The 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs have reached their final four as the current Supporters' Shield winners Los Angeles FC and MLS Cup holders New York City FC are joined in the final four by the Philadelphia Union and Austin FC. Both LAFC and the Union were able to advance with only one victory by virtue of a first-round bye while it has taken two for Austin and NYCFC to reach this stage. Of the teams remaining, all of them except NYCFC have a chance to host MLS Cup which is decided by how many points a team gained during the regular season.
LAFC will host if they defeat Austin FC no matter the opposition but an Austin win would open the door for the Union to host the final if they defeat NYCFC. If NYCFC and Austin are the final teams remaining, Austin will host the cup. NYCFC come into their match against the league's best defense scoring the most goals in playoffs but the Union are undefeated at home as they'll look to overcome the New York side after falling to them in the Eastern Conference championship last season. LAFC are pitted against the only team that gave them significant trouble during the season as two of their losses came at the hands of the Texas side.
Let's take a look at who made the playoffs and the upcoming schedule. The entire playoff bracket can be viewed here.
Final playoff participants
Eastern Conference
1) Philadelphia Union, 67 points (first-round bye)
2) CF Montreal, 65 points
3) New York City FC, 55 points
4) New York Red Bulls, 53 points
5) FC Cincinnati, 49 points
6) Inter Miami, 48 points
7) Orlando City SC, 48 points
Western Conference
1) Los Angeles FC, 67 points (first-round bye)
2) Austin FC, 56 points
3) FC Dallas, 53 points
4) LA Galaxy, 50 points
5) Nashville SC, 50 points
6) Minnesota United FC, 48 points
7) Real Salt Lake, 47 points
Schedule and how to watch
(All times Eastern)
Eastern Conference
Oct. 15 -- (4) New York Red Bulls 1, (5) FC Cincinnati 2
Oct. 16 -- (2) CF Montreal 2, (7) Orlando City SC 0
Oct. 17 -- (3) New York City FC 3, (6) Inter Miami CF 0
Western Conference
Oct. 15 -- (4) LA Galaxy 1, (5) Nashville SC 0
Oct. 16 -- (2) Austin FC 2, (7) Real Salt Lake 2 (Austin won, 3-1 on penalties)
Oct. 17 -- (3) FC Dallas 1, (6) Minnesota United FC 1 (Dallas won, 5-4 on penalties)
Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference
Oct. 20 -- (1) Philadelphia Union 1, (5) FC Cincinnati 0
Oct. 23 -- (3) New York City FC 3, (2) CF Montreal 1
Western Conference
Oct. 20 -- (1) LAFC 3, LA Galaxy 2
Oct. 23 -- (3) FC Dallas 1, (2) Austin FC 2
Conference Finals
Oct. 30 -- (1) LAFC vs. (2) Austin FC, 3 p.m., ABC and fuboTV
Oct. 30 -- (1) Philadelphia Union vs. (3) NYCFC, 8 p.m., FS1 and fuboTV
2022 MLS Cup
Nov. 5 -- TBD, 4 p.m., Fox and fuboTV
