Major League Soccer has officially announced the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs schedule. With D.C. United making a run up the Eastern Conference standings, now sitting in seventh place (one spot below the playoff line) with games in hand, the Black-and-Red will continue striving to punch their ticket to the playoffs in the crucial final weeks of the season.
United last advanced to the playoffs in 2016, but suffered a disappointing defeat in the knockout round, then missed playoffs altogether in 2017. Now, with their remaining 2018 schedule backloaded with home matches at Audi Field and a recent surge in play, United have their sights set on an unlikely rise in to the postseason.
Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule
*Subject to change.
KNOCKOUT ROUND - Oct. 31 and Nov. 1
Conference third seed vs. sixth seed, and fourth seed vs. fifth seed in a single-game elimination match
- Eastern and Western Conference Knockout Round (4 games)
- Wed., Oct. 31
- Wed., Oct. 31
- Thu., Nov. 1
- Thu., Nov. 1
CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS - Nov. 4 & 11
Two-game series, aggregate-goal, home-and-home format between conference top seed vs. lowest advancing seed from Knockout Round and conference second seed vs. highest seed from Knockout Round
- Eastern Conference Semifinal Series: Leg 1 (2 games)
- Sun., Nov. 4
- Sun., Nov. 11
- Eastern Conference Semifinal Series: Leg 2 (2 games)
- Sun., Nov. 4
- Sun., Nov. 11
- Western Conference Semifinal Series: Leg 1 (2 games)
- Sun., Nov. 4
- Sun., Nov. 11
- Western Conference Semifinal Series: Leg 2 (2 games)
- Sun., Nov. 4
- Sun., Nov. 11
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS - Nov. 25 & 29
Two-game series, aggregate-goal, home-and-home format
- Eastern Conference Championship
- Leg 1: Sun., Nov. 25
- Leg 2: Thu., Nov. 29
- Western Conference Championship
- Leg 1: Sun., Nov. 25
- Leg 2: Thu., Nov. 29
2018 MLS CUP - Dec. 8
Hosted at the home venue of the finalist with the best regular season record
- Sat., Dec. 8 - 7:30 PM ET
Click here to read the full announcement, including broadcast info.