The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs are upon us!
An expanded field in 2024 gives 16 clubs a chance to extend their seasons.
The top three seeds in each conference selected their opponents, setting the stage for a little drama and extra motivation.
All eight matches take place on Sunday throughout the afternoon and evening and will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Here is a closer look at the talking points heading in:
Sunday, 10/20
Chicago Fire II vs. Orlando City B (3 PM ET | MLSNEXTPro.com)
These two only met once in the regular season and Orlando City B made a statement with a 3-0 home win on Sep. 23.
This time they'll have to try to do it on the road, which likely won't be so easy. Chicago Fire II posted the best home record in the Eastern Conference with an 8W-2L-4T line.
The player to watch for the home side will naturally be 2024 Golden Boot winner David Poreba, whose 18 goals and two assists top the production charts for Fire II.
As for OCB, 20-year-old defender Alex Freeman has been on a tear lately. The September Player of the Month ended the regular season with eight goals and nine assists from the right-back position.
St. Louis CITY2 vs. LAFC2 (3 PM ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Here's where the drama begins. St Louis CITY2 selected LAFC2 as their opponent, looking to keep their all-time unbeaten record intact.
The season only offered one head-to-head matchup and it provided fireworks in a 4-3 win for CITY2 in July.
As for momentum, CITY2 won their last two regular season matches, outscoring their opposition 8-2, while LAFC2 ended the season on a three-game losing skid.
Philadelphia Union II vs. NYCFC II (5 PM ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Sunday's showdown at Subaru Park marks the ninth all-time meeting between the two Eastern Conference clubs. Union II leads the all-time series with five wins. Perhaps a factor in their selection of NYCFC II as their Quarterfinal opponent.
Philadelphia Union II had a strong regular season and nearly won the Eastern Conference top seed. That performance was built on one of the league's youngest squads. 18-year-old Eddy Davis' 13 goals lead the team, while C.J. Olney (17), Cavan Sullivan (15), and Francis Westfield (18) have all played contributing roles as well.
NYCFC II boasts striker Taylor Calheira whose breakout 14-goal, five-assist campaign led the club's production charts in their sixth-place conference finish.
The Town FC vs. Houston Dynamo 2 (6 PM ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
One of the bold selections in the Pick-Your-Opponent setup, The Town FC opted for Houston Dynamo 2. Their only head-to-head matchup this year produced a 1-1 tie in May and Dynamo Dos took the extra point.
The Town FC are one of the in-form clubs heading into the postseason with four straight victories including three clean sheets. Dual-national goalkeeper Emi Ochoa has been the star of the show lately, helping the team to the best goals against stat (28) in the league.
Houston Dynamo 2 closed the regular season on a strong note with two wins in their last three matches. Handling that pressure helped lift them over the line on Decision Day.
Gabriel Segal's 10 goals lead the team while rising playmaker Diego Gonzalez is a must-watch in possession (six goals, 10 assists).
FC Cincinnati 2 vs. Crown Legacy FC (7 PM ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
The road through the East runs through FC Cincinnati 2, who selected eighth-seeded Crown Legacy FC.
Coach of the Year Tyrone Marshall's squad enjoyed a stellar turnaround in 2024. The third-best defense in MLS NEXT Pro has been one of FCC2's strengths this year (34 goals conceded). Brian Schaefer has been the anchor of FCC2's backline while Kenji Mboma Dem (seven goals) is their top attacking threat.
Crown Legacy FC come in looking for the upset and have six road wins on the season to bolster their case. Their leader has been 18-year-old midfielder Aron John who notched eight goals in addition to tying the league single-season assist record (10).
CLFC and FCC2 met once in the regular season, with FCC2 earning a 2-1 home victory on May 4.
Inter Miami II vs. Columbus Crew 2 (7 PM ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Inter Miami II head coach Federico Higuaín was a legend for the Columbus Crew first team in his playing days. Sunday, he'll be the villain after selecting Crew 2 as his club's first-ever Playoff opponent.
Higuaín's side closed the regular season winning four of their five matches. Miami II racked up 53 goals in the regular season, which tied for the fourth-most in the East. Ryan Carmichael and Alejandro Flores were among the most influential stars for the South Florida side, totaling 15 goals and 10 assists.
Against all odds, Crew 2's Decision Day victory combined with favorable results elsewhere qualified them for their third MLS NEXT Pro Playoff berth despite significant turnover from their title-winning 2022 and Conference-winning 2023.
First-year head coach Kelvin Jones has relied on Chase Adams and Brent Adu-Gyamfi to lead the new-look Capybaras back to the postseason.
North Texas SC vs. Whitecaps FC 2 (8:30 PM ET | MLSNEXTPro.com)
The West's No. 1 seed begins their quest to run the table.
North Texas SC selected Whitecaps FC 2 for their Quarterfinal opponent after a 0-0 tie and 1-0 win in the regular season.
NTSC were dominant in the regular season and went unbeaten all year long. Their +24 goal differential was thanks in big part to Pedrinho and Tarik Scott both eclipsed double-digit goals (10 apiece), but don't forget about goalkeeper Michael Collidi, whose solid season earned him the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year honor.
Whitecaps FC 2 snuck into the playoffs winning only one of their last 12 matches, setting the scene for a possible Cinderella run if they can manage the upset.
Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (9G/4A) and Eliot Goldthorp (8G/5A) were two of the club's offseason signings and have been key throughout the year and are the ones to watch in the upset bid.
Tacoma Defiance vs. Ventura County FC (10 PM ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Not much separated Tacoma Defiance and Ventura County FC in 2024. The season series has produced 16 goals across three matches. VCFC bring a slight edge with two wins, but the Defiance edged them in the shootout following a 2-2 tie in the most recent matchup.
The Defiance made Starfire Sports Complex a fortress in 2024, losing just once at home. Herve Diese's men have relied on Chris Aquino (10 goals) and Osaze De Rosario (9 goal contributions) for production in the final third.
Despite the edge in the head-to-head series, VCFC limped into the postseason on a five-game winless skid. Ruben Ramos Jr. remains a top prospect to watch (8G/3A) while goalkeeper Brady Scott was the only MLS NEXT Pro keeper to feature in every regular season match (28 starts).
