[1] This is the 22nd version of the MLS Cup Playoffs, the tournament culminating the Major League Soccer regular season.

Twelve teams, the top six of each conference, compete in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

The winners advance to the MLS Cup, a single match hosted by the participant with the better regular season record.

The top six teams from each conference advance to the MLS Cup playoffs.

Chicago and Portland won seeding tiebreakers over Atlanta and Seattle, respectively, based on total wins.