After higher seeds hosted Game 1, lower seeds host Game 2 in each Round One Best-of-3 series.
With another win, the leading team clinches a Conference Semifinal spot (played Nov. 25-26). If the trailing team wins, Game 3 awaits.
At this stage of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs…
- Two wins: The first team to two wins advances.
 - Win-only: Every Round One game will have a winner; no ties, no aggregate score.
 - PK shootout: If a Round One game is tied after regulation time (90 minutes), no extra time will be played. There will immediately be a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner.
 
All Game 3s listed below are only played if necessary.
Game  | When  | Watch  | 
|---|---|---|
Oct. 29  | ||
Nov. 4  | ||
Game 3: Cincinnati vs. New York  | N/A  | N/A  | 
UPDATE: Cincinnati won 8-7 on PKs; no Game 3 needed
Cincinnati win Game 2
- Win Round One series 2-0
 - Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. Philadelphia (4) or New England (5)
 
New York win Game 2
- Round One series tied 1-1
 - Game 3 played Nov. 11
 
Game  | When  | Watch  | 
|---|---|---|
Oct. 30  | ||
Nov. 7  | ||
Game 3: Orlando vs. Nashville  | Nov. 12 (5 pm ET)  | 
UPDATE: Orlando win 1-0; no Game 3 needed.
Orlando win Game 2
- Win Round One series 2-0
 - Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. Columbus (3) or Atlanta (6)
 
Nashville win Game 2
- Round One series tied 1-1
 - Game 3 played Nov. 12
 
Game  | When  | Watch  | 
|---|---|---|
Nov. 1  | ||
Nov. 7  | ||
Game 3: Columbus vs. Atlanta  | Nov. 12 (7 pm ET)  | 
UPDATE: Atlanta win 4-2, force Game 3
Columbus win Game 2
- Win Round One series 2-0
 - Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. Orlando (2) or Nashville (7)
 
Atlanta win Game 2
- Round One series tied 1-1
 - Game 3 played Nov. 12
 
Game  | When  | Watch  | 
|---|---|---|
Oct. 28  | ||
Game 2: New England vs. Philadelphia  | Nov. 8 (7 pm ET)  | Apple TV - MLS Season Pass, FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN, RDS  | 
Game 3: Philadelphia vs. New England  | Nov. 12 (3 pm ET)  | 
Philadelphia win Game 2
- Win Round One series 2-0
 - Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. Cincinnati (1) or New York (8)
 
New England win Game 2
- Round One series tied 1-1
 - Game 3 played Nov. 12
 
Game  | When  | Watch  | 
|---|---|---|
Oct. 29  | ||
Nov. 5  | ||
Game 3: St. Louis vs. Kansas City  | N/A  | N/A  | 
UPDATE: Kansas City won 2-1; no Game 3 needed
Kansas City win Game 2
- Win Round One series 2-0
 - Advance to Western Conference Semifinal vs. Houston (4) or Salt Lake (5)
 
St. Louis win Game 2
- Round One series tied 1-1
 - Game 3 played Nov. 11
 
Game  | When  | Watch  | 
|---|---|---|
Oct. 30  | ||
Nov. 4  | ||
Game 3: Seattle vs. Dallas  | Nov. 10 (10 pm ET)  | 
UPDATE: Dallas won 3-1, force Game 3
Seattle win Game 2
- Win Round One series 2-0
 - Advance to Western Conference Semifinal vs. LAFC (3) or Vancouver (6)
 
Dallas win Game 2
- Round One series tied 1-1
 - Game 3 played Nov. 10
 
Game  | When  | Watch  | 
|---|---|---|
Oct. 28  | ||
Nov. 5  | ||
Game 3: LAFC vs. Vancouver  | N/A  | N/A  | 
UPDATE: LAFC win 1-0; no Game 3 needed
LAFC win Game 2
- Win Round One series 2-0
 - Advance to Western Conference Semifinal vs. Seattle (2) or Dallas (7)
 
Vancouver win Game 2
- Round One series tied 1-1
 - Game 3 played Nov. 9
 
Game  | When  | Watch  | 
|---|---|---|
Oct. 29  | ||
Nov. 6  | ||
Game 3: Houston vs. Salt Lake  | Nov. 11 (4 pm ET)  | 
UPDATE: RSL win 5-4 on PKs, force Game 3
Houston win Game 2
- Win Round One series 2-0
 - Advance to Western Conference Semifinal vs. St. Louis (1) or Kansas City (8)
 
Salt Lake win Game 2
- Round One series tied 1-1
 - Game 3 played Nov. 11
 

              


