Unpopular playoff format brings serious consequences for MLS

With so little intrigue coming from the opening game of a best-of-three series, fans seem to be sitting out the playoffs until the tension ramps up.

Several MLS players are sitting out the majority of the best-of-three series, too — but they're doing so on suspension after earning straight red cards in Game 1. 

Three separate players — the Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla, NYCFC's Tayvon Gray and Charlotte FC's Pep Biel — were sent off in their opening playoff games. It's a marked increase in violent conduct from the regular season: on Decision Day, the most impactful non-playoff game of the year, there were zero straight reds to speak of.

For Carrasquilla, Gray and Biel, receiving a red card in Game 1 was likely a calculated risk. Each player knew he'd be suspended as a result of his conduct, but each player also knew that suspension would fall during the anticlimactic latter stages of the best-of-three series. If their respective teams qualify for the next round, each man will be ready and available to compete.

MLS pushes this best-of-three series in the opening round of the playoffs for a reason: it provides more games and more chances of upsets. (It's worth mentioning that there was a serious upset in Game 1: the New York Red Bulls defeated the Columbus Crew in Ohio against the odds.) 

But with fixtures from MLS, the U. S. Open Cup, the Leagues Cup and more piling up over the season, MLS fans and players aren't interested in more games that don't matter. They're tiring, slow and increase the odds of teams losing key players to injuries.

The 2024 MLS regular season was a wild ride, and the league's top 16 teams worked hard to make it to this playoff phase. It's a shame the format let them down so spectacularly once they did.

Round 1 of the MLS playoffs continues this Friday with Charlotte hosting Orlando City, who won Game 1, in Game 2.