The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs are here, and Lionel Messi is red hot as Inter Miami enters the postseason in search of their first MLS Cup.
MORE — Messi scores hat trick to secure MLS Golden Boot
The Herons finished just shy of the Supporters’ Shield, missing out on the top points total by a single point, as Messi rang up a league-best 29 goals and second-best 16 assists despite playing in just 28 league games.
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Here’s how the playoffs work and who Messi’s Miami face next as the roads to the MLS Cup Final go through Philadelphia and San Diego.
2025 MLS Cup Playoffs format explained
Nine teams from each conference make the MLS Cup Playoffs, and the top four seeds in each conference get the best situations.
There are single-elimination wild card matches between each conference’s eight and nine seeds, with each winner advancing to play the No. 1 seed in their respective conference.
That first round sees eight total “best-of-three” series: 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5 in each conference. The higher seed are home for the first and — if necessary — third games of the series.
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The winners advance to the conference semifinals, with that round joining the conference final and MLS Cup Final as single-elimination matches at the home of the higher seed.
When is MLS Cup 2025?
The match is set for December 6, 2025 at the higher-ranked team from the Eastern or Western Confernce.
2025 MLS Cup Playoffs — Schedule, scores
Wild card round
October 22, 2025
Chicago Fire 3-1 Orlando City SC
Portland Timbers 3-1 Real Salt Lake
Round one series, schedule, scores (best of three)
*if necessary
Eastern Conference
Philadelphia Union (1) vs Chicago Fire (8)
Game 1: Oct. 26 at Philadelphia — Union 2-2 (4-2 pens) Chicago
Game 2: Saturday, November 1 at Chicago
Game 3: Saturday, November 8 at Philadelphia*
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FC Cincinnati (2) vs Columbus Crew (7)
Game 1: Oct. 27 at Cincinnati — Cincinnati 1-0 Columbus
Game 2: Sunday, November 2 at Columbus
Game 3: Saturday, November 8 at Cincinnati*
Inter Miami (3) vs Nashville SC (6)
Game 1: Oct. 24 at Miami — Inter Miami 3-1 Nashville
Game 2: Saturday, November 1 at Nashville
Game 3: Saturday, November 8 at Miami*
Charlotte FC (4) vs New York City FC (5)
Game 1: Oct. 28 at Charlotte — Charlotte 0-1 NYCFC
Game 2: Saturday, November 1 at New York City
Game 3: Friday, November 7 vs Charlotte*
Western Conference
San Diego FC (1) vs Portland Timbers (8)
Game 1: Oct. 26 at San Diego — San Diego 2-1 Portland
Game 2: Saturday, November 1 at Portland
Game 3:…