2021 MLS Cup playoffs explained

See main article: 2021 Major League Soccer season.

MLS Cup Playoffs
Year:2021
Country:United States
Canada
Num Teams:14
Defending Champions:Columbus Crew
Champions:New York City FC (1st title)
Runner-Up:Portland Timbers
Semi-Finalist1:Philadelphia Union
Semi-Finalist2:Real Salt Lake
Matches:13
Goals:32
Top Goal Scorer: Valentín Castellanos
Hany Mukhtar
(3 goals each)
Prevseason:2020
Nextseason:2022

The 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs (branded as the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for sponsorship reasons) was the 26th edition of the MLS Cup Playoffs, the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top soccer league in the United States and Canada. The tournament culminated the 2021 MLS regular season. The tournament began on November 20 and concluded with MLS Cup 2021 on December 11.[1]

The Columbus Crew were the defending MLS Cup champions, but failed to qualify for the playoffs after finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference.

The 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs marked the first time since 2004 that no club from Texas qualified, and the first time ever that no club from California qualified.[2]

Qualified teams

Eastern Conference
Western Conference

Conference standings

The top seven teams in the Eastern and Western Conference qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, with the conference champions receiving second round byes. Background colors denote playoff teams, with green also qualifying for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.Eastern ConferenceWestern Conference

Bracket

Note: The higher seeded teams hosted matches, with the MLS Cup host determined by overall points.

First round

The second through fourth seeded teams in each conference hosted the first round matches. The top seeds in each conference got a bye to the Conference Semifinals.

Eastern Conference

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Western Conference

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Conference semifinals

The higher-seeded teams in each match-up hosted the matches.

Eastern Conference

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Western Conference

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Conference finals

The higher-seeded teams in each conference hosted the matches.

Western Conference

MLS Cup 2021

See main article: MLS Cup 2021. The highest-ranked team remaining in the overall table (Portland Timbers) hosted the match.

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerClubGoals[4]
1 Valentín CastellanosNew York City FC3
Hany MukhtarNashville SC
3 Sebastián BlancoPortland Timbers2
Larrys MabialaPortland Timbers
Felipe MoraPortland Timbers
6 Tajon BuchananNew England Revolution1
Adam BuksaNew England Revolution
Jhonder CádizNashville SC
Alexander CallensNew York City FC
Cristian DájomeVancouver Whitecaps FC
Daryl DikeOrlando City SC
Franco FragapaneMinnesota United FC
Dániel GazdagPhiladelphia Union
Jakob GlesnesPhiladelphia Union
Nicolas Isimat-MirinSporting Kansas City
Anderson JulioReal Salt Lake
Talles MagnoNew York City FC
Maximiliano MoralezNew York City FC
Santiago MorenoPortland Timbers
Santiago RodríguezNew York City FC
Johnny RussellSporting Kansas City
Khiry SheltonSporting Kansas City
Bobby WoodReal Salt Lake
Graham ZusiSporting Kansas City

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MLS announces Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs schedule . MLSSoccer.com . September 24, 2021. Major League Soccer. September 9, 2021.
  2. Creditor . Avi . November 7, 2021 . MLS Decision Day: No Playoffs for Defending Champ Columbus, California or Texas Teams . . October 10, 2022.
  3. Web site: Serrano . Rodrigo . New England Revolution first team in MLS to clinch playoff spot . . . September 24, 2021 . September 22, 2021.
  4. Web site: Stats. Major League Soccer. MLSsoccer.com. December 11, 2021.