2025 MLS Cup playoffs
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:09:11 PM Wikipedia source
The 2025 MLS Cup playoffs (branded as the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for sponsorship reasons) was the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top soccer league in the United States and Canada. It was the 30th edition of the MLS Cup playoffs, following the conclusion of the 2025 season. The playoffs began on October 22 and concluded with MLS Cup 2025 on December 6. Both of the previous year's MLS Cup finalists, champions LA Galaxy and runners-up New York Red Bulls, failed to qualify, the latter for the first time since 2009. San Diego FC qualified for the playoffs as Western Conference champions in their inaugural MLS season, but were eliminated in the conference finals by Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Philadelphia Union entered as Supporters' Shield and Eastern Conference champions, but were eliminated in the conference semifinals by New York City FC. Inter Miami CF won their first MLS Cup title after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3–1.
Infobox
Country
United States Canada
Dates
October 22 – December 6
Teams
18
Champions
Inter Miami CF (1st title)
Runners-up
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Semifinalists
New York City FC San Diego FC
Matches played
30
Goals scored
99 (3 per match)
Attendance
732,916 (24,431 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)
Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami CF) 9 goals
Tables
MLS Eastern Conference table (2025)
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Philadelphia Union
Pld
34
Pts
66
2
2
Pos
2
Team
FC Cincinnati
Pld
34
Pts
65
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Inter Miami CF (C)
Pld
34
Pts
65
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Charlotte FC
Pld
34
Pts
59
5
5
Pos
5
Team
New York City FC
Pld
34
Pts
56
6
6
Pos
6
Team
Nashville SC
Pld
34
Pts
54
7
7
Pos
7
Team
Columbus Crew
Pld
34
Pts
54
8
8
Pos
8
Team
Chicago Fire FC
Pld
34
Pts
53
9
9
Pos
9
Team
Orlando City SC
Pld
34
Pts
53
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts |
| 1 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 66 |
| 2 | FC Cincinnati | 34 | 65 |
| 3 | Inter Miami CF (C) | 34 | 65 |
| 4 | Charlotte FC | 34 | 59 |
| 5 | New York City FC | 34 | 56 |
| 6 | Nashville SC | 34 | 54 |
| 7 | Columbus Crew | 34 | 54 |
| 8 | Chicago Fire FC | 34 | 53 |
| 9 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 53 |
MLS Western Conference table (2025)
1
1
Pos
1
Team
San Diego FC
Pld
34
Pts
63
2
2
Pos
2
Team
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (C)
Pld
34
Pts
63
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Los Angeles FC
Pld
34
Pts
60
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Minnesota United FC
Pld
34
Pts
58
5
5
Pos
5
Team
Seattle Sounders FC
Pld
34
Pts
55
6
6
Pos
6
Team
Austin FC
Pld
34
Pts
47
7
7
Pos
7
Team
FC Dallas
Pld
34
Pts
44
8
8
Pos
8
Team
Portland Timbers
Pld
34
Pts
44
9
9
Pos
9
Team
Real Salt Lake
Pld
34
Pts
41
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts |
| 1 | San Diego FC | 34 | 63 |
| 2 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC (C) | 34 | 63 |
| 3 | Los Angeles FC | 34 | 60 |
| 4 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 58 |
| 5 | Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 55 |
| 6 | Austin FC | 34 | 47 |
| 7 | FC Dallas | 34 | 44 |
| 8 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 44 |
| 9 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 41 |
· Wild card round
Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference
Home team
Eastern Conference
Chicago Fire FC
Chicago Fire FC
Home team
Chicago Fire FC
Score
3–1
Away team
Orlando City SC
Western Conference
Western Conference
Home team
Western Conference
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Home team
Portland Timbers
Score
3–1
Away team
Real Salt Lake
| Home team | Score | Away team |
| Eastern Conference | ||
| Chicago Fire FC | 3–1 | Orlando City SC |
| Western Conference | ||
| Portland Timbers | 3–1 | Real Salt Lake |
· Round one
Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference
Team 1
Eastern Conference
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Team 1
Philadelphia Union
Series
2–0
Team 2
Chicago Fire FC
Game 1
2–2 (4–2 p)
Game 2
3–0
Game 3
—
FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati
Team 1
FC Cincinnati
Series
2–1
Team 2
Columbus Crew
Game 1
1–0
Game 2
0–4
Game 3
2–1
Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami CF
Team 1
Inter Miami CF
Series
2–1
Team 2
Nashville SC
Game 1
3–1
Game 2
1–2
Game 3
4–0
Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC
Team 1
Charlotte FC
Series
1–2
Team 2
New York City FC
Game 1
0–1
Game 2
0–0 (7–6 p)
Game 3
1–3
Western Conference
Western Conference
Team 1
Western Conference
San Diego FC
San Diego FC
Team 1
San Diego FC
Series
2–1
Team 2
Portland Timbers
Game 1
2–1
Game 2
2–2 (2–3 p)
Game 3
4–0
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Team 1
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Series
2–0
Team 2
FC Dallas
Game 1
3–0
Game 2
2–2 (4–2 p)
Game 3
—
Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC
Team 1
Los Angeles FC
Series
2–0
Team 2
Austin FC
Game 1
2–1
Game 2
4–1
Game 3
—
Minnesota United FC
Minnesota United FC
Team 1
Minnesota United FC
Series
2–1
Team 2
Seattle Sounders FC
Game 1
0–0 (3–2 p)
Game 2
2–4
Game 3
3–3 (7–6 p)
| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
| Eastern Conference | |||||
| Philadelphia Union | 2–0 | Chicago Fire FC | 2–2 (4–2 p) | 3–0 | — |
| FC Cincinnati | 2–1 | Columbus Crew | 1–0 | 0–4 | 2–1 |
| Inter Miami CF | 2–1 | Nashville SC | 3–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 |
| Charlotte FC | 1–2 | New York City FC | 0–1 | 0–0 (7–6 p) | 1–3 |
| Western Conference | |||||
| San Diego FC | 2–1 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | 2–2 (2–3 p) | 4–0 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2–0 | FC Dallas | 3–0 | 2–2 (4–2 p) | — |
| Los Angeles FC | 2–0 | Austin FC | 2–1 | 4–1 | — |
| Minnesota United FC | 2–1 | Seattle Sounders FC | 0–0 (3–2 p) | 2–4 | 3–3 (7–6 p) |
· Conference semifinals
Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference
Home team
Eastern Conference
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Home team
Philadelphia Union
Score
0–1
Away team
New York City FC
FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati
Home team
FC Cincinnati
Score
0–4
Away team
Inter Miami CF
Western Conference
Western Conference
Home team
Western Conference
San Diego FC
San Diego FC
Home team
San Diego FC
Score
1–0
Away team
Minnesota United FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Home team
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Score
2–2 (a .) (4–3 p)
Away team
Los Angeles FC
| Home team | Score | Away team |
| Eastern Conference | ||
| Philadelphia Union | 0–1 | New York City FC |
| FC Cincinnati | 0–4 | Inter Miami CF |
| Western Conference | ||
| San Diego FC | 1–0 | Minnesota United FC |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2–2 (a .) (4–3 p) | Los Angeles FC |
References
- MLSsoccerhttps://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-announces-new-playoff-format-for-2023-season
- Fox Sportshttps://www.foxsports.com/stories/mls/2025-mls-playoff-bracket-schedule-scores
- ESPNhttps://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37636533/mls-adds-best-3-series-expanded-playoffs-2023-season
- MLSsoccerhttps://www.mlssoccer.com/news/audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-key-dates-schedule-information
- "Charlotte FC clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/charlotte-fc-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Chicago Fire FC clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/chicago-fire-fc-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "FC Cincinnati clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/fc-cincinnati-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Columbus Crew clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/columbus-crew-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Inter Miami clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-miami-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Nashville SC clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/nashville-sc-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "New York City FC clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/new-york-city-fc-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Orlando City clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/orlando-city-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Philadelphia Union clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/philadelphia-union-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Austin FC clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/austin-fc-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "FC Dallas clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/playoffs/2025/news/fc-dallas-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "LAFC clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/lafc-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Minnesota United FC clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/minnesota-united-fc-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Portland Timbers clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/portland-timbers-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "Real Salt Lake clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.mlssoccer.com/playoffs/2025/news/real-salt-lake-clinch-audi-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-spot
- "San Diego FC clinch Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot"https://www.sandiegofc.com/news/san-diego-fc-clinches-2025-audi-mls-cup-playoffs-berth-in-historic-inaugural-season