• Loading stock data...
Saturday, February 14, 2026

MLS Playoffs Format Facing Criticism From Fans, Players

  • The MLS Cup playoffs are underway with a new, expanded format this year.
  • First-round matches are being played across three-game series to the confusion of some players.
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The MLS Cup playoffs are underway without the league’s biggest star, but with a brand-new expanded — and controversial — format.

This year, 18 teams qualified for the postseason, including four wild cards that played in single-elimination games. Now, eight first-round matchups are being played over a three-game series before the remainder of the tournament features knockout-style matches.

Last year, 14 teams made the playoffs, which consisted of only single-elimination games.

But after MLS broke attendance records this season on the back of Lionel Messi’s arrival to the league, its postseason format is coming under scrutiny from players and fans alike — a setback amid otherwise overwhelmingly positive momentum.

LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau questioned the need for lengthy series in soccer. “Home-away games, I totally understand it. We’ve seen it for years,” he said. “But to start to add on and add on and add on, does that really translate to our sport? I don’t know.”

Both LAFC and the Philadelphia Union had thousands of empty seats during their opening first-round matches, per the Los Angeles Times.

Luciano Acosta, captain of FC Cincinnati, which led the MLS season in points, thinks the format doesn’t reward regular-season play enough. “It doesn’t give the biggest advantage to the team that won the Supporters’ Shield, but these are the rules,” Acosta said

The expanded first round does give Apple, which is paying $250 million a year for exclusive global broadcast rights, more game inventory. However, some critics have wondered if that actually dilutes the product with less exciting play on the pitch.

First-round matches will continue until Nov. 12 if necessary, while the conference semifinals will begin on Nov. 25 after an international break.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Jaelin Kauf of the United States during freestyle skiing women's moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park

The Surprise Hit of the Winter Olympics: First-Person Drone Views

Tiny drone cameras have reshaped the Olympics viewing experience.
Feb 11, 2026; Milan, Italy; Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States skate during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Olympic Figure Skaters Pay Out of Pocket for $9,000 Costumes

For four minutes on ice, stakes are high—and prices even higher.

Unrivaled Leans In to NBA Arenas After Making Millions in Philly

The second-year league is thriving on the road while struggling on TV.

‘Have to Pinch Myself’: Chris Berman Marvels at ESPN Getting Super Bowl

Expect Berman to be pivotal in ESPN’s 2027 Super Bowl broadcast.

Featured Today

Epstein Emails Show His F1 Ties Ran Deep

The sex trafficker’s circles included many of the biggest names in F1.
February 6, 2026

Milan’s Olympic Village Is Built for Performance—and Partying

Making Milan’s Olympic Village was a five-year sprint.
February 5, 2026

Welcome to the Prediction-Market Super Bowl

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being traded across many platforms.
Feb 1, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots players arrive prior to Super Bowl LX at San Jose Mineta International Airport.
February 3, 2026

Private Equity Has Reached the Super Bowl

The Patriots are one of four NFL teams with PE investment.

PGA Tour Schedule Revamp Includes Push Into Major U.S. Cities

Some of those plans could be revealed at next month’s Players Championship.
February 13, 2026

Reds Illustrate the Small-Market Squeeze in MLB’s Revenue Divide

The small-market club stands as a microcosm of baseball’s growing fiscal divide.
February 13, 2026

NFL Wins Ruling to End Public Release of Team Report Cards

Player rankings of team facilities and personnel will no longer be made public.
Sponsored

Olympic Hockey Betting Preview: USA and Canada Take Center Ice

Olympic hockey betting odds shift as USA and Canada dominate early action, per BetMGM’s 2026 Winter Games preview.
February 12, 2026

Manfred: MLB Will ‘Consider Being in Business With Prediction Markets’

The league is actively studying the fast-growing business.
Sep 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) greets Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) before the game against the Cincinnati Reds during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium.
February 12, 2026

Dodgers $401M Payroll Adds Tension Ahead of MLB Labor Talks

Labor talks are expected to begin in earnest this spring.
February 10, 2026

Grand Slam Track’s Bankruptcy Plan: Paying Athletes and Stiffing Vendors

The plan heavily favors athletes over vendors, but it isn’t final.
February 10, 2026

PWHL Still Laser-Focused on Next Round of Expansion

The PWHL is leaning on its Takeover Tour to inform next moves.