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MLS Playoffs: Here's how they will be played, with Cincinnati FC as top favorite for the title

The 2023 MLS regular season has come to an end and 18 clubs are contending for the title

FC Cincinnati celebrate
FC Cincinnati celebrate@fccincinnati

Without the presence of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, Major League Soccer (MLS) prepares for its playoffs to find the champion of the 2023 season.

This year, Cincinnati and St. Louis City are the main contenders to conquer the United States' soccer league, in which Los Angeles FC are the current champions.

Cincinnati FC excelled in the MLS regular season by winning the regular season title with an impressive total of 69 points. They also won the Supporters Shield, awarded to the team with the best record in the league, and won the Eastern Conference title.

Messi says goodbye with defeat I Charlotte FC 1-0 Inter MiamiI Highlights and goals I MLS (MatchdayMLS / Apple TV

The road to the MLS title is now open for Cincinnati FC, and fans are anxious to see if this dominant team can keep pace in the playoffs.

They now await an opponent, who will emerge from the matchup between the New York Red Bulls and Charlotte FC, who will play in the wild card game.

Cincinnati, Orlando City, Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, Atlanta United and Nashville SC qualified on the last day of the regular season, and six clubs in the East were playing for their ticket to the playoffs, with the Red Bulls via with a last-minute goal, and Charlotte being the ones to get in.

In the West, rookie franchise St. Louis City finished on top, ahead of reigning champion LAFC, Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps, all of whom qualified; FC Dallas earned the last direct ticket, while Sporting Kansas City and San Jose Earthquakes will play the wildcard match.

New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte FC and Sporting Kansas City vs San Jose Earthquakes are the Wednesday games to confirm the teams that will remain alive in the tournament and will seek to eliminate the leaders of each conference.

This is how the MLS playoffs will be played:

Playoffs in the East

(1) Cincinnati FC vs. New York Red Bulls/Charlotte FC (winner of wild card match)

(2) Orlando City vs. Nashville SC (7)

(3) Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United (6)

(4) Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution (5).

Playoffs in the West

(1) St. Louis City vs. Sporting Kansas City/San Jose Earthquakes (winner of the wild card)

(2) Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas (7)

(3) LAFC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (6)

(4) Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake (5)

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