Teams that clinch a spot in the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs will get a new lease on life when it comes to yellow card accumulation.
The yellow card accumulation threshold is reset for the start of the playoffs so players who reach that amount with a card on Decision Day presented by AT&T will not be suspended for the playoffs or the first game of the 2020 season. However, any player sent off on Decision Day will miss their next eligible match, including the MLS Cup Playoffs. The same is true of any MLS Disciplinary Committee decision.
A player who receives a yellow card in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs and in the Conference Semifinal will be suspended for the Conference Final. Yellow card accumulation suspensions do not carry over to the MLS regular season.
A player who picks up his second yellow card in the Conference Championship is eligible to play in MLS Cup.
Yellow card accumulation is reset for MLS Cup.
A player sent off on two bookable offenses in the same playoff match is suspended for the next match he is eligible for, including MLS Cup or his next regular season match.
A player who receives a straight red card in the same match in which he picked up a second cumulative yellow card will be suspended for his next playoff match. For example, a player who earns a yellow card in the First Round and the Conference Semifinal and then receives a straight red card in the same match is suspended for the Conference Final (for the red card) and is eligible to play in MLS Cup because yellow card accumulation is reset.
A player sent off in any playoff match, whether from a red card or a second bookable offense, is suspended for the next match, whether it’s in the MLS Cup Playoffs or the first regular season match of the following season.
