First Round Schedule Set for 2022 MLS Next Pro Playoffs
Published on September 18, 2022 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) News Release
NEW YORK CITY - After a dramatic MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day on Sunday, the final eight-team field is set for the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. Going into the last day of the regular season on Sunday, three of the four spots in the Eastern Conference were up for grabs. While the four spots in the Western Conference had already been clinched, Sunday's results determined seeding for those clubs.
The first round of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, the Conference Semifinals, will take place Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, at the home of the two higher-seeded teams in each conference.
The Conference Semifinals schedule is as follows:
Eastern Conference
Saturday, September 24
Columbus Crew 2 (1) vs. Rochester New York FC (4) - Historic Crew Stadium (3:00 p.m. ET)
Toronto FC II (2) vs. Philadelphia Union II (3) - BMO Field (7:00 p.m. ET)
Western Conference
Sunday, September 25
St Louis CITY2 (1) vs. North Texas SC (4) - TBD (7:30 p.m. ET)
Tacoma Defiance (2) vs. Houston Dynamo 2 (3) - Starfire Sports Complex (10:30 p.m. ET)
Fans will be able to watch every match of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs live via enhanced broadcasts on mlsnextpro.com.
Within each conference, the two Division Champions plus the two teams with the next-highest point totals qualified for the Playoffs. In the Eastern Conference, Columbus Crew 2 claimed the Central Division title while Toronto FC II won the Northeast. Crew 2 finished the regular season with the best record in the League (55 points, 16-3-5) and as such will hold homefield advantage for the duration of the Playoffs. In the Western Conference, Tacoma Defiance won the Pacific Division and St Louis CITY2 clinched the Frontier Division and the top seed in the conference.
The 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs will continue the weekend of October 1 with the Eastern and Western Conference Finals and will culminate with the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup on October 8.
MLS NEXT Pro Stories from September 18, 2022
- Tacoma Defiance Falls to Portland in Regular Season Finale, Set to Face Houston in Western Conference Semifinals - Tacoma Defiance
- First Round Schedule Set for 2022 MLS Next Pro Playoffs - MLS NEXT Pro
- Colorado Rapids 2 Round Out Inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Season - Colorado Rapids 2
- MNUFC2 Loses 4-1 to Earthqakes II in Final Match of the Season - Minnesota United FC 2
- Columbus Crew 2's Jacen Russell-Rowe Wins 2022 MLS Next Pro Golden Boot - MLS NEXT Pro
- SKC II Picks up Extra Point in Shootout Win at St Louis CITY2 in the Team's 2022 MLS NEXT Pro FinaleÃâà- Sporting Kansas City II
- Real Monarchs Finish Season with 2-1 Win Over Colorado Rapids 2 - Real Monarchs
- Mondi Magic Lifts Monarchs to Victory - Real Monarchs
- Inter Miami CF II Falls 1-0 on the Road in Final 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season MatchÃâà- Inter Miami CF II
- Revolution II Fall to Philadelphia Union II, 3-1 - New England Revolution II
- Union II secure 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Playoff spot - Philadelphia Union II
- Orlando City B Falls to Toronto FC II - Orlando City B
- Tacoma Defiance Hosts Timbers2 in Regular Season Finale - Tacoma Defiance
- MNUFC2 vs. Earthquakes II Preview - Minnesota United FC 2
- FC Cincinnati 2 Close out MLS NEXT Pro Season against Columbus Crew 2 - FC Cincinnati 2
- Savarino's Offensive Spark Not Enough Against FC CincinnatiÃâà- Real Monarchs
- Real Salt Lake Fall at Home - Real Monarchs
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