Union
Finally, the MLS Cup playoffs have begun. However, in 2023, MLS made a controversial decision to change the playoff format. In previous seasons, MLS used a classic bracket-style tournament to crown its league champion. Now, the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs has teams facing off in a best-of-3 series to advance.
Does this format actually work is it just an MLS cash grab?
Pure Entertainment
A series of games adds drama. Fans see a rivalry be born in other professional leagues, such as the NBA, MLB, and NHL. These leagues have long series that give birth to some of the greatest sports moments ever.
A perfect example is this year’s matchup between the Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire. The Union and Fire are not rivals, nor do they have a storied history against one another. However, game 1 of the series last Saturday had all the tension a heated rivalry has. A shootout in the midst of taunting and a late-game red card for an altercation. Now, the series goes to Chicago with the Fire having their backs against the wall to stay alive. It’s pure entertainment, and entertainment grows the league.
Poor Execution
A major issue with the 3-game series is not the concept, but the execution. The scheduling of round 1 this season has been abysmal. MLS holds a majority of its games every week at the same time. That is 7 PM Eastern every Saturday. MLS did not hold a single game on Saturday during the first games of the series.
Scheduling has been awful, not just for viewing, but for teams as well. Charlotte FC earned a higher seed than NYCFC this season. However, Charlotte’s reward for that was hosting game 1 on a Tuesday night with below-average attendance. A fact that did not sit well with Charlotte manager Dean Smith after losing 1-0.
At the end of the day, crucial playoff games should not be played on a random Tuesday afternoon. Especially for a league trying to compete with the likes of the MLB and NFL. The first round of the playoffs should also not need to last 3 weeks.
Does the 3 Match Series Work?
Ultimately, whether the MLS’s switch to a 3-Match series to kick off the MLS Cup playoffs is working or not depends on who you ask. Surely MLS is loving the revenue extra playoff games bring. Not just for hosting actual games but for broadcasting as well. For fans, the drama of a rivalry being born or the atmosphere of a win-or-go-home game is fantastic.
However, the series’ seems to get scheduled with no rhyme or reason. Earning a higher seed in the regular season becomes less of an advantage when you have to travel away from home anyway. Especially when your home field advantage falls on a day of the week when attendance will be low.
Just like with everything else, when it works, it is great. When it doesn’t, it can get ugly. Major League Soccer is not a dominant force in the American sports circle, yet. Admire the league trying efforts to explode in popularity, but be wary when it comes at the expense of the product. The previous classic style tournament worked, and it gave birth to iconic league moments. The rest of the MLS Cup playoffs is played under that format; why should round 1 be any different?
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