Matchweek 28 will add additional clubs to the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. The Western Conference has the Town FC and Ventura County FC looking to clinch a spot in the playoffs, while North Texas SC looks to clinch the number one overall seed. In the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia Union II, Orlando City B, NYCFC II and Columbus Crew 2 are also vying to clinch a spot in the big show. Below are the many different scenarios of what needs to go down for each team to clinch.
Western Conference
- The Town FC
- Ventura County FC
- North Texas SC
Clinches a playoff spot:
1) TOWN 1 or more points
OR
2) SKC 1 or fewer points
OR
3) HOUSTON 2 or fewer points + AUSTIN 2 or fewer points
OR
4) HOUSTON 2 or fewer points + VANCOUVER 2 or fewer points
OR
5) AUSTIN 2 or fewer points + WHITECAPS 2 or fewer points
Clinches a playoff spot:
1) SKC 1 or fewer points
OR
2) HOUSTON 2 or fewer points + AUSTIN 1 or fewer points
OR
3) HOUSTON 2 or fewer points + WHITECAPS 1 or fewer points
OR
4) HOUSTON 2 or fewer points + AUSTIN shootout win + WHITECAPS 2 or fewer points
OR
5) AUSTIN 1 or fewer points + WHITECAPS 2 or fewer points
Clinches Frontier Division title and No. 1 seed in the Western Conference:
1) NORTH TEXAS win + ST. LOUIS loss
Clinches No. 1 overall (best record):
1) NORTH TEXAS win + ST. LOUIS loss + CINCINNATI 2 or fewer points
Are eliminated:
1) REAL MONARCHS loss + SKC win + WHITECAPS 2 or more points
OR
2) REAL MONARCHS loss + SKC win + AUSTIN 2 or more points
OR
3) REAL MONARCHS loss + SKC win + HOUSTON win
OR
4) REAL MONARCHS loss + SKC win + AUSTIN shootout loss + WHITECAPS shootout loss
OR
5) REAL MONARCHS loss + SKC win + HOUSTON shootout win + WHITECAPS shootout loss
Is eliminated:
1) MNUFC 2 or fewer points
OR
2) AUSTIN 2 or more points
OR
3) HOUSTON win
OR
4) REAL MONARCHS 2 or more points
Eastern Conference
- Philadelphia Union II
- Orlando City B
- New York City FC II
- Columbus Crew 2
clinches a playoff spot:
1) PHILADELPHIA 1 or more points
OR
2) CAROLINA CORE 2 or fewer points + CHATTANOOGA 2 or fewer points
OR
3) CAROLINA 2 or fewer points + CROWN LEGACY loss
OR
4) CAROLINA 2 or fewer points + ORLANDO CITY B loss
OR
5) CHATANOOGA 2 or fewer points + CROWN 1 or fewer points
OR
6) CHATANOOGA 2 or fewer points + ORLANDO loss
OR
7) CHATANOOGA 2 or fewer points + CHICAGO 1 or fewer points
OR
8) ORLANDO loss + CROWN 1 or fewer points
OR
9) COLUMBUS shootout loss + CHICAGO loss
OR
10) CROWN loss + CHICAGO 1 or fewer points
Clinches a playoff spot:
1) ORLANDO win + CHATTANOOGA 2 or fewer points
OR
2) ORLANDO shootout win + CHATTANOOGA loss + CAROLINA 1 or fewer points
Clinches a playoff spot:
1) NYCFC win + CHATTANOOGA 1 or fewer points + CAROLINA 1 or fewer points
Clinches a playoff spot:
1) COLUMBUS win + CHATTANOOGA 1 or fewer points
Is eliminated:
1) TORONTO loss + CROWN 1 or more points
OR
2) TORONTO loss + CHATTANOOGA win
OR
3) TORONTO shootout loss + CHICAGO 1 or more points + CROWN 2 or more points
OR
4) TORONTO shootout win + NYCFC 1 or more points + COLUMBUS 1 or more points + CHICAGO 2 or more points + CROWN win
Are eliminated:
1) RED BULLS loss
OR
2) RED BULLS shootout loss + CAROLINA win
OR
3) RED BULLS shootout loss + CROWN 1 or more points
OR
4) RED BULLS shootout loss + CHATTANOOGA 1 or more points
OR
5) RED BULLS shootout win + CHICAGO 1 or more points + CROWN 2 or more points
OR
6) RED BULLS shootout win + CHICAGO 1 or more points + CROWN shootout loss + CHATTANOOGA win
OR
7) NYCFC 1 or more points + COLUMBUB 1 or more points + CHICAGO 2 or more points + CROWN win
