2023 MLS playoffs: times, how to watch on TV and stream online

The next phase of the 2023 MLS season get underway Wednesday with two wild card matchups. Cincinnati and St. Louis City will face the winners.

Diego Mayel Ibarradiegoibarra21Andy HallEstados UnidosUpdate: Oct 25th, 2023 05:24 EDT

MATT KELLEYAFP

The 2023 MLS wild card matches get underway Wednesday, marking the start of the playoffs. Under the new format, this evening’s single-match ties pits the eighth- and ninth-best teams in both conferences against each other with the winners qualifying for the First Round playoffs.

Expectation is high as the New York Red Bulls take on newcomers Charlotte FC (Eastern Conference) while Sporting Kansas City and the San José Earthquakes (Western Conference) will head into battle at Children’s Mercy Park. The winners from today’s wild card matchups will enter Round One where Cincinnati and St. Louis City await.

2023 MLS Wild Card bracket

East

New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte FC (winners will face Cincinnati)

West

Sporting Kansas City vs San José Earthquakes (winners will face St Louis City)

🗣️ LET'S GOOOOThe Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs kick off tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/2kiR5Beddw

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 25, 2023

Getting the action underway, the New York Red Bulls host the North Carolina team at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. Troy Lesesne’s troops edged Nashville SC 0-1 on Decision Day, while those led by Christian Lattanzio beat Messi’s Inter Miami 1-0 in Week 38.

Not long after the final whistle is blown in NJ, the second wild card match will kick off at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. The hosts, under Peter Vermes’ command beat Minnesota with Johnny Russell bagging a brace in the 3-1 win. Luis González’s team meanwhile ended the regular season with a 1-1 draw against Austin FC to clinch ninth place in the East by one point.

What time are the Wild Card Matches played in the 2023 MLS Playoffs?

The 2023 Wild Card games will be played on Wednesday, October 25.

2023 MLS Wild Card games: kick-off times

New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte FC

Red Bull Arena, New JerseyKick-off: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Sporting Kansas City vs San José Earthquakes

Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas CityKick-off: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

How to watch the Wild Card Matches in the 2023 MLS Playoffs live online?