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NEW YORK (Wednesday, November 5, 2025) – It all comes down to this in the Round One Best-of-3 Series as an MLS-record five matchups have reached a pivotal Game 3. The top seeds will host each game, but the pressure of dispatching the underdogs in front of their home fans cannot be underestimated, which was evident in last year’s Game 3s.
Overall, the top seeds and home sides have won five of the seven Game 3s; however, that number was just 50% last season. The two big upsets came in the form of Atlanta United shocking Inter Miami CF and New York City FC winning in penalty kicks against FC Cincinnati. It will be déjà vu for Cincinnati and Miami, with both clubs hosting Game 3 for the second year in a row with an eye on flipping their fortunes from 2024. The first Game 3 in the Eastern Conference will be a standalone matchup on Friday when Charlotte FC hosts New York City FC (7 p.m. ET), having staved off elimination via a penalty kick shootout victory in the Bronx.
In the Western Conference, Minnesota United FC kicks off a Saturday tripleheader as they hope to shake off a Game 2 loss when they host Seattle Sounders FC (4 p.m. ET). The final Game 3 of the weekend sees San Diego FC looking to snap the streak of a No. 1 seed falling to a Wild Card winner in the Round One Best-of-3 Series in each of the last three seasons. The Portland Timbers, who were seconds away from elimination before scoring the fifth-latest goal in postseason history, will have nothing to lose when they travel to Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday night (9 p.m. ET).
All Eyes on Hell is Real Rubber Match
In the first two games, the Hell is Real derby between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew has lived up to the expectation it carried into the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs with. Late goals, breakout scoring performances, red cards, incredible home atmospheres – the series between the fierce Ohio rivals has seen it all so far.
With a win-or-go-home Game 3, this already legendary rivalry could add another momentous postseason chapter, in addition to the iconic 2023 Eastern Conference Final at TQL Stadium. On the road, the Crew came back from two goals down to force extra time before emerging victorious en route to winning MLS Cup that season. Columbus will rely on Diego Rossi, who scored the game-tying goal minutes from full time in 2023, to provide another moment of magic.
Home fans will be hoping that the third time is the charm for Landon Donovan MLS MVP finalist Evander, as he aims to snap a scoreless postseason record and carry Cincinnati to the Conference Semifinals.
Can Portland Become the Next Wild Card Party Crasher?
With the seconds winding down in Game 2, it appeared that the streak of Wild Card winners shocking a conference No. 1 seed was going to come to an end. Enter Portland Timbers forward Gage Guerra, who scored his first MLS goal at the perfect time to send the game to penalties, which the Timbers would prevail in. Guerra and the resilience of the Timbers are reflective of head coach Phil Neville’s energy and fearless attitude.
If the Timbers want to be the next Wild Card winner to upset a No. 1 seed, they’ll have to do so on the road against a San Diego FC side that lost consecutive games only once all season. With Hirving Lozano back to his scoring ways in Game 2 and the confidence of a Game 1 win at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego is hoping to show that the Timbers are not going to be allowed to crash their inaugural season party on Sunday evening (9 p.m. ET).
U-20 Stars Making Postseason Names for Themselves
Both the U.S. and Mexico progressed to the Quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in October, with many of those players now carrying that momentum into the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. The experience of a tense knockout competition right before the playoffs has been impactful for young MLS stars and their clubs.
Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Obed Vargas was one of the top midfielders at the tournament and when the Sounders needed him most in Game 2 on Monday, the 20-year-old Mexican answered the call, scoring twice to force a decisive Game 3 against Minnesota United FC on Saturday (4 p.m. ET). In a team littered with veteran stalwarts, Vargas has been the engine, helping them win Leagues Cup 2025 and earning his first MLS All-Star nod.
With Columbus’ back against the wall against FC Cincinnati, Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy turned to 19-year-old U.S. Youth National Team midfielder Taha Habroune in Game 2. Habroune, who was a central figure for the U.S. at the 2025 U-20 World Cup, is no stranger to tense knockout-round games, having progressed to MLS NEXT Pro Cup and being one of the most decorated MLS NEXT players in program history. The young midfielder was fantastic in Game 2, pulling the strings like an MLS veteran to set up Columbus’ 4-0 victory.
Whether it’s Vargas, Habroune, or another U-20 World Cup standout – such as Matthew Corcoran (Nashville SC) or Matteo Silvetti (Inter Miami CF) – young talent will play a significant role in this weekend’s Game 3s.
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