News Summary
The MLS has revealed the opening round matchups for the playoffs, featuring a best-of-three series. FC Cincinnati will face Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium, with the first game on October 27. All matches promise decisive outcomes with no ties allowed, setting the stage for an intense competition. The playoffs are highlighted by a Community Launch Party on October 22, engaging fans as postseason excitement builds. Cincinnati enters with strong recent form, while Columbus seeks to reclaim momentum for a hard-fought series.
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Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced the schedule for the opening round of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, featuring a best-of-three series that will determine which teams advance toward the championship. The playoff format mandates that each matchup in Round One will produce a clear winner through either regulation, penalty kicks, or tie-breakers, with no allowances for draws or aggregate scoring.
Matchups and Venue Details
The playoffs will kick off with the matchup between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew. Cincinnati secured the No. 2 seed after defeating Montreal 3-0 on Decision Day, positioning themselves as a strong contender with home-field advantage. Columbus Crew, on the other hand, clinched the No. 7 seed after a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.
The series begins at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday, October 27, at 6:45 p.m. ET. Fans can purchase tickets now through the team’s official ticketing website. Should the series extend to a third game, it will be hosted at the same venue on Saturday, November 8, with the time to be determined. If necessary, Game 2 will be held at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Sunday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Series Format and Rules
The Round One series features a best-of-three format, meaning the first team to win two matches will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. All matches will have a definitive outcome, with no ties allowed. Should the teams be tied after regulation in any game, the winner will be decided via penalty kicks. Extra time will not be played in any of these matches.
This format emphasizes the importance of each game, as points from tied matches cannot carry over. The series is straightforward: the team that wins two matches moves forward, making each game a crucial step toward the MLS Cup final scheduled for Saturday, December 6.
Broadcast Information and Fan Engagement
All Round One matches will be accessible through the MLS Season Pass, with free access provided to Apple TV subscribers. Fans wishing to follow the games via traditional media can watch Game 1 on Fox Sports 1, and all games will be streamed through Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. Additionally, Spanish-speaking audiences can tune into Fox Deportes for live coverage.
Locally, radio broadcasts for Game 1 will be available on iHeart Fox Sports 1360 in English and La Mega 101.5 FM in Spanish. Similar radio coverage will include Game 2 at Columbus and the potential Game 3 at Cincinnati, ensuring fans can follow the series through multiple channels.
Community Engagement and Promotional Events
To generate excitement for the playoffs, a Playoffs Launch Party is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, at MadTree Parks & Rec in Blue Ash. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. and feature activities for fans of all ages, encouraging community participation as the postseason begins.
Historical Context and Team Performance
This postseason pairing is not new, with Cincinnati and Columbus facing off in the 2023 playoffs, where Columbus emerged victorious in extra time with a 3-2 scoreline. In this season’s head-to-head matchups, Cincinnati has had the upper hand, securing one win, with no losses, and one draw in their two meetings. Despite Cincinnati’s recent form, having won four of their last five matches, Columbus has struggled lately, with just one win in that span, indicating a potentially competitive series.
As the teams prepare to face off, fans and analysts will be watching closely, especially considering Cincinnati’s recent strong defense and Columbus’s quest to improve their form during pivotal playoff matches. The outcome of this series will set the tone for the Eastern Conference’s eventual finalists as the competition advances toward the MLS Cup final in early December.
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