Next up: Conference Semifinals in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Round One Best-of-3 series winners have their matchup locked in – Eastern Conference Semifinals are played on Saturday, Nov. 25, while Western Conference Semifinals are played on Sunday, Nov. 26. When matches resume following the FIFA international break, single-elimination returns and there's extra-time/PKs (if needed).
The four winners reach the Conference Finals on Dec. 2-3, building towards MLS Cup presented by Audi on Dec. 9. As always, matches can be viewed via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Orlando City SC (2) vs. Columbus Crew (3)
- When: Saturday, Nov. 25 | 5:30 pm ET
- Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass
- Where: Exploria Stadium | Orlando, Florida
Orlando completed a Round One sweep of Nashville SC (No. 7), as goals from Wilder Cartagena and Iván Angulo powered two separate 1-0 victories and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese posted back-to-back shutouts. The Lions also made the Conference Semifinals in 2020, starting their rise under head coach Óscar Pareja.
Columbus outlasted Atlanta in their Round One series, cruising to a 4-2 home victory in Match 3. With Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernández the focal points, the Crew boast a high-flying attack in their first year under head coach Wilfried Nancy. They do have backline vulnerabilities, though.
FC Cincinnati (1) vs. Philadelphia Union (4)
- When: Saturday, Nov. 25 | 8 pm ET
- Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass
- Where: TQL Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
FC Cincinnati, after sweeping New York Red Bulls (No. 8) in Round One, are three games away from becoming the league's ninth Supporters' Shield-MLS Cup double-winning team. Luciano Acosta, the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP frontrunner, has 1g/2a in the postseason, but Cincy will be without center back Matt Miazga due to yellow-card accumulation.
Philadelphia needed only two games to surpass the New England Revolution (No. 5) in Round One, closing out Match 2 on the road despite missing defenders Kai Wagner (suspension) and Jakob Glesnes (injury), as well as striker Julián Carranza (injury). In 2022, the Union won this Conference Semifinal matchup at Subaru Park en route to making the MLS Cup final.
Houston Dynamo FC (4) vs. Sporting Kansas City (8)
- When: Sunday, Nov. 26 | 7 pm ET
- Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | FS1, FOX Deportes | TSN, RDS
- Where: Shell Energy Stadium | Houston, Texas
Houston, after lifting the US Open Cup in late September, dream of adding a second trophy during head coach Ben Olsen's first year at the helm. They squeaked past Real Salt Lake (No. 5) in Match 3, turning to fullback Griffin Dorsey and goalkeeper Steve Clark as their PK heroes. Star midfielder Héctor Herrera has 1g/1a in the playoffs.
Sporting KC swept St. Louis CITY SC (No. 1) in Round One, upsetting their Midwest rival and ending a dream expansion season. Peter Vermes' group, led by striker Alan Pulido, has been the West's best team since May. But their depth will be tested after left back Logan Ndenbe tore his ACL in Match 2.
Seattle Sounders FC (2) vs. LAFC (3)
- When: Sunday, Nov. 26 | 9:30 pm ET
- Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass
- Where: Lumen Field | Seattle, Washington
Seattle were pushed to Match 3 by FC Dallas (No. 7), yet won their Round One series thanks to Albert Rusnák's first-half goal. Veteran goalkeeper Stefan Frei has posted two shutouts this postseason, and the Rave Green's veteran know-how has shined even as Nicolás Lodeiro and Raúl Ruidíaz shift to super-sub roles.
LAFC swept Vancouver Whitecaps FC (No. 6) in Round One, largely thanks to Dénis Bouanga's red-hot form. The Golden Boot presented by Audi winner, who had 20g/7a in the regular season, tallied three times to help the Black & Gold inch closer towards possibly being the first MLS Cup repeat winner since the 2011-12 LA Galaxy.
