Conference Quarterfinal matchups to be determined Tuesday with the return of the “Pick-Your-Opponent" format
The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season came to a close on Sunday with a drama-filled Decision Day as the six available postseason spots were filled and the final seeding was determined for the upcoming 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. The stage is now set for the return of the popular Pick-Your-Opponent format to determine the matchups for the opening round, the Conference Quarterfinals.
The Pick-Your-Opponent selection process will be livestreamed on Tuesday, October 8, allowing viewers to watch in real-time as Clubs choose who they will face in the first round. The Eastern (2:00 p.m. ET) and Western (3:00 p.m. ET) Conference Selection Shows will be hosted by one of the most renowned voices in American soccer, MLS Season Pass announcer Max Bretos, and will be carried on MLSNEXTPro.com, X and Instagram. The Conference Quarterfinals schedule will be announced following the shows.
Seeding for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs:
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
- North Texas SC (62 points, 16-4-8)
- St Louis CITY2 (56 points, 17-7-4)
- The Town FC (51 points, 13-7-8)
- Tacoma Defiance (46 points, 13-10-5)
- LAFC2 (45 points, 12-10-6)
- Ventura County FC (43 points, 8-9-11)
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (40 points, 10-11-7)
- Houston Dynamo 2 (39 points, 10-11-7)
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
- FC Cincinnati 2 (54 points, 16-8-4)
- Philadelphia Union II (52 points, 15-9-4)
- Inter Miami II (48 points, 14-8-6)
- Chicago Fire FC II (47 points, 11-8-9)
- Orlando City B (46 points, 11-8-9)
- New York City FC II (45 points, 11-8-9)
- Columbus Crew 2 (45 points, 11-9-8)
- Crown Legacy FC (45 points, 11-10-7)
Entering Decision Day, only one of the eight playoff spots remained in the Western Conference, with five teams separated by just two points competing for it. At the end of the day, Houston Dynamo 2 claimed the last position.
The Eastern Conference was more wide open, with five playoff spots available going into Sunday. Seven teams separated by only three points fought to advance, with Inter Miami II, Chicago Fire FC II, New York City FC II, Columbus Crew 2 and Crown Legacy FC punching their ticket to the postseason.
The No. 1 overall seed (best record) was determined before Decision Day, with North Texas SC (62 points, 16-4-8) completing an impressive campaign at the forefront of the Western Conference. North Texas SC’s staunch defense saw the Club rank best in the League in Goal Differential (+24) and second-best in Goals Allowed (32). Anchored by goalkeeper Michael Collodi, North Texas went undefeated at home in the 2024 season with a record of 9-0-5.
In the Eastern Conference, the No. 1 seed was determined on Decision Day between FC Cincinnati 2 (54 points, 16-8-4) and Philadelphia Union II (52 points, 15-9-4). FC Cincinnati 2’s 3-1 statement win over Orlando City B combined with Philadelphia Union II’s 2-1 defeat to Chicago Fire FC II secured the Ohio club the top seed in the East.
The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs will feature 15 single elimination matches over the course of four consecutive weekends, with three rounds leading to MLS NEXT Pro Cup. This year’s Playoffs will feature more Clubs competing, more matches being played and more Clubs picking their opponents.
The round-by-round format and schedule follows:
- Conference Quarterfinals: October 18 – 20 (four matches per conference)
- 1-3 seeds in each conference will host and select their opponent from the No. 5-8 seeds
- 4 seed will host the remaining Club
- Conference Semifinals: October 25 – 27 (two matches per conference)
- The highest remaining seed in each conference will select and host an opponent from the two lowest seeded teams
- The two remaining Clubs will face each other, with the higher of the two seeds hosting
- Conference Finals: November 1 – 3 (one match per conference)
- The higher remaining seed in each conference will host the other remaining Club
- MLS NEXT Pro Cup: November 8 – 10 (one match)
- The Club with the highest regular season points total will host the other remaining Club
All MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs and MLS NEXT Pro Cup will air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
