After a brief break due to FIFA’s November international window, the Major League Soccer playoffs resume with the conference semifinals.
The road to MLS Cup 2025 is down to eight teams, with all but one of the Round 1 matchups won by the higher-seeded team (and the one upset as a No. 5 seed defeating a 4-seed). A playoff devoid of upsets sets up an intriguing round of matchups featuring the league’s best teams.
For Inter Miami, it’s a ‘Last Dance’-type scenario for Lionel Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammates, with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets set to retire at season’s end. Miami visits FC Cincinnati as it attempts to get Messi yet another trophy. Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union host the only lower seed to prevail in Round 1, New York City FC.
Out West, the Vancouver Whitecaps host Los Angeles FC, which has knocked Vancouver out of the playoffs the previous two seasons. San Diego FC’s quest to complete the greatest expansion season in league history continues when it hosts Minnesota United.
Here’s how USA TODAY Network soccer experts see how conference semifinals of the MLS playoffs will play out, including bonus picks for MLS Cup:
MLS playoff predictions, picks for conference semifinals
FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami
- Safid Deen: Inter Miami
- Jim Reineking: Inter Miami
- Jacob Shames: Inter Miami
- Seth Vertelney: FC Cincinnati
- James Weber: Inter Miami
Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC
- Safid Deen: Philadelphia Union
- Jim Reineking: Philadelphia Union
- Jacob Shames: Philadelphia Union
- Seth Vertelney: New York City FC
- James Weber: Philadelphia Union
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC
- Safid Deen: Los Angeles FC
- Jim Reineking: Vancouver Whitecaps
- Jacob Shames: Vancouver Whitecaps
- Seth Vertelney: Los Angeles FC
- James Weber: Vancouver Whitecaps
San Diego FC vs. Minnesota United
- Safid Deen: San Diego FC
- Jim Reineking: Minnesota United
- Jacob Shames: Minnesota United
- Seth Vertelney: San Diego FC
- James Weber: San Diego FC
MLS Cup 2025
- Safid Deen: Inter Miami over Los Angeles FC
- Jim Reineking: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps
- Jacob Shames: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps
- Seth Vertelney: Los Angeles FC over FC Cincinnati
- James Weber: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps
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