MLS Cup Playoffs 2022: Live stream, game times and dates, how to watch

The 2022 Major League Soccer playoffs are taking place earlier than usual this year in order to be completed with time to spare before the start of the World Cup in Qatar.

Los Angeles FC, winners of the Supporters’ Shield, have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs should they advance. The Philadelphia Union secured the Eastern Conference’s top seed on the league’s Decision Day. The defending MLS Cup champions, New York City FC, are the third seed in the Eastern Conference. 

Of the 14 teams in the playoff field, only three have ever won an MLS Cup (New York City FC, Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake); just five have appeared in the MLS Cup final.

The first round of the playoffs kick off Saturday and continue through Monday. The 27th edition of MLS Cup is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5.

MORE:Breaking down first-round MLS playoff matchups

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How many teams make it to the MLS playoffs?

A total of 14 teams reach the MLS postseason, with the top seven finishers from the Eastern and Western Conferences qualifying for the playoffs. The top seeds in each conference have a first-round bye.

Which teams made the 2022 MLS playoffs? 

EASTERN CONFERENCE 

1. Philadelphia Union
2. CF Montréal
3. New York City FC
4. New York Red Bulls
5. FC Cincinnati
6. Inter Miami CF
7. Orlando City SC

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Los Angeles FC
2. Austin FC
3. FC Dallas
4. Los Angeles Galaxy
5. Nashville SC
6. Minnesota United
7. Real Salt Lake

How can I watch MLS playoff games online via live stream?

Live streams for ABC/ESPN games available on Watch ESPN; FOX games on FOX Sports Live. Games also available to be live streamed on fuboTV.

What is the 2022 MLS playoff schedule?

ROUND 1

• Saturday, Oct. 15: New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati, 12 p.m. ET (Univision)
• Saturday, Oct. 15: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Nashville SC, 3 p.m. ET (Univision)
• Sunday, Oct. 16: Austin FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Sunday, Oct. 16: CF Montréal vs. Orlando City, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Monday, Oct. 17: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
• Monday, Oct. 17: FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United, 9:30 p.m. ET (FS1)

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

• Thursday, Oct. 20: Philadelphia Union vs. , NYRB/FC Cincinnati winner, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
• Thursday, Oct. 20: Los Angeles FC vs. LA Galaxy/Nashville SC winner, 10 p.m. ET (FS1)
• Sunday, Oct. 23: CF Montréal/Orlando City winner vs. New York City FC/Inter Miami winner, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Sunday, Oct. 23: Austin FC/Real Salt Lake winner vs. FC Dallas/Minnesota United winner, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

CONFERENCE FINALS

• Sunday, Oct. 30: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Sunday, Oct. 30: 8 p.m. ET (FS1)

MLS CUP

• Saturday, Nov. 5: Eastern Conference winner vs. Western Conference winner, 4 p.m. ET (FOX and UniMás)

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