2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs Continue This Weekend with Second Round
Philadelphia Union II and Chicago Fire FC II to Host in Eastern Conference, North Texas SC and St Louis CITY2 to Host in Western Conference
MLS NEXT Pro announced today the matchups and schedule for the Conference Semifinals round of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, which will take place Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27. The pairings were determined Tuesday by MLS NEXT Pro’s “Pick-Your-Opponent” playoff format, which allowed the highest remaining seed in each conference to select its opponent for the second round. No. 1 seed overall North Texas SC and No. 2 in the East Philadelphia Union II both opted for the lowest seeds available when making their choices.
Check out the recap video below.
The Conference Semifinals schedule follows (all matches broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV):
Eastern Conference
Saturday, October 26
Philadelphia Union II (No. 2) vs. Crown Legacy FC (No. 8) – Subaru Park (5:00 p.m. ET)
Sunday, October 27
Chicago Fire FC II (No. 4) vs. Columbus Crew 2 (No. 7) – SeatGeek Stadium (2:00 p.m. ET)
Western Conference
Saturday, October 26
North Texas SC (No. 1) vs. Tacoma Defiance (No. 4) – Choctaw Stadium (8:30 p.m. ET)
Sunday, October 27
St Louis CITY2 (No. 2) vs. The Town FC (No. 3) – CITYPARK (5:00 p.m. ET)
Semifinals Matchups
No. 4 Tacoma Defiance’s high-powered offense has generated 57 goals in 2024 and will face a stern test against No. 1 seed North Texas SC and this season’s MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year Michael Collodi. In his first season as a pro, Collodi led the League in wins (13), tied for clean sheets (6) and ranked second in save percentage (73.1%).
No. 2 St Louis CITY2 will be looking for revenge when the team hosts No. 3 The Town FC in a rematch of the 2023 Conference Quarterfinals. The Town FC, then playing under the Earthquakes II identity, upset their hosts with a 2-0 victory in last year’s postseason.
In the East, No. 2 Philadelphia Union II will look to avoid No. 8 Crown Legacy FC pulling off an upset for the second straight round. Fifteen-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan made his professional playoff debut with Union II in the Conference Quarterfinals and will look to open his MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs account in the Semifinals.
No. 4 Chicago Fire FC II and 2024 Golden Boot winner David Poreba will host 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Champions and 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup runners-up, No. 7 Columbus Crew 2.
How They Got Here
In the Western Conference, the No.1-4 seeds all advanced out of the Conference Quarterfinals on Sunday, October 20. North Texas SC defeated No. 7 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 by a thrilling 3-2 scoreline, as Tomas Pondeca scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute. St Louis CITY2 also left it late against No. 5 LAFC2 in their Quarterfinal match, as Mykhi Joyner’s 93rd minute game-winning goal sealed a 2-1 result. The Town FC defeated No. 8 Houston Dynamo 2 by a 2-1 margin thanks to Joel Garcia’s 82nd minute game-winner. Tacoma Defiance also defended homefield advantage in the Quarterfinal round, defeating No. 6 Ventura County FC by a 4-0 margin, highlighted by a brace from Raul Miglietti.
The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals were not as straightforward, seeing two upsets by road teams on Sunday. No. 8 Crown Legacy FC provided the first upset in the East, narrowly defeating No. 1 seed FC Cincinnati 2 on the road by a 2-1 scoreline. Philadelphia Union II advanced past No. 6 seed New York City FC II thanks to CJ Olney’s sensational game-winner in the 86th minute, clinching a 1-0 victory. Columbus Crew 2 booked their spot in the Conference Semifinals by upsetting No. 3 seed Inter Miami II, 6-2. The match saw a record number of total goals scored in an MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs match (8) as well as the most goals scored by a team in a Playoffs match (6, Columbus Crew 2). Chicago Fire FC II was the first team to advance to the Semifinal round, defeating Orlando City B in a penalty shootout after being tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time.
Up Next
Following this weekend’s Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals, the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs will continue with the Conference Finals the weekend of November 1-3, with the postseason culminating with MLS NEXT Pro Cup (November 8-10). After the first two rounds featured the Pick-Your-Opponent format, the Conference Finals and MLS NEXT Pro Cup will follow a traditional bracket style. All matches will air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Watch the entire broadcast below.
