NEW YORK CITY (September 18, 2022) – After a dramatic MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day on Sunday, the final eight-team field is set for the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.  Going into the last day of the regular season on Sunday, three of the four spots in the Eastern Conference were up for grabs. While the four spots in the Western Conference had already been clinched, Sunday’s results determined seeding for those clubs.

The first round of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, the Conference Semifinals, will take place Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, at the home of the two higher-seeded teams in each conference.

The Conference Semifinals schedule is as follows:

Eastern Conference
Saturday, September 24
Columbus Crew 2 (1) vs. Rochester New York FC (4) – Historic Crew Stadium (3:00 p.m. ET)
Toronto FC II (2) vs. Philadelphia Union II (3) – BMO Field (7:00 p.m. ET)

Western Conference
Sunday, September 25
St Louis CITY2 (1) vs. North Texas SC (4) – TBD (7:30 p.m. ET)
Tacoma Defiance (2) vs. Houston Dynamo 2 (3) – Starfire Sports Complex (10:30 p.m. ET)

Fans will be able to watch every match of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs live via enhanced broadcasts on mlsnextpro.com.

Within each conference, the two Division Champions plus the two teams with the next-highest point totals qualified for the Playoffs. In the Eastern Conference, Columbus Crew 2 claimed the Central Division title while Toronto FC II won the Northeast.  Crew 2 finished the regular season with the best record in the League (55 points, 16-3-5) and as such will hold homefield advantage for the duration of the Playoffs.  In the Western Conference, Tacoma Defiance won the Pacific Division and St Louis CITY2 clinched the Frontier Division and the top seed in the conference.

The 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs will continue the weekend of October 1 with the Eastern and Western Conference Finals and will culminate with the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup on October 8.

About MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in March 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway. With 21 Clubs competing during the inaugural season – 20 MLS-affiliated and one independent club, Rochester New York FC – MLS NEXT Pro is growing the game through innovation and diversity by bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field.  Seven MLS-affiliated clubs will join MLS NEXT Pro in 2023: Atlanta United, Austin FC, Charlotte FC, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Football Club, Nashville Soccer Club and New York Red Bulls.  Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead.  Beginning in 2023, MLS NEXT Pro matches will be streamed live on the Apple TV app as part of the monumental partnership between Apple and Major League Soccer. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.