After 16 days of intense competition, Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs wrapped up on Sunday night. With the international break in November now upon us, the momentum of the postseason will come to a standstill.
Reflecting on the best-of-three series, it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit the opening matches of the playoffs. The favorites emerged victorious, the GOAT reached the conference semifinals for the first time in his MLS career, and a series of thrilling shootouts added to the excitement.
ESPN consulted Cesar Hernandez and Joseph Lowery for a recap of the highlights and lowlights from Round 1.
Highlights of the Round
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For fans hoping for shocking upsets in this year’s playoffs, they’ll have to hold off for now.
In the Western Conference, the top four seeds—San Diego FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps, LAFC, and Minnesota United FC—all advanced by overcoming lower seeds, with Los Angeles and Vancouver needing just two games to secure their series wins.
Over in the Eastern Conference, there was one upset with No. 5 New York City FC eliminating No. 4 Charlotte FC, but not many expected Charlotte to win the title. Predictions for champion contenders in the East continue to favor the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, and Inter Miami CF, all of whom remain in the chase for the title.
Will these outcomes indicate what’s ahead? Probably not.
With a league characterized by parity, MLS is inherently unpredictable. One prediction we can confidently make is that surprising results are right around the corner in the upcoming round. — Hernandez
MLS Faces Scheduling Critique
There’s been plenty of debate regarding MLS’ controversial playoff format, which includes 60% of the league, starts with a best-of-three opening round, pauses for an international break, and transitions to single elimination for the MLS Cup. At best, this setup is cumbersome; at worst, it’s convoluted.
While I appreciate the narratives and tactical challenges presented by the best-of-three series, the most perplexing aspect of this year’s opening round wasn’t the format itself, but rather how it was scheduled.
Remember those exciting Saturday games that were supposed to kick off the postseason? Oh, right—you don’t, because there weren’t any playoff matches on that Saturday.
Round 1 commenced with Inter Miami on Friday, Oct. 24, but Saturday saw no games. Sunday featured three matches, followed by one on Monday, one on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday. The outcome? A disjointed broadcast schedule left neutral viewers—exactly the type of fans MLS needs—confused and off-kilter. Additionally, four teams faced only three days of rest between their playoff matches, while others enjoyed a full week.
MLS’s postseason should showcase the league at its finest, but it fell short of executing the best advertising possible at the start of the playoffs. — Lowery
MVP of the Round
Lionel Messi | Inter Miami
It’s Messi. Were there ever any doubts?
Following an incredible regular season that will likely crown him as the first player to win back-to-back MVP titles in MLS history, Messi brought his exceptional talent into the playoffs. In Inter Miami’s three matches against Nashville SC, he scored five goals and assisted on one, delivering a classic, pinpoint Messi through ball.
Even without suspended teammate Luis Suárez for the decisive third game against Nashville, Miami performed flawlessly. Messi kicked off the scoring in a commanding 4-0 victory and set a strong defensive tone with his energetic pressing from the No. 10 role.
At 38, Messi remains just as unstoppable as when he first arrived in South Florida in the summer of 2023. Motivated by last year’s disappointing loss to Atlanta United FC and the team’s struggles in knockout tournaments, Messi looked determined to ignite this year’s playoffs—a worrisome prospect for Nashville and the rest of the playoff teams. — Lowery
Anders Dreyer | San Diego FC
While Messi rightly deserves this round’s MVP title—and the actual MVP title for the regular season—let’s also recognize the outstanding San Diego forward who equally deserves attention.
After netting what became the game-winner in the first leg against the Portland Timbers and assisting in the second match of the series, the Danish international scored a brace in a decisive 4-0 victory on Sunday, securing advancement to the conference semifinals.
Crowds at Snapdragon Stadium joyfully chanted “MVP” after his two goals and during every corner he took—making it clear who was the standout performer of the round.
“It was a beautiful game, and the atmosphere was electric,” said the MLS Newcomer of the Year post-game to Apple TV, looking forward to further opportunities to shine when San Diego hosts Minnesota in the next round. — Hernandez
Moment of the Round
Loons-Sounders Shootout Goes 11 Rounds
Adding to the excitement of the best-of-three series, we witnessed six thrilling penalty shootouts that determined the winners of matches ending in regulation time draws.
Vancouver advanced after winning a shootout, Philadelphia avoided early elimination with their own victory in penalties, but the most exhilarating shootout of Round 1 was the series-decider between Minnesota and the Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday—a contest that will be remembered in MLS history.
With goalkeeper Andrew Thomas brought in as a tactical move for the penalty shootout, he dislocated a finger during the first round of penalties. Initially, Seattle remained competitive through the sudden-death scenario.
Then, the goalkeepers took center stage. Loons’ Dayne St. Clair scored his shot, while Thomas stepped up confidently to strike for Seattle. However, disaster struck when his attempt smashed into the crossbar and ricocheted back past a helpless Thomas. Minnesota claimed victory, 7-6.
The penalty shootout was both beautiful and heartrending, capturing the full spectrum of emotions. What more could you wish for? — Hernandez
Brenner Returns to Propel Cincinnati Forward
Brenner’s tenure at Cincinnati has been nothing short of tumultuous. Initially signed in 2021 for one of the highest transfer fees in MLS history, the Brazilian striker had his moments but departed the club in 2023 under less than favorable circumstances.
However, in a dramatic return at the closing of this year’s summer transfer window, he made headlines by coming back to Cincinnati. In Saturday’s deciding “Hell Is Real” match against rival Columbus Crew, he delivered a standout performance.
Brenner’s equalizing goal electrified the crowd at TQL Stadium, and his late-game winner in the 86th minute sent the 25,513 spectators into an ecstatic frenzy.
In a moment filled with anticipation, Brenner struck decisively inside the box—creating space from last year’s Defender of the Year, Steven Moriera, and slotting home the final goal of the match, which led him to remove his shirt in celebration—and inadvertently, his wearable GPS tracker.
In a pivotal moment of FC Cincinnati’s 2025 season, Brenner’s return as a prodigal son secured the team’s place in the Eastern Conference semifinals. — Lowery