The 1999playoffs.

The format

How 1999 worked.

Same structure as 1998: top four per conference, best-of-three conference semifinals and finals, single-match MLS Cup at a predetermined venue. It was the last playoff run decided by the MLS shootout; the final itself was the first league match played without it.

• Final season of the MLS shootout in the playoffs; MLS Cup 1999 was the first match without it.
• Both conference finals went to a third game; the conference semifinals ran over eight days (Oct 16–27).

1. 01Conference semifinalsBest of three · Games level after 90 minutes were decided by the MLS 35-yard shootout (decidedBy 'so'); Wikipedia's boxes label these 'penalties'.Oct 16 – 27
2. 02Conference finalsBest of threeOct 31 – Nov 13
3. 03MLS CupSingle matchNov 21

Seeding

Seeded 1–4 within each conference on regular-season points (3 for a win, 1 for a shootout win). Pairings E1 v E4, E2 v E3, W1 v W4, W2 v W3.

Hosting

1-1-1 series: the higher seed hosted Game 1 and any Game 3; the lower seed hosted Game 2. MLS Cup at Foxboro Stadium; it had been planned for Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, but the Mutiny's lease problems led MLS to move it.

Ties

Through the conference finals a game level after 90 minutes went to the MLS shootout. MLS Cup 1999 was played under the new rules (standard clock, no shootout) with golden-goal overtime and penalties available.