It’s finally time. The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs begin on Friday night and are set to be one of the most intriguing in the league’s 30-year history, with superstars like never before, key retirements on the horizon and incredible parity.
With the Wild Card rounds all wrapped up with Chicago Fire FC and the Portland Timbers advancing, the entire 16-team bracket is locked in for the path towards MLS Cup on Dec. 6, where the highest remaining seed will host it.
The MLS Cup Playoffs begin with the first round best-of-three series, with Games 1 and 3 hosted by the higher-seeded team. The following rounds of the Conference semifinals, Conference Finals and MLS Cup are all one-game rounds.
Here’s how predicts round one of the postseason will go in the Eastern Conference.






