San Jose Earthquakes II and Red Bull New York II Advance to Face No. 1 Seeds in First Round of 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs
Following the conclusion of the League’s first-ever Play-in Round, final seeding is set for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. With victories on Sunday, San Jose Earthquakes II and Red Bull New York II solidified the final spot in the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively. The two teams will advance to the Conference Quarterfinals as the No. 8 seeds, with the first round being held the weekend of October 16.
In the Western Conference Play-in Match, No. 8 San Jose Earthquakes II and No. 9 Tacoma Defiance dueled to a 3-3 stalemate in regulation, and each added a goal in extra time to head into a shootout tied 4-4. Tomo Allen (SJE) and Rafael Jauregui (TAC) each scored a brace in regulation, with Zachary Bohane (SJE) and Mark O’Neill (TAC) scoring the remaining goals. Jermaine Spivey (SJE) finished a sensational effort in the first half of extra time before Landon Lucero (TAC) scored a late equalizer in the 110th minute. The host Quakes II advanced to the Playoffs through a 3-1 victory in the shootout; goalkeeper Nathan Crockford provided two saves to seal the victory.
Defending champions and No. 8 seed Red Bull New York II emerged from the Eastern Conference Play-in Match, defeating No. 9 seed Huntsville City FC, 3-1. The visitors struck first through Zidane Yañez’s (HNT) strike in the sixth minute, but the Baby Bulls stormed back through two quickfire goals from Mijahir Jiménez and Pedrinho Castro within three minutes of each other to close the first half, with Tanner Rosborough sealing the result with a goal in the 89th minute.
San Jose Earthquakes II and Red Bull New York II will hit the road to face the respective No. 1 seed in their conference in the Quarterfinals. Through MLS NEXT Pro’s Pick-Your-Opponent format, No. 1 Austin FC II previously selected the winner of the Western Conference Play-in Match to host in the first round while No. 1 Crown Legacy FC similarly chose the winner of its conference Play-in Match.
The Conference Quarterfinals schedule is as follows, with all matches airing on OneFootball.com and MLSNEXTPro.com.
Eastern Conference
Friday, October 16
Atlanta United 2 (No. 3) vs CT United FC (No. 7) – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground (6 p.m. ET)
Saturday, October 17
Columbus Crew 2 (No. 4) vs New England Revolution II (No. 5) – ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (3 p.m. ET)
Sunday, October 18
Chattanooga FC (No. 2) vs New York City FC II (No. 6) – Finley Stadium (5 p.m. ET)
Crown Legacy FC (No. 1) vs Red Bull New York II (No. 8) – Sportsplex at Matthews (7 p.m. ET)
Western Conference
Friday, October 16
Portland Timbers2 (No. 2) vs St Louis CITY2 (No. 7) – Providence Park (10 p.m. ET)
Ventura County FC (No. 3) vs MNUFC2 (No. 5) – Dignity Health Sports Park (10 p.m. ET)
Sunday, October 18
Houston Dynamo 2 (No. 4) vs LAFC 2 (No. 6) – Shell Energy Stadium (7 p.m. ET)
Austin FC II (No. 1) vs San Jose Earthquakes II (No. 8) – Parmer Field (8:30 p.m. ET)
Following the Conference Quarterfinals, the Playoffs will continue the weekend of October 23. The Pick-Your-Opponent process will also be utilized for the Conference Semifinals, with the highest remaining seed in each conference selecting and hosting an opponent from the two lowest seeded teams on October 20. The two remaining Clubs will face each other, with the higher of the two seeds hosting.
The Conference Finals (weekend of October 30) and MLS NEXT Pro Cup (weekend of November 6) will follow a traditional bracket style. As the No. 1 overall seed (best regular season record), Austin FC II is guaranteed home field throughout the Playoffs – the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Champions make a triumphant return to the postseason after missing the 2024 and 2025 editions.
Complete details on the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs are available at MLSNEXTPro.com.
