The 2015 playoffs.

The format

How 2015 worked.

Twenty clubs and twelve qualifiers, the top six in each conference in separate brackets. The knockout round paired 3 v 6 and 4 v 5 in single matches at the higher seed; the No. 1 seed then met the lowest surviving seed and the No. 2 seed the other. Conference semifinals and finals were two-legged aggregate series with away goals as the first tiebreaker and the higher seed hosting the second leg; MLS Cup was a single match hosted by the finalist with the better regular-season record.

• Field expanded from 10 to 12 (top six per conference); the knockout round grew to two matches per conference (3 v 6, 4 v 5) with re-seeding into the semifinals.
• New York City FC and Orlando City joined; Chivas USA folded (20 clubs).

1. 01Knockout roundSingle matchOct 28 – Oct 29
2. 02Conference semifinalsTwo legs, aggregateNov 1 – Nov 8
3. 03Conference finalsTwo legs, aggregateNov 22 – Nov 29
4. 04MLS CupSingle matchDec 6

Seeding

Top six per conference by points, seeded 1–6 within the conference. Knockout round: 3 v 6 and 4 v 5; in the semifinals the No. 1 seed met the lowest surviving seed and the No. 2 seed the next-lowest. Series are listed in the order the official bracket drew them (the 3–6 knockout feeding the No. 2 seed above the 4–5 knockout feeding the No. 1 seed).

Hosting

Knockout matches hosted by the 3rd and 4th seeds; higher seed hosted the second leg of each two-legged series; MLS Cup hosted by the finalist with the better regular-season record (Columbus, level with Portland on 53 points and ahead on tiebreakers).

Ties

Aggregate goals over two legs; if level, the away-goals rule; if still level, 30 minutes of extra time (away goals do not count in extra time) then penalty kicks. Single matches went to extra time then penalties.