As MLS is wont to do, the playoff format has been switched up ever so slightly for the 2012 season. Unlike in years past, there are five teams from each conference. The two lowest seeds will play in what is being called the “knockout round” for a chance to play the team with the conference’s best record in the conference semifinals.
2012 MLS Cup Playoffs: Schedule and preview
The MLS Cup Playoffs are upon us with a slight wrinkle in the way they are formatted. Here’s your guide to the festivities.
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The other significant changes are that the conference finals are now two legs as opposed to one and that the MLS Cup Final will be played at the home of the team with the best record. Here’s how the playoffs shake out:
KNOCKOUT ROUND
| Date | Time | Home | Away | Info |
| Oct 31 | 9:00 ET | Chicago Fire | Houston Dynamo | ESPN2/Deportes | TSN2 | RDS2 |
| Nov 1 | 10:30 ET | LA Galaxy | Vancouver Whitecaps | NBCSN | UNI DEP | TSN | RDS2 |
CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
| Date | Home | Away | Info |
| Nov 4 | 3:30 ET Leg 1 | East KO Winner | Sporting Kansas City | NBC |
| Nov 7 | 9:00 ET Leg 2 | Sporting Kansas City | East KO Winner | MLS LIVE | Direct Kick |
| Nov 3 | 8:00 ET Leg 1 | New York Red Bulls | D.C. United | NBCSN | RDS2 |
| Nov 7 | 8:00 ET Leg 2 | D.C. United | New York Red Bulls | NBCSN | TSN2 | RDS2 |
| Date | Home | Away | Info |
| Nov 4 Leg 1 | West KO Winner | San Jose Earthquakes | TV TBD |
| Nov 7 Leg 2 | San Jose Earthquakes | West KO Winner | TV TBD |
| Nov 2 | 10:00 ET Leg 1 | Seattle Sounders | Real Salt Lake | NBCSN |
| Nov 8 | 9:30 ET Leg 2 | Real Salt Lake | Seattle Sounders | TV TBD |
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
| Date | Home | Away | Info |
| Nov 10 Leg 1 | East - Lower Seed | East - Higher Seed | NBC |
| Nov 17 or 18 Leg 2 | East - Higher Seed | East - Lower Seed | TV TBD |
| Date | Home | Away | Info |
| Nov 11 or 12 Leg 1 | West - Lower Seed | West - Higher Seed | TV TBD |
| Nov 17 or 18 Leg 2 | West - Higher Seed | West - Lower Seed | TV TBD |
MLS CUP
| Date | Home | Away | Info |
| Dec 1, 4:30 pm ET | TBD | TBD | ESPN | Telefutura | TSN | RDS |
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