EXPLAINER
What’s the distinction between the Supporters’ Protect and the MLS Cup? Which groups have certified? Al Jazeera explains.
The 2024 Main League Soccer (MLS) season in North America is heading in the direction of its conclusion, with the area’s high membership soccer groups vying for an opportunity to elevate the coveted MLS Cup.
The 2024 event is anticipated to draw a wider international viewers with the inclusion of soccer icon Lionel Messi’s crew, Inter Miami, who’ve certified for the playoffs for the primary time.
Right here’s all the pieces you have to know concerning the MLS Cup:
How does the MLS season work?
The 29 MLS groups are divided into two conferences – japanese and western – and play a sequence of dwelling and away matches in a league format, often known as the common season.
The crew on the high of the league on the finish of the common season is awarded the Supporters’ Protect – won by Messi’s Inter Miami in 2024 – and the league then strikes in the direction of the MLS Cup.
What’s the MLS Cup and what’s its format?
Generally known as the top of the North American soccer season, the MLS Cup crowns the MLS champion after a sequence of knockout video games – recognized in North American sports activities as playoffs.
The highest seven groups from every convention robotically make it to the playoffs. The eighth membership in every convention is set via a wildcard playoff between the following two sides in every convention, respectively.
How do the MLS Cup Playoffs work?
The playoffs are performed by convention and the japanese and western winners then meet for the MLS Cup remaining on the finish of the season.
Within the quarterfinals of every convention, groups should win a best-of-three sequence of matches to advance. There are not any combination scores and no ties at that stage. The crew that finishes increased within the league hosts the primary match. Within the case of a draw, the sport goes on to penalty kicks – no additional time.
The convention semifinals, finals and MLS Cup remaining return to the single-game format with attainable additional time earlier than penalties. These video games shall be hosted by the higher-seeded membership.
What’s the schedule of MLS Cup Playoffs?
- First spherical (better of three sequence): Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 10
- Convention semifinals: Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24
- Convention finals: Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1
- Closing: Saturday, December 7
Which groups are within the MLS Cup Playoffs?
Japanese Convention:
- Inter Miami
- Atlanta United
- Orlando Metropolis
- Charlotte FC
- FC Cincinnati
- New York Pink Bulls
- NYCFC
- Columbus Crew
Western Convention:
- LA Galaxy
- LAFC
- Seattle Sounders
- Houston Dynamos
- Colorado Rapids
- Actual Salt Lake
- Minnesota United
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Who’re the 5 high gamers to observe within the MLS Cup 2024?
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): 20 targets, 16 assists
- Luis Suarez (Inter Miami): 20 targets, 9 assists
- Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati): 14 targets, 19 assists
- Denis Bouanga (LA FC): 20 targets, 11 assists
- Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew): 19 targets, 14 assists
How have the groups been drawn within the MLS Cup Playoffs bracket?
The draw for the eight best-of-three quarterfinal video games seems to be like this:
Japanese bracket:
- Inter Miami vs Atlanta United
- Orlando Metropolis vs Charlotte FC
- FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC
- Columbus Crew vs New York Pink Bulls
Western bracket:
- LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Seattle Sounders vs Houston Dynamos
- Actual Salt Lake vs Minnesota United
- LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids
Want a objective or help?
Messi led the way in which. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/EfIgIO94hM
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) October 22, 2024
‘Transformational’ moment: Lionel Messi set for Inter Miami debut
What’s the venue of the 2024 MLS Cup remaining?
By successful the Supporters’ Protect, Inter Miami have received the precise to host the ultimate so long as they continue to be in rivalry for the title-deciding match.
Ought to Miami get knocked out earlier than the ultimate, the crew with the following greatest in-season [league] document that is still within the MLS Cup will host the ultimate.
Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami within the MLS Cup Playoffs?
The Argentinian celebrity has been in scintillating goal-scoring type for Inter Miami since his return from damage and is anticipated to steer them within the best-of-three knockout video games towards Atlanta United.
What’s ‘Messi Cam’ and the way I can watch it?
Whereas on the sector enjoying throughout Miami’s MLS Cup video games, the ahead will put on a particular digital camera on his shirt, which can relay his each transfer on a TikTok livestream on the MLS and Inter Miami channels.
