The MLS Cup playoffs could look a lot different the next time around. According a report in The Athletic, the league is seriously considering a move to a single-elimination tournament that effectively runs between the October and November international breaks and expands the post season to include seven teams from each conference. The changes could be made as soon as the December Board of Governors meeting and be implemented for the 2019 season.
The main benefit of these changes would be to allow the playoffs to run without significant interruption. For the last several years, the playoffs have required a break midway through in order to accommodate the November international date.