NEW YORK (November 8, 2021) – Following the most dramatic “Decision Day” in MLS history – one which featured RSL midfielder Damir Kreilach’s 95th-minute stoppage-time stunner at Kansas City to vault Real Salt Lake into the postseason – the 14-team field is now set for the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
In the Western Conference 2v7 matchup, Real Salt Lake (14-14-6, 48 pts., West #7) travels to Seattle to face the Sounders (17-8-9, 60 pts, West #2) on Tuesday, November 23. The Round One matchup kicks off at 8:30 p.m. MT, and will be nationally televised via FS1 / FOX Deportes in the United States, with Canadian broadcasters TSN / TVA Sports airing the match. Additional RSL coverage for that game will occur via ESPN700 AM (English radio), 104.3 La Gran D (Spanish radio) and www.RSL.com.
Real Salt Lake – which won MLS Cup in 2009, before losing in the final in 2013 – advances to the postseason for the 11th time in 14 seasons, and for the third time in the last four years. The Claret-and-Cobalt join Atlanta United as the only MLS teams to have won playoff games in both 2018 and 2019, before each failed to advance during an abbreviated 2020 campaign.
As top seeds in their respective conferences, the New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids have each earned a bye in the first round, while the remaining 12 clubs prepare for Round One of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Major League Soccer today announced the schedule and broadcast details for Round One action that will see the six single-game elimination intraconference matches whittle the playoff field of teams down to eight ahead of the Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals.
In addition, MLS announced Conference Semifinal match details for the Eastern Conference top seed New England Revolution, and the Western Conference top seed Colorado Rapids.
Following a Round One bye, the Rapids will kick off the Conference Semifinals on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, hosting the winner of Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC, live on FOX, FOX Deportes, TSN and TVA Sports (4:30 p.m. ET).
The top team from the MLS regular season, New England will enter the playoffs on Nov. 30, hosting the winner of New York City FC vs. Atlanta United live on FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN and TVA Sports (7:30 p.m. ET).
Further details regarding the Nov. 28 Conference Semifinal doubleheader on ABC and ESPN will be released following Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One action.
For more information about the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, visit www.MLSsoccer.com. **
Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule
Round One (Six Games)
(The No. 1 Eastern Conference seed and the No. 1 Western Conference seed will have a Round One bye. The No. 2 seed will host the No. 7 seed, the No. 3 seed will host the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed)
Saturday, Nov. 20 Doubleheader
**2:30 p.m. ET Philadelphia Union (2) vs. New York Red Bulls(7)
(Univision / TUDN / local English-language broadcast / MLSsoccer.com / MLS App / TSN / TVA Sports)
5 p.m. ET Sporting Kansas City (3) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC(6)
(UniMás / TUDN / local English-language broadcast / MLSsoccer.com / MLS App / TSN / TVA Sports)**
Sunday, Nov. 21 Doubleheader
**3 p.m. ET New York City FC (4) vs. Atlanta United (5)
(ABC / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
5:30 p.m. ET Portland Timbers (4) vs. Minnesota United FC (5)
(ESPN / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)**
Tuesday, Nov. 23
**8 p.m. ET Nashville SC (3) vs. Orlando City SC (6)
(FS1 / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
10:30 p.m. Seattle Sounders FC (2) vs. Real Salt Lake (7)
(FS1 / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)**
Conference Semifinals (Four Games)
**(The No. 1 seed will play the winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5. The winner of No. 2 vs. No. 7 will play the winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6, with the higher-seeded club hosting)
Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day)
4:30 p.m. ET Colorado Rapids (1) vs. Winner of Portland Timbers (4) vs. Minnesota United FC (5)
(FOX / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)**
Sunday, Nov. 28 Doubleheader
**3 p.m. ET To be confirmed following Round One matches
(ABC / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)5:30 p.m. ET To be confirmed following Round One matches
(ESPN / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)**
Tuesday, Nov. 30
**7:30 p.m. ET New England Revolution (1) vs. Winner of New York City FC (4) vs. Atlanta United (5)
(FS1 / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)**
Conference Finals (Two Games)
Saturday, Dec. 4
6:30 p.m. ET (FS1 / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
Sunday, Dec. 5
3 p.m. ET (ABC / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
MLS Cup (One Game)
Saturday, Dec. 11
**3 p.m. ET (ABC / UniMás / TUDN / TSN / TVA Sports)
