MLS To Expand Playoffs To 12 Teams

Soccer is a growing sport in America and the expansion of the MLS is going to cause the expansion of the playoff system as well.

The MLS is experiencing a massive boost in popular and as a result the playoff system that the league operates with will be expanding. As it stands now, the MLS allows 10 teams into the playoffs with a knockout game involving the fourth and fifth place teams playing in a knockout game.

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With the MLS expanding to as many as 24 teams by 2020, the playoff system is going to be allowing more teams in. According to SI.com, 12 teams will be allowed into the playoffs starting next season with the 2015 postseason.

"Major League Soccer’s playoff format will change again in 2015, when 12 teams will vie for the MLS Cup trophy rather than the current 10. An announcement could come as early as next week, according to a source with knowledge of the decision.This year has been the fourth in which 10 clubs have qualified for the postseason and the third featuring a 19-team regular season circuit."

This is phenomenal news for the MLS, as the league is expanding and that means the sport is only getting more popular. With television deals on the rise in sports, the MLS can hope for more coverage from networks like ESPN, NBC and others who can invest not only time and resources into making the sport popular but direct an audience the sports way as well.

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