USA TODAYSat, November 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM UTC·2 min readAfter a brief break due to FIFA's November international window, the Major League Soccer playoffs resume with the conference semifinals.
The road to MLS Cup 2025 is down to eight teams, with all but one of the Round 1 matchups won by the higher-seeded team (and the one upset as a No. 5 seed defeating a 4-seed). A playoff devoid of upsets sets up an intriguing round of matchups featuring the league's best teams.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor Inter Miami, it's a "Last Dance"-type scenario for Lionel Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammates, with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets set to retire at season's end. Miami visits FC Cincinnati as it attempts to get Messi yet another trophy. Supporters' Shield winners Philadelphia Union host the only lower seed to prevail in Round 1, New York City FC.
Out West, the Vancouver Whitecaps host Los Angeles FC, which has knocked Vancouver out of the playoffs the previous two seasons. San Diego FC's quest to complete the greatest expansion season in league history continues when it hosts Minnesota United.
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Here's how USA TODAY Network soccer experts see how conference semifinals of the MLS playoffs will play out, including bonus picks for MLS Cup:
Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.
Vancouver Whitecaps 1, FC Dallas 1, Vancouver wins penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi allows a goal during the penalty kick shootout at Toyota Stadium on Nov. 1. Vancouver's win pushed the Whitecaps in the next round of the playoffs.
Portland Timbers 2, San Diego FC 2, Portland wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 2): The Portland Timbers' Kristoffer Velde celebrates after defeating San Diego FC at Providence Park on Nov. 1. The penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.
Nashville SC 2, Inter Miami 1 (Round 1, Game 2): Nashville SC's Sam Surridge (9) and Inter Miami's Maximiliano Falcón fight for the ball during the second half at Geodis Park on Nov. 1. Nashville evened up the best-of-three series at one win apiece.
Philadelphia Union 3, Chicago Fire 0 (Round 1, Game 2): The Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo scores a goal during the first half at SeatGeek Stadium on Nov. 1. Philadelphia won the best-of-three series with the victory.
Charlotte FC 0, New York City FC 0, Charlotte FC wins penalty shootout 7-6 (Round 1, Game 2): NYCFC's Tayvon Gray (left) and Charlotte FC's Wilfried Zaha fight for the ball during the second half at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 1. Charlotte FC's penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.
Los Angeles FC 2, Austin FC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris punches the ball out on a corner kick during the second half at BMO Stadium on Oct. 29.
New York City FC 1, Charlotte FC 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Charlotte FC's Ashley Westwood has words for New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 28.
Minnesota United 0, Seattle Sounders 0, Minnesota wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 1): Minnesota United players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout at Allianz Field on Oct. 27.
FC Cincinnati 1, Columbus Crew 0 (Round 1, Game 1): FC Cincinnati's Ender Echenique celebrates after a goal scored by teammate Kevin Denkey in the second half against the Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium on Oct. 27.
San Diego FC 2, Portland Timbers 1 (Round 1, Game 1): San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer (10) scores on a header during the first half against Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 26.
Vancouver Whitecaps 3, FC Dallas 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer punches the ball away for a save at BC Place on Oct. 26.
Philadelphia Union 2, Chicago Fire 2, Union win penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 1): The Philadelphia Union's Milan Iloski (32) and Andre Blake have words for Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) during the shootout at Subaru Park on Oct. 26.
Inter Miami 3, Nashville SC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): Lionel Messi scores against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium on Oct. 24. Messi had two goals in the win.
Portland Timbers 3, Real Salt Lake 1 (wild-card match): The Portland Timbers' Felipe Mora (9) and Kamal Miller (4) celebrate after the win at Providence Park on Oct. 22.
Chicago Fire 3, Orlando City 1 (wild-card match): The Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers (9) scores past Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the second half at SeatGeek Stadium on Oct. 22.1 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.1 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.2 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Vancouver Whitecaps 1, FC Dallas 1, Vancouver wins penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi allows a goal during the penalty kick shootout at Toyota Stadium on Nov. 1. Vancouver's win pushed the Whitecaps in the next round of the playoffs.3 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Portland Timbers 2, San Diego FC 2, Portland wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 2): The Portland Timbers' Kristoffer Velde celebrates after defeating San Diego FC at Providence Park on Nov. 1. The penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.4 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Nashville SC 2, Inter Miami 1 (Round 1, Game 2): Nashville SC's Sam Surridge (9) and Inter Miami's Maximiliano Falcón fight for the ball during the second half at Geodis Park on Nov. 1. Nashville evened up the best-of-three series at one win apiece.5 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Philadelphia Union 3, Chicago Fire 0 (Round 1, Game 2): The Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo scores a goal during the first half at SeatGeek Stadium on Nov. 1. Philadelphia won the best-of-three series with the victory.6 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Charlotte FC 0, New York City FC 0, Charlotte FC wins penalty shootout 7-6 (Round 1, Game 2): NYCFC's Tayvon Gray (left) and Charlotte FC's Wilfried Zaha fight for the ball during the second half at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 1. Charlotte FC's penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.
7 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Los Angeles FC 2, Austin FC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris punches the ball out on a corner kick during the second half at BMO Stadium on Oct. 29.8 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
New York City FC 1, Charlotte FC 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Charlotte FC's Ashley Westwood has words for New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 28.9 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Minnesota United 0, Seattle Sounders 0, Minnesota wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 1): Minnesota United players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout at Allianz Field on Oct. 27.10 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
FC Cincinnati 1, Columbus Crew 0 (Round 1, Game 1): FC Cincinnati's Ender Echenique celebrates after a goal scored by teammate Kevin Denkey in the second half against the Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium on Oct. 27.11 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
San Diego FC 2, Portland Timbers 1 (Round 1, Game 1): San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer (10) scores on a header during the first half against Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 26.12 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Vancouver Whitecaps 3, FC Dallas 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer punches the ball away for a save at BC Place on Oct. 26.13 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Philadelphia Union 2, Chicago Fire 2, Union win penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 1): The Philadelphia Union's Milan Iloski (32) and Andre Blake have words for Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) during the shootout at Subaru Park on Oct. 26.14 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Inter Miami 3, Nashville SC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): Lionel Messi scores against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium on Oct. 24. Messi had two goals in the win.
15 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Portland Timbers 3, Real Salt Lake 1 (wild-card match): The Portland Timbers' Felipe Mora (9) and Kamal Miller (4) celebrate after the win at Providence Park on Oct. 22.16 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Chicago Fire 3, Orlando City 1 (wild-card match): The Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers (9) scores past Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the second half at SeatGeek Stadium on Oct. 22.MLS playoff predictions, picks for conference semifinals
FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami
Safid Deen: Inter Miami
Jim Reineking: Inter Miami
Jacob Shames: Inter Miami
Seth Vertelney: FC Cincinnati
James Weber: Inter Miami
Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC
Safid Deen: Philadelphia Union
Jim Reineking: Philadelphia Union
Jacob Shames: Philadelphia Union
Seth Vertelney: New York City FC
James Weber: Philadelphia Union
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC
Safid Deen: Los Angeles FC
Jim Reineking: Vancouver Whitecaps
Jacob Shames: Vancouver Whitecaps
Seth Vertelney: Los Angeles FC
James Weber: Vancouver Whitecaps
San Diego FC vs. Minnesota United
Safid Deen: San Diego FC
Jim Reineking: Minnesota United
Jacob Shames: Minnesota United
Seth Vertelney: San Diego FC
James Weber: San Diego FC
MLS Cup 2025
Safid Deen: Inter Miami over Los Angeles FC
Jim Reineking: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps
Jacob Shames: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps
Seth Vertelney: Los Angeles FC over FC Cincinnati
James Weber: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS playoff bracket predictions, 2025 MLS Cup picks
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