Major League Soccer announced the schedule for the 2021 MLS Cup playoffs on Thursday. The postseason is slated to begin after the completion of the November FIFA international window with the first round kicking off on Nov. 20. The remaining matches in the playoffs will take place throughout November and December with the 2021 MLS Cup Final set to be held on Dec. 11.
The MLS Cup playoffs will consist of seven teams from each conference, reduced from the expanded format in 2020 where 10 teams from the East and eight from the West. The teams that finish between second and seventh place will play in the first round with two matches on Nov.