MLS playoffs conference semifinals preview and predictions
Just eight teams remain in the 2021 MLS Cup playoffs, and we break down and predict all four of this week's conference semifinal matchups.
2021 Schedule
NENE030/114:30 PM
0New York City FCNYC- New York City FCNYC2FT
0ATLATL - New York City FCNYC1FT
1PHIPHI 
MIAMIA1FT3New York City FCNYC- New York City FCNYC1FT
0CHICHI - New York City FCNYC6FT
0DCDC - ATLATL1FT1New York City FCNYC
NYNY1FT0New York City FCNYC- New York City FCNYC0FT
0NSHNSH - CHICHI2FT0New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC0FT1NYNY
- NYNY1FT1New York City FCNYC
CINCIN1FT2New York City FCNYC- New York City FCNYC3FT
3DALDAL - NENE2FT1New York City FCNYC
- NSHNSH3FT1New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC2FT0NENE
- PHIPHI1FT0New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC2FT0MIAMIA
- New York City FCNYC1FT-Pens
1UNAMUNAM 
TORTOR2FT2New York City FCNYC- CHICHI0FT0New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC4FT
1CLBCLB - New York City FCNYC5FT
0ORLORL - New York City FCNYC1FT
0MTLMTL - CLBCLB2FT1New York City FCNYC
2021 Schedule
- CLBCLB217/7FT
1New York City FCNYC - New York City FCNYC121/7FT0MTLMTL
- New York City FCNYC525/7FT0ORLORL
- New York City FCNYC430/7FT1CLBCLB
- CHICHI04/8FT0New York City FCNYC
- TORTOR27/8FT2New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC111/8FT-Pens1UNAMUNAM
- New York City FCNYC214/8FT0MIAMIA
- PHIPHI118/8FT0New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC228/8FT0NENE
- NSHNSH33/9FT1New York City FCNYC
- NENE211/9FT1New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC314/9FT3DALDAL
- CINCIN118/9FT2New York City FCNYC
- NYNY122/9FT1New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC025/9FT1NYNY
- CHICHI229/9FT0New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC03/10FT0NSHNSH
- NYNY117/10FT0New York City FCNYC
- ATLATL120/10FT1New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC623/10FT0DCDC
- New York City FCNYC127/10FT0CHICHI
- MIAMIA130/10FT3New York City FCNYC
- New York City FCNYC17/11FT1PHIPHI
- New York City FCNYC221/11FT0ATLATL
- NENE030/11h:mm a z, US/Eastern0New York City FCNYC
NYCFC advances past Atlanta United (1:17)
Castellanos, NYCFC best Atlanta in MLS playoffs
Golden Boot winner Valentin Castellanos scored his first MLS playoff goal to lead New York City FC to a Round 1 win over Atlanta United.
Alexander Callens doubles NYCFC's tally over Atlanta United (0:39)
MLS playoffs Round 1 preview and predictions
With a wildly dramatic Decision Day behind us, ESPN breaks down every Round 1 matchup of the MLS Cup playoffs and predicts who will be moving on.
Who will be the difference-maker in NYCFC vs. Atlanta? (0:28)
MLS playoffs set; Castellanos wins Golden Boot
The 2021 MLS Cup playoff bracket is set following the last round of regular-season matches on Decision Day on Sunday.
Philadelphia Union, NYCFC play to 1-1 draw
Kacper Przybylko scored the lone goal for the Philadelphia Union as they played to a 1-1 draw Sunday against host New York City FC.
Valentin Castellanos tallies his 19th goal of season (0:49)
MLS Cup playoffs: Who's in, who's out and the matchups if the postseason began today
Twelve teams are fighting for six MLS Cup playoff places on Decision Day, and we break down how each club can confirm their spot in the postseason.
MLS Power Rankings: NYCFC getting hot at the right time
New York City FC followed up a six-game winless run by winning three straight, by a combined score of 10-1, to rocket up our MLS Power Rankings.
NYCFC ends Inter Miami's MLS playoff hopes
Valentin Castellanos had two goals and an assist to help New York City FC record a 3-1 win against host Inter Miami CF on Saturday.
Castellanos' brace puts him atop MLS Golden Boot race (1:27)
MLS Cup playoffs: Who's in, who's out and the matchups if the postseason began today
There's barely a week left in the 2021 season, so we've looked at the table as of today to get a sense of how the MLS Cup playoffs could shape up.
Valentin Castellanos' goal lifts NYCFC past Fire
Valentin Castellanos scored on a penalty kick in the 51st minute as New York City FC boosted its playoff chances in a win over the Chicago Fire.
NYCFC stay in fourth after 1-0 win (0:31)
MLS Designated Players: Which teams are getting the most bang for their buck in 2021?
While roster rules have evolved, being an MLS designated player still holds a certain level of expectations (and salary). Are teams spending wisely?
Valentin Castellanos leads NYCFC's blitz of D.C. United
Valentin Castellanos scored twice in the first 11 minutes as NYCFC struck for four goals before halftime and cruised to a pivotal 6-0 win.
NYCFC thrashes D.C. United with six-goal effort (2:24)
MLS Cup playoffs: Who's in, who's out and the matchups if the postseason began today
There's less than a month left in the season, so we've looked at the table as of today to get a sense of how the MLS Cup playoffs could shape up.
NYCFC ends scoreless drought in draw vs. Atlanta
Substitute Gudmunder Thorarinsson scored on a free kick as NYCFC and Atalanta played to a draw in MLS.
NYCFC ends 509-minute scoreless streak in draw vs. Atlanta (1:56)
Red Bulls top NYCFC to continue playoff push
The New York Red Bulls continued their playoff push by holding on for a 1-0 win over New York City FC on Cristian Casseres Jr.'s third-minute goal.
Red Bulls hold on to beat NYCFC (0:43)
MLS Cup playoffs: The matchups if the postseason began today
There's less than a month left in the season, so we've looked at the table as of today to get a sense of how the MLS Cup playoffs could shape up.
2021 MLS Table
| East | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Revolution | 34 | 22 | 7 | 5 | +24 | 73 |
| Philadelphia Union | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | +13 | 54 |
| Nashville SC | 34 | 12 | 18 | 4 | +22 | 54 |
| New York City FC | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | +20 | 51 |
| Atlanta United FC | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | +8 | 51 |
| Orlando City SC | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | +2 | 51 |
| New York Red Bulls | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | +6 | 48 |
| DC United | 34 | 14 | 5 | 15 | +2 | 47 |
| Columbus Crew | 34 | 13 | 8 | 13 | +1 | 47 |
| CF Montréal | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | +2 | 46 |
| Inter Miami CF | 34 | 12 | 5 | 17 | -17 | 41 |
| Chicago Fire FC | 34 | 9 | 7 | 18 | -18 | 34 |
| Toronto FC | 34 | 6 | 10 | 18 | -27 | 28 |
| FC Cincinnati | 34 | 4 | 8 | 22 | -37 | 20 |
| West | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Colorado Rapids | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | +16 | 61 |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 17 | 9 | 8 | +20 | 60 |
| Sporting Kansas City | 34 | 17 | 7 | 10 | +18 | 58 |
| Portland Timbers | 34 | 17 | 4 | 13 | +4 | 55 |
| Minnesota United FC | 34 | 13 | 10 | 11 | -2 | 49 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 34 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 49 |
| Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | +1 | 48 |
| LA Galaxy | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | -4 | 48 |
| LAFC | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | +2 | 45 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | -8 | 41 |
| FC Dallas | 34 | 7 | 12 | 15 | -9 | 33 |
| Austin FC | 34 | 9 | 4 | 21 | -21 | 31 |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 34 | 6 | 12 | 16 | -18 | 30 |
2021 Team LeadersMajor League Soccer
- Goals
- Assists
RankingsMajor League Soccer
Goal Difference223rd
Goals Scored58Tied-4th
Assists39Tied-7th
Goals Conceded366th