Philadelphia Union kicks off the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday night at Subaru Park when they host New England Revolution free on MLS Season Pass. 2023 brings an all-new format in the opening round so here is what you need to know!
Who Hosts?
Comprised of a 16-team field, Round One will unfold via a home-away-home format, with the higher-seeded team enjoying hosting privileges as follows:
- Game 1: #4 Philadelphia Union host #5 New England Revolution
- Game 2: #5 New England Revolution host #4 Philadelphia Union
- Game 3 #4 Philadelphia Union host #5 New England Revolution (if necessary)
The first team to win two matches will advance to the Conference Semifinals. Four teams from each conference will move on, for a total of eight conference semifinalists.
How To Watch #PHIvNE
- Game 1:Â Saturday, Oct. 28 | 5 pm ET (Subaru Park, Apple TV - Free)
- Game 2:Â Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 7 pm ET (Gillette Stadium, MLS Season Pass/FS1/ FOX Deportes/TSN/RDS)
- Game 3 (if necessary):Â Sunday, Nov. 12 | 3 pm ET (Subaru Park, MLS Season Pass)
How does it work?
Win-only: Every Round One game will have a winner;Â no ties, no aggregate score.
PK shootout: If a Round One game is tied at the end of regulation time (90 minutes), no extra time will be played. There will immediately be a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner.
Best-of-3:Â The first team to win two matches will advance. Conversely, the loser's playoff journey will end.
What's next?
The winner of each Round One Best-of-3 series moves on to the Conference Semifinals.
This stage of the playoffs will consist of single-elimination matches hosted by the higher seed. If the score of a Conference Semifinal game is tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety. If the score is still tied at the end of the two extra time periods, teams will determine the winner via a penalty kick shootout.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
- Winner of No. 1 FC Cincinnati vs. No. 8 New York Red Bulls series VS. Winner of No. 4 Philadelphia Union vs. No. 5 New England Revolution series
- Winner of No. 2 Orlando City SC vs. No. 7 Nashville SC series VS. Winner of No. 3 Columbus Crew vs. No. 6 Atlanta United series
When is MLS Cup?
Date:Â MLS Cup presented by Audi is set for December 9 at 4 pm ET.Â
Hosting: The finalist with the highest regular-season point total hosts MLS Cup. In the event that both finalists have the same amount of regular-season points, the team with more wins – or if they're tied in that category, better goal difference – will host MLS Cup.
When is MLS Cup?
Date: MLS Cup presented by Audi is set for December 9 at 4 pm ET.
Hosting: The finalist with the highest regular-season point total hosts MLS Cup. Currently the Union have the No. 5 priority hosting MLS Cup with the only Western Conference team ahead of the Boys in Blue being St. Louis CITY SC.
