By Cesar Hernandez and Joseph Lowery
Nov. 9, 2025
After a 16-day opening slate, MLS Cup playoffs Round 1 wrapped Sunday as the international break begins. The early narrative is clear: the higher seeds mostly advanced, Lionel Messi carried Inter Miami into the conference semifinals for the first time in his MLS career, and a half-dozen penalty shootouts supplied classic postseason drama. Here are the biggest takeaways from the opening round.
The favorites largely held
Expectations for shocks were disappointed. In the West the top four seeds — San Diego FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, LAFC and Minnesota United FC — all prevailed over lower-seeded opponents, with LAFC and Vancouver closing their series in two matches. In the East there was one lower-seed upset: No. 5 New York City FC knocked out No. 4 Charlotte FC, but the major contenders in the conference remain the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami, each still very much title threats.
In a league known for parity, surprises can happen, but this first round mostly read chalk. — Hernandez
Scheduling stumbles
MLS’ hybrid playoff design — a best-of-three opening round that pauses for an international break before single-elimination rounds — continues to draw criticism. The series create compelling storylines, but the calendar around them felt haphazard this year.
Inter Miami kicked off Round 1 on Friday, Oct. 24, after which there were few Saturday fixtures. The rest of the opening week was scattered: one day had three matches, others had one, and games even fell on a Wednesday. That produced a disjointed broadcast slate that probably confused neutral viewers and disrupted any postseason rhythm. It also created uneven rest: some clubs had only three days between games one and two while others enjoyed a full week.
The postseason should be MLS’ showcase; this year the league missed a chance to stage it more coherently. — Lowery
MVPs of the round
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Messi was the round’s standout. Coming off a historic regular season and the heavy favorite for MLS MVP, he continued his form in Miami’s three-game series with Nashville SC, scoring five goals and adding an assist. His trademark through ball and incisive pressing helped spark Miami’s defense in the 4-0 clincher. Even with suspended teammate Luis Suárez unavailable in the decisive match, Messi carried the side — at 38 he still looks unplayable and determined after last year’s early exit.
Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC
While Messi tops the list, Anders Dreyer deserved special mention for a superb series. He delivered the first-leg winner against the Portland Timbers, created an assist in game two and then netted a brace in San Diego’s 4-0 series-clinching victory. Snapdragon Stadium made its feelings known, chanting “MVP” as Dreyer celebrated corners and goals. He looks poised to be a focal point as San Diego prepares to host Minnesota next.
Moment of the round
Loons vs. Sounders shootout
Round 1 produced six penalty shootouts deciding single-game winners, but Minnesota United’s decider against the Seattle Sounders was the most memorable. The match went to penalties, Seattle subbed on goalkeeper Andrew Thomas as a shootout specialist — and he dislocated a finger during the first round — and the duel stretched into sudden death. Minnesota keeper Dayne St. Clair took and converted his spot kick. Thomas followed, struck his attempt hard, and the ball smashed the crossbar, bounced in and out in a heart-stopping sequence before Minnesota prevailed 7-6. A crushing night for Seattle, euphoric for the Loons, and a shootout for the ages. — Hernandez
Brenner’s return changes Cincinnati’s trajectory
Brenner’s time in Cincinnati has been a roller-coaster: a high-profile signing in 2021, an unhappy exit in 2023, and a surprise return in the 2025 summer window. He announced his comeback in dramatic fashion during the Hell Is Real series-decider with Columbus Crew, first leveling the match in front of a packed TQL Stadium and then scoring the 86th-minute winner. A high press created the opportunity; Brenner used an outside-of-the-foot touch to shake off last year’s Defender of the Year Steven Moreira and finished clinically. His shirtless celebration — which revealed his GPS tracker — capped a dramatic homecoming and sent Cincinnati into the Eastern Conference semifinals. — Lowery
What’s next
The top seeds that advanced now prepare for single-elimination conference semifinals after the international break. With favorites still standing, and a handful of players riding hot streaks, the next phase promises fewer games but higher stakes. Expect more tight margins, intense atmospheres and, potentially, more dramatic shootouts to come.
