Major League Soccer to use points per game for playoff seedings

As had been expected throughout October, Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that the North American top-flight is going to a points-per-game system to determine playoff places and seedings for the season held amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

MLS halted the season after two matchdays in March because of the health crisis and then returned with the "MLS is Back" tournament held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from July 8 through Aug. 11. The league then resumed a version of the regular season that included in-market matches for most clubs in August. 

Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Montreal Impact temporarily relocated to cities in the United States due to the border that divides the U.S. and Canada remaining closed to nonessential personnel for the foreseeable future. 

Multiple games have been postponed and, ultimately, canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests and subsequent quarantines. A coronavirus outbreak within the Colorado Rapids has cost that team several matches during the resumption. 

The regular season is scheduled to end on Nov. 8, with MLS Cup Final set for Dec. 12. The top 10 teams from the Eastern Conference and the top eight sides from the Western Conference qualify for the playoffs. 

Heading into Thursday evening, the Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC, Columbus Crew, Orlando City, New York City FC, Nashville SC, New York Red Bulls, and New England Revolution have clinched postseason berths out of the East. Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, Portland Timbers, LAFC, and Minnesota United have earned playoff spots among Western Conference teams.