This year’s postseason was designed to bridge the gap between a North American audience and soccer traditionalists. But it sapped the competition of momentum
Nothing ever stays still in Major League Soccer for long. The allocation order, for example, was used for years to determine which clubs have priority to sign a player until its abolishment in January. This season an entire month was set aside for the first-ever Leagues Cup only a few years after the creation of the Campeones Cup, another mid-season competition. No change, however, has been more consequential – and controversial – than the tweaks to this season’s playoff format.
Eighteen teams (nine from each conference) entered this season’s expanded postseason, up from 14 the season before. In total, 62% of MLS’s 29 teams made the playoffs, prompting complaints that the bar had been lowered too much. The NBA is the only other big North American sports league to admit a comparable number of teams into its postseason, but at least the NBA boasts quality throughout. There are stars on every team. Did MLS fans really need to see more of Charlotte FC or the San Jose Earthquakes this season?
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