MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket: Conference Semifinals, All Possible Conference Finals Matchups

The fight for the 2025 MLS Cup is heating up.

How the MLS Cup playoffs bracket looks after the conference semifinals. / MLS Soccer

The 2025 MLS Cup playoffs bracket is taking shape ahead of the conference finals.

After a thrilling regular season came to an end on Decision Day, the road to the MLS Cup final officially began. Portland Timbers and Chicago Fire then won their respective Wild Card matches to join the remaining 14 clubs all hoping to claim MLS glory.

Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union unsurprisingly got past Chicago, becoming the first team to secure a place in their conference semifinals. Vancouver Whitecaps then followed, winning their series 2–0 over FC Dallas.

A series of thrilling Game 3 showdowns then decided the remaining clubs still alive in the postseason. NYCFC and Inter Miami dominated Charlotte and Nashville respectively to advance, while FC Cincinnati secured a narrow win over Columbus Crew. Minnesota United needed penalties to get by Seattle Sounders.

The grand finale came at Snapdragon Stadium, where San Diego thrashed Portland Timbers 4–0 to become the final team through to the next round.

Vancouver Whitecaps then became the first team to advance to a conference final with a thrilling, penalty kick victory over LAFC on Saturday night. Inter Miami soon followed with a dominant 4–0 victory against FC Cincinnati in which Lionel Messi played a part in all four goals.

Just hours later, it was NYCFC that secured their place in the Eastern Conference final with a 1–0 victory over Philadelphia Union. The following day, San Diego FC became the last team to advance thanks to a lone goal from Anders Dreyer.

Here’s a detailed look at the MLS Cup playoffs bracket at this stage of the competition, important dates and potential conference finals matchups.

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MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket: Conference Semifinals

The final four teams are confirmed. / MLS Soccer

Western Conference Side

• San Diego FC 1–0 Minnesota United
• Vancouver Whitecaps 2–2 (4–3 pens) LAFC

Eastern Conference Side

• Philadelphia Union 0–1 NYCFC
• FC Cincinnati 0–4 Inter Miami

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MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket: All Possible Conference Finals Matchups

Western Conference Finals

Vancouver Whitecaps got the better of FC Dallas in Round One. / Rich Lam/Getty Images

• San Diego FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

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Eastern Conference Finals

Philadelphia Union are one of the favorites to win the MLS Cup. / Zoe Davis/Getty Images

• Inter Miami vs. NYCFC

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MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule

The road to the 2025 MLS Cup final is taking shape. / Zach Sanderson/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Conference Semifinals

Following the conclusion of Round One, the MLS Cup playoffs conference semifinals are set to unfold on the following dates:

Game	Date	Kick-Off Time
Vancouver Whitecaps 2–2 (4–3 pens) LAFC	Saturday, Nov. 22	9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT
FC Cincinnati 0–4 Inter Miami	Sunday, Nov. 23	5:00 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT
Philadelphia Union 0–1 NYCFC	Sunday, Nov. 23	7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
San Diego 1–0 Minnesota United	Monday, Nov. 24	10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT

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Conference Finals

MLS confirmed the full schedule for the conference finals:

Game	Date	Kick-Off Time
Inter Miami vs. NYCFC	Saturday, Nov. 29	6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT
San Diego vs. Vancouver Whitecaps	Saturday, Nov. 29	9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT

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MLS Cup Final

The MLS Cup final comes on the first weekend in December. / Harry How/Getty Images

The MLS Cup final is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, when the new kings of MLS will be crowned to close out the 2025 season.

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