NY Times · Oct 18, 2019
In New M.L.S. Playoff Format, Every Game Is a Must-Win
Steve Luciano/Associated Press
There has been some tinkering with the Major League Soccer playoffs, which start with six matches this weekend, and the changes could have a big effect on who lifts the M.L.S. Cup in early November.
The most significant change, as part of an accelerated postseason schedule, is the elimination of the two-legged series for the conference semifinals and finals. Every round will now be single elimination. That means that a dominant regular-season team like Los Angeles F.C., which set a season points record this year, or New York City F.C., which claimed the East’s first-round bye, could have one bad game and find its season over in just 90 minutes.