Toronto FC: The impact of the new MLS playoff format

MLS has announced a new playoff structure for the 2019 season, but what does this mean for Toronto FC and the rest of the league?

We suggested on Saturday that the NHL should change their playoff format, after growing criticism from players, media and fans alike. Well, MLS has now taken such a step, but how will it impact Toronto FC and the rest of the league?

In truth, the playoff structure in MLS was not as bad as the NHL. Regardless, as reported by Tom Bogert of MLSsoccer.com, things will be different starting in 2019.

Starting from next season, 14 of the 24 teams (including expansion side FC Cincinnati) will qualify for the playoffs. Between 2015 and this year, 12 teams made it through to the postseason.

I’ll admit I’ve never been a big fan of having too many teams make the playoffs. Yes, it provides more fans bases the opportunity to dream of going all the way, but it makes the regular season less important.

More from Toronto FC

• Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
• Toronto FC remodel continues with departure of Alejandro Pozuelo
• Toronto FC looking to move on from Carlos Salcedo
• As Lorenzo Insigne arrives, Toronto FC looks to get back on track
• Toronto FC: 3 takeaways from 2-1 loss to Columbus Crew

One of the most extreme examples of this was when 16 of the 21 NHL teams qualified for the playoffs; to me, this was just farcical. The CFL isn’t much better right now, with six of the nine teams qualifying.

Having said that, 14 of 24 doesn’t sound nearly as bad. And with plans to expand to 28 teams sooner than later, this would provide balance with half of the teams qualifying for the playoffs.

With the new format, only one team from each conference will be given a bye. This is good, in that it helps re-emphasis the importance of winning.

Along those lines, home field advantage will become a bigger deal, as there will no longer be any two-legged affairs and the higher seeds will always be at home. It’s one and done, and only makes the playoffs even more exciting.

One quirk which will be intriguing, is that after the initial ranking for the playoffs, there will be no reseeding. For example, as noted by Bogert, if the number 7 seed beats the number 2 seed, they still face the winner of number. 3 vs. number. 6, regardless of other results.

While being fine with the previous playoff format, one of the biggest pluses about the new structure is fewer games. For example, when the Seattle Sounders won the MLS Cup in 2016, they played six playoff games; now, the most you will play is four.

Where this really helps is that there will be no need to have the MLS playoffs stretched out and broken up. The playoffs will now be completed between the October and November FIFA international breaks; this only helps the league become (and sound) more legitimate.

For Toronto FC in particular, this means less chance of freezing conditions, if and when they next host the MLS Cup final. When they hosted the Sounders in 2016, the ground temperature was reported as −5 °C (23 °F) at kickoff, with an estimated wind chill of −12 °C (10 °F).

It wasn’t much better in 2017, with a temperature of 1 °C (34 °F) and a reported wind chill of −7 °C (19 °F). While November in Toronto is still cold, it would be an improvement for fans attending the match.

Overall, there is little to dislike about the new playoff structure, while also showing the willingness to make moves in an attempt to improve the league. Gary Bettman and the NHL should take note…

What is your take on the new playoff format? Do you agree with it or not, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.