After heavy rumours over the past few weeks, MLS confirmed today that they’ll be changing the playoff structure from the 2019 season onward, with changes intended to accommodate league growth and shorten the playoff calendar.
Starting next year, 14 (rather than 12) teams will make the playoffs, with only the top seed in each conference getting a bye through the first round. The tournament will now follow a single-elimination format throughout (rather than its current two-legged format in the conference semi-finals and finals), with the higher seed getting home field advantage.
The playoffs will now begin two weeks after Decision Day with an international break in between, which the league hopes will improve ticket sales for first-round matches.