54 games.26 teams.1 champion.@MaxBretosSports explains everything you need to know about the #MLSisBack Tournament. 📺 https://t.co/ZAerDl5a5U pic.twitter.com/DDkgPG8z9d— LAFC (@LAFC) June 10, 2020
The Return. #MLSisBack on July 8.📰 https://t.co/ZAerDl5a5U pic.twitter.com/FSgOj7WNjg— LAFC (@LAFC) June 10, 2020
The group format will play out like this: mlssoccer.com Orlando City (Hosts), Toronto FC (Eastern Conference Champions) and Atlanta United (U.S. Open Cup Champions) will be the three seeded teams in the East. Seattle Sounders (MLS Cup Champions), LAFC (Supporters Shield Winners) and Real Salt Lake (Next highest Western conference points total) are the three seeded teams for the West. All groups will contain the normal four teams except for Orlando’s Group A which will have six. The draw procedure will take place like this, according to MLSSoccer.com: The names of the remaining two East seeds (Atlanta & Toronto) are each placed in a ball and those two balls mixed together in a pot. A ball is randomly selected by the host and that East team will be designated as Group C seed. The remaining ball in the pot is the Group E seed. Similarly, the names of the three West seeds (LAFC, RSL, Seattle) are each placed in a ball and those three balls are mixed together in a pot. A ball is randomly selected by the host and that West team is assigned as Group B seed. The next selection by the host will be the Group D seed. And the remaining ball will be designated as Group F seed. The top two teams in each group after three matches will advance to the Round of 16, as well as the four best third-place finishers. The remainder of the tournament will play out like the FIFA World Cup, except matches will go straight to penalties if tied after 90 minutes. Thursday’s draw will be broadcast all over MLS’s social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and their official website. Coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage presented by Audi is starting to take shape. It's time to win or go home. The top two teams from each of the six groups earn automatic berths to the Round of 16 and four other wild cards will round out the field: the next four best 3rd-place finishers based on points total (and other tiebreakers, if necessary). Full tournament bracket Group-by-group standings Wild card standings Round of 16 matchups July 25: Orlando City (A1) vs. Montreal Impact (C3) July 25: Philadelphia Union (A2) vs. New England Revolution (C2) July 26: Toronto FC (C1) vs. NYCFC (A3) July 26: Sporting Kansas City (D1) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (B3) July 27: San Jose Earthquakes (B1) vs. Real Salt Lake (D3) July 27: Seattle Sounders (B2) vs. LAFC (F2) July 28: Columbus Crew SC (E1) vs. Minnesota United (D2) July 28: Portland Timbers (F1) vs. FC Cincinnati (E2)