MLS Cup Playoffs

If the season ended today (Oct. 21 Edition)

In The Season Ended Today Oct 21 Image

Seattle took two out of three against the Colorado Rapids this season and would face them in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs if the current position holds.

The MLS Cup Playoff picture is nearly set, but there is still plenty to play for across the board in the final week of the regular season as teams jockey for position entering the postseason. Sounders FC is right in the thick of the action after clinching the club’s fifth consecutive playoff berth over the weekend.


Here is how the postseason would start if the season ended today.


Only three points separates first from fifth and Seattle is still in the hunt for home field advantage with 51 points at 15-12-6.


Sounders FC would host the fifth-seeded Colorado Rapids (14-10-9, 51 points) in the first round, playing one game at CenturyLink Field to earn the chance to face the No. 1 Portland Timbers in the Western Conference Semifinals. Seattle holds the first tie-breaker against Colorado (wins) so while they are even on points, Sounders FC has the edge in the standings.


The Timbers are 13-5-15 (54 points) and finish the regular season on the road on Saturday against Chivas USA. Chivas will be coming off of a mid-week game against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL is currently second in the West at 15-10-8 (53 points) and would hold home-field advantage in the Western Conference Semifinals against the LA Galaxy (15-11-7, 52 points).


The San Jose Earthquakes still have not been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but would need to win over FC Dallas on Saturday and outscore the Rapids by 13 goals in order to pass Colorado into fifth in the West.


In the East, only two teams are locked into the postseason, as the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City punched their playoff tickets.


In the 4-5 match, the Chicago Fire (14-12-7, 49 points) would host the New England Revolution (13-11-9, 48 points) in the one-game First Round matchup. Chicago has the same record as the Montreal Impact (14-12-7, 49 points), but Montreal holds the second tie-breaker over the Fire, with 50 goals on the season to 45 for Chicago. The winner of the Chicago-New England match would meet No. 1 ranked New York (16-9-8, 56 points) in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.


On the other side of the bracket, Sporting KC (16-10-7, 55 points) would hold home-field advantage over the Impact.


The first round of playoff games between No. 4 and No. 5 in each conference will be one match hosted by the No. 4 seed. The winners of each conference semifinal series will meet in a two-leg conference final, with the two winners advancing to the MLS Cup final.

Remaining Schedules


Portland (13-5-15; 1 away)
Oct. 26 @ Chivas USA


Real Salt Lake (15-10-8; 1 home)
Oct. 23 vs. Chivas USA


LA Galaxy (15-11-7; 1 away; 1 CCL)
Oct. 24 @ Metapan; CONCACAF Champions League
Oct. 27 @ Seattle (ESPN)


Sounders FC (15-12-6; 1 home)
Oct. 27 vs. LA Galaxy (ESPN)


Colorado (14-10-9; 1 away)
Oct. 27 @ Vancouver


San Jose (13-11-9; 1 home; 1 CCL)
Oct. 23 vs. Heredia; CONCACAF Champions League
Oct. 26 vs. FC Dallas (NBC Sports)

2026 Season Membership Deposits

2026 Season Membership Deposits

Feel the pull of the Sound and step into something bigger. 2026 will continue to put Seattle soccer on the world stage, so there's no better time to join the Rave Green and grow with the Sounders legacy. Secure your seat alongside the best fans in MLS.

Two Tickets & Two Beers (vs. Portland Timbers)

Two Tickets & Two Beers (vs. Portland Timbers)

Come out to Lumen Field to watch your Seattle Sounders take on Portland with this special ticket offer sponsored by Michelob Ultra. For just $40 + Taxes & Fees, get two tickets & two beers for the match. For 21+ fans only and drinks must be picked up in the North Plaza 21+ beer garden prior to kickoff.

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on October 4.

Match & Merch Bundle (vs. Portland Timbers)

Match & Merch Bundle (vs. Portland Timbers)

Add a limited-edition Cascadia Rivalry t-shirt to your ticket to the Portland Timbers match. Matchday pick up info will be communicated prior to the match via email.

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on October 4.