With the Union's Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs contest against New York Red Bulls at Talen Energy Stadium just days away, the match marks the debut of a new postseason format and with it comes some new things you'll need to know.
First off, there are no longer two-leg series like in years past, which will be replaced by a single-elimination knockout tournament. Win and you're through. Lose and you go home. That much is simple.
It also means a new way of settling tiebreakers. Under the old format, away goals were the first tiebreaker in all two-legged playoff series leading up to MLS Cup. With the new single-elimination format away goals are no longer a factor. In the event that a game ends in a draw, here's what happens next:
- If the match is tied through 90 minutes of regulation, the teams will play two 15-minute extra time periods.
- If the match is still tied after extra time, it will head to penalties, where each team will have five attempts from the spot to decide a winner.
- If the shootout is still tied after five kicks, it will continue into sudden death kicks until a winner is determined.
