time periods, the match will proceed to a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner.
Western Conference Semifinals:
Winner of No. 1 vs. No. 8/9 series vs. winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 series
Winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 series vs. winner of No. 2 vs. No. 7 series
Conference Finals:
The Conference Finals are a single-elimination match hosted by the higher seed. Like the Conference Semi-Finals, if the match ends at a draw, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played. If the score remains at a draw following the two 15-minute extra time periods, the match will proceed to a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner. The winner will advance to the MLS Cup Final.
MLS Cup Final:
The MLS Cup Final will be hosted on December 9 but the higher seed team. If the match ends in a draw, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played. If the score remains at a draw following the two 15-minute extra time periods, the match will proceed to a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner.
