Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union II Communications

After playing 17 games of the season’s 28, Philadelphia Union II lie in first place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. Since past behavior of the Union organization’s technical staff makes it clear they value all postseason playoffs as teaching and evaluating devices, PSP has discovered what it can about 2024’s playoffs.

Not only is Union II first in its conference, at this writing in the league overall it lies two points ahead of St. Louis and North Texas. Each of those holds a game in hand over Union II. At the moment those three teams are jockeying for the race’s lead.

From February 8, 2024’s article (click here)

2024’s MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs again features the “pick-your-opponent” format that debuted in 2023. Participation has expanded by 12 ½ %. Two more teams will qualify, two more teams will select their first-round opponents, and two more knockout matches will be played. The two conference top seeds no longer have a bye.

In the two opening conference quarterfinal rounds eight teams will qualify, with seeds one through three selecting and hosting their first-round opponents. Seed four will host the unselected lower-seed qualifier.

In the conference semifinals, the highest remaining seed will select and host an opponent from the surviving three teams, with the remaining two survivors playing at the home of the higher seed.

This year’s postseason totals 15 matches, seven in each conference plus the championship (MLS NEXT Pro Cup). The championship will be played at the higher seeded team, so finishing first overall would matter if seedings were to hold perfectly.

The bracket

Standings (as of Friday, July 12, 2024 6:00 PM ET)

If the playoffs began Friday, July 12, 2024

In the East,

• Union II would choose among Crown Legacy, NY Red Bull, Columbus, or NYC FC.
• Cincinnati would choose from the remaining three.
• Chicago would choose from the remaining two.
• Chattanooga would play the remaining one.

In the West

• Because St. Louis holds the first tie-breaker, it would choose among Los Angles FC, Tacoma, Kansas City, or Town FC
• North Texas would choose from the remaining three.
• Vancouver would choose among the remaining two.
• Ventura County would play the remaining one.

Footnotes (First team affiliations or independents)

[i] Dallas’s farm team

[ii] Independent

[iii] LA Galaxy;s farm team, formerly nicknamed Los Dos.

[iv] Charlotte FC’s farm team

[v] Seattle’s farm team

[vi] San Jose’s farm team

[vii] Independent

[viii] Nashville’s farm team