MLS Announces Schedule for Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round

NEW YORK
(October 22, 2017)
– Following an action-packed Decision Day 2017 presented by AT&T that included an MLS single-day league record 46 goals across the 11 simultaneously-played matches, the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs berths and seeding have been set.
The postseason begins on Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27 with four single-elimination, intraconference Knockout Round matches. UniMás will air all four matches nationally in Spanish language, while ESPN2 and FS1 will each air a Knockout Round match in English. TSN and TVA Sports will provide coverage of all four Knockout Round matches nationally in Canada.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed Chicago Fire, led by MLS Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolić, host the No. 6 New York Red Bulls (UniMás, FS1, TSN3/5, TVA Sports, 8:30 p.m. ET). Then in the Western Conference, the No. 3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC host the No. 6 San Jose Earthquakes (UniMás, TSN Network, TVA Sports 2, 10:30 p.m. ET). San Jose was the final team to clinch a berth for the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, thanks to Marco Ureña’s stoppage-time winner against Minnesota United FC.
Regional English-language broadcast information for the Wednesday Knockout Round matches will be confirmed by individual clubs.
On Thursday, Oct. 26, expansion side Atlanta United, the Eastern Conference No. 4 seed, will host No. 5 Columbus Crew SC (UniMás, ESPN2, TSN4, TVA Sports, 7 p.m. ET) followed by the Western Conference’s No. 4 Houston Dynamo welcoming the fifth-seeded Sporting Kansas City (UniMás, TSN4, TVA Sports, 9:30 p.m. ET).
After enjoying a bye in the Knockout Round, Toronto FC await the lowest-seeded team from the East that advances, while second-seeded New York City FC will face the highest-seeded Eastern Conference team that advances.
Likewise, in the West, the top-seeded Portland Timbers will face the lowest-seeded Western Conference team that advances, while No. 2 Seattle Sounders FC will be matched against the highest-seeded Western Conference team that advances.
The national broadcast schedule for the Conference Semifinal series matches will be announced following the four mid-week Knockout Round matches.

• FINAL MLS STANDINGS
• AUDI 2017 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS FORMAT

Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule 
Subject to change. Canadian and international broadcast information to be announced at a later date.
Knockout Round
(Conference third seed vs. sixth seed, and fourth seed vs. fifth seed in a single-game elimination match)
Wednesday, Oct. 25

both games will be played on the same day.
Western Conference Semifinal Series
Western Conference Semifinal Leg 1 (2 games)

• Sunday, Oct. 29            Time TBD                (ESPN)
  
• Tuesday, Oct. 31           Time TBD                (FS1)
  

Western Conference Semifinal Leg 2 (2 games)

• Thursday, Nov. 2          Seattle Sounders FC vs. TBD, Time TBD           (ESPN or FS1)
  
• Sunday, Nov. 5             Portland Timbers vs. TBD, Time TBD                 (ESPN or FS1)
  

Conference Championships
(
Two-game series, aggregate-goal format)
Eastern Conference Championship Series
Eastern Conference Championship Leg 1 (1 game)

• Tuesday, Nov. 21          8 p.m. ET          (ESPN)
  

Eastern Conference Semifinal Leg 2 (1 game)

• Nov. 28 or 29                Time TBD         (FS1)
  

Western Conference Championship Series
Western Conference Championship Leg 1 (1 game)

• Tuesday, Nov. 21          10 p.m. ET        (FS1)
  

Western Conference Championship Leg 2 (1 game) 

• Thursday, Nov. 30         10 p.m.             (ESPN)
  

2017 MLS Cup
(Hosted at the home venue of the finalist with the best regular season record)

• Saturday, Dec. 9           4 p.m. ET          (ESPN, UniMás, TSN, TVA Sports, 4 p.m. ET)