The MLS Cup Semifinals fixtures are ready with LAFC facing the Seattle Sounders, the Houston Dynamo battling Sporting KC in the Western Conference, while the Eastern Conference is represented by Orlando SC vs Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union facing FC Cincinnati.
All teams will have a week to prepare during the FIFA break and, will resume the tournament at the end of this month.
MLS determined that the two matches to define the finalists in the East will be played on Saturday, November 25, while the playoffs in the West will be held one day later. From this round on, the competition format establishes that the games will be single elimination matches, that is to say, in the event of a tie, they will be decided in overtime and, if necessary, penalty kicks.
When are the semifinals taking place?
The four winners will play in the Conference Finals on December 2 and 3, while the MLS Cup match is scheduled for Saturday, December 9.
When are the MLS Cup Eastern Conference semifinals?
- Orlando City SC (No. 2) vs Columbus Crew (No. 3)
- Saturday, Nov. 25 | 5:30 pm ET
- Exploria Stadium | Orlando, Florid
a
Orlando has just swept Nashville in its first round with two narrow victories. While the Columbus Crew outlasted Atlanta in three duels, the third was clearly defined by three goals in the first 33 minutes of the final match for a 4-2 final score.
- FC Cincinnati (No. 1) vs Philadelphia Union (No. 4)
- Saturday, November 25 | 8 pm ET
- TQL Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
Eastern favorites FC Cincinnati, swept the New York Red Bulls and, if crowned, would become the ninth Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup winner in the same season. Luciano Acosta is the favorite to win the Landon Donovan MLS 2023 Most Valuable Player award. The Union are the defending East champions and are coming off a two-game sweep of the New England Revolution in the First Round.
In a series between Mexicans, Hector Herrera’s Dynamo came into this round as US Open Cup champions at the end of September, in a year where they have had a great rebound after a disastrous 2022. However, they struggled to overcome Real Salt Lake in three games and the final game went to penalties.
While Alan Pulido’s Sporting KC, is the surprise of the moment, knocking out St. Louis City SC, who in their MLS debut year were the best team in the West, in two games.
- Seattle Sounders FC (2) vs. LAFC (3)
Seattle clinched its series against FC Dallas in three games, even though the Texans came in heavily depleted against one of the favorites in the West. They will now face the defending champion in a Western Conference classic, which in turn was resolved in two games against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Black & Gold also have striker Dnis Bouanga, winner of the Golden Boot as the season’s top scorer and who scored three goals in the first round of the playoffs.
Where to watch the MLS Conference Semifinals?
All matches will be available through Apple TV – MLS Season Pass, while the match between Houston and Kansas City will also be broadcast on FS1, FOX Sports