MLS playoff predictions for conference final games, MLS Cup

MLS playoff predictions for conference final games, MLS Cup

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Story byUSA TODAYSat, November 29, 2025 at 11:01 AM UTC·1 min read

The road to MLS Cup 2025 has reached its final four.

Here's what's on tap:

• Inter Miami vs. New York City FC — Saturday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. ET (Apple TV)

• San Diego FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps — Saturday, Nov. 29 at 9 p.m. ET (Apple TV)

In the Eastern Conference final, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami host the biggest underdog left in what has been a very chalk MLS Cup Playoffs, New York City FC. NYCFC — the conference's No. 5 seed — has upset Charlotte FC and the Supporters' Shield-winning Philadelphia Union en route to Saturday's showdown in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Messi and Miami would host MLS Cup on Saturday, Dec. 6 with a win.

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In the Western Conference final, San Diego FC is on a quest to complete the greatest expansion season in league history. Standing in their way on Saturday are the Vancouver Whitecaps. In their 15-season MLS existence, this is the furthest in the playoffs that the Whitecaps have progressed.

Here's how USA TODAY Network soccer experts see how conference finals of the MLS playoffs will play out, including bonus picks for MLS Cup:

Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.Vancouver Whitecaps 1, FC Dallas 1, Vancouver wins penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi allows a goal during the penalty kick shootout at Toyota Stadium on Nov. 1. Vancouver's win pushed the Whitecaps in the next round of the playoffs.Portland Timbers 2, San Diego FC 2, Portland wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 2): The Portland Timbers' Kristoffer Velde celebrates after defeating San Diego FC at Providence Park on Nov. 1. The penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.Nashville SC 2, Inter Miami 1 (Round 1, Game 2): Nashville SC's Sam Surridge (9) and Inter Miami's Maximiliano Falcón fight for the ball during the second half at Geodis Park on Nov. 1. Nashville evened up the best-of-three series at one win apiece.Philadelphia Union 3, Chicago Fire 0 (Round 1, Game 2): The Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo scores a goal during the first half at SeatGeek Stadium on Nov. 1. Philadelphia won the best-of-three series with the victory.

Charlotte FC 0, New York City FC 0, Charlotte FC wins penalty shootout 7-6 (Round 1, Game 2): NYCFC's Tayvon Gray (left) and Charlotte FC's Wilfried Zaha fight for the ball during the second half at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 1. Charlotte FC's penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.

Los Angeles FC 2, Austin FC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris punches the ball out on a corner kick during the second half at BMO Stadium on Oct. 29.New York City FC 1, Charlotte FC 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Charlotte FC's Ashley Westwood has words for New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 28.Minnesota United 0, Seattle Sounders 0, Minnesota wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 1): Minnesota United players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout at Allianz Field on Oct. 27.FC Cincinnati 1, Columbus Crew 0 (Round 1, Game 1): FC Cincinnati's Ender Echenique celebrates after a goal scored by teammate Kevin Denkey in the second half against the Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium on Oct. 27.San Diego FC 2, Portland Timbers 1 (Round 1, Game 1): San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer (10) scores on a header during the first half against Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 26.Vancouver Whitecaps 3, FC Dallas 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer punches the ball away for a save at BC Place on Oct. 26.Philadelphia Union 2, Chicago Fire 2, Union win penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 1): The Philadelphia Union's Milan Iloski (32) and Andre Blake have words for Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) during the shootout at Subaru Park on Oct. 26.

Inter Miami 3, Nashville SC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): Lionel Messi scores against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium on Oct. 24. Messi had two goals in the win.

Portland Timbers 3, Real Salt Lake 1 (wild-card match): The Portland Timbers' Felipe Mora (9) and Kamal Miller (4) celebrate after the win at Providence Park on Oct. 22.Chicago Fire 3, Orlando City 1 (wild-card match): The Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers (9) scores past Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the second half at SeatGeek Stadium on Oct. 22.1 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.1 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.2 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Vancouver Whitecaps 1, FC Dallas 1, Vancouver wins penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi allows a goal during the penalty kick shootout at Toyota Stadium on Nov. 1. Vancouver's win pushed the Whitecaps in the next round of the playoffs.3 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Portland Timbers 2, San Diego FC 2, Portland wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 2): The Portland Timbers' Kristoffer Velde celebrates after defeating San Diego FC at Providence Park on Nov. 1. The penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.4 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Nashville SC 2, Inter Miami 1 (Round 1, Game 2): Nashville SC's Sam Surridge (9) and Inter Miami's Maximiliano Falcón fight for the ball during the second half at Geodis Park on Nov. 1. Nashville evened up the best-of-three series at one win apiece.5 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Philadelphia Union 3, Chicago Fire 0 (Round 1, Game 2): The Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo scores a goal during the first half at SeatGeek Stadium on Nov. 1. Philadelphia won the best-of-three series with the victory.6 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Charlotte FC 0, New York City FC 0, Charlotte FC wins penalty shootout 7-6 (Round 1, Game 2): NYCFC's Tayvon Gray (left) and Charlotte FC's Wilfried Zaha fight for the ball during the second half at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 1. Charlotte FC's penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.

7 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Los Angeles FC 2, Austin FC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris punches the ball out on a corner kick during the second half at BMO Stadium on Oct. 29.8 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

New York City FC 1, Charlotte FC 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Charlotte FC's Ashley Westwood has words for New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 28.9 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Minnesota United 0, Seattle Sounders 0, Minnesota wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 1): Minnesota United players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout at Allianz Field on Oct. 27.10 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

FC Cincinnati 1, Columbus Crew 0 (Round 1, Game 1): FC Cincinnati's Ender Echenique celebrates after a goal scored by teammate Kevin Denkey in the second half against the Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium on Oct. 27.11 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

San Diego FC 2, Portland Timbers 1 (Round 1, Game 1): San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer (10) scores on a header during the first half against Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 26.12 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Vancouver Whitecaps 3, FC Dallas 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer punches the ball away for a save at BC Place on Oct. 26.13 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Philadelphia Union 2, Chicago Fire 2, Union win penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 1): The Philadelphia Union's Milan Iloski (32) and Andre Blake have words for Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) during the shootout at Subaru Park on Oct. 26.14 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Inter Miami 3, Nashville SC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): Lionel Messi scores against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium on Oct. 24. Messi had two goals in the win.

15 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Portland Timbers 3, Real Salt Lake 1 (wild-card match): The Portland Timbers' Felipe Mora (9) and Kamal Miller (4) celebrate after the win at Providence Park on Oct. 22.16 / 16

Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs

Chicago Fire 3, Orlando City 1 (wild-card match): The Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers (9) scores past Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the second half at SeatGeek Stadium on Oct. 22.

MLS playoff predictions, picks for conference finals

Inter Miami vs. New York City FC

• Jim Reineking: Inter Miami

• Jacob Shames: Inter Miami

• Seth Vertelney: Inter Miami

• James Weber: Inter Miami

San Diego FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Jim Reineking: Vancouver Whitecaps

• Jacob Shames: Vancouver Whitecaps

• Seth Vertelney: San Diego FC

• James Weber: San Diego FC

MLS Cup 2025

• Jim Reineking: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps

• Jacob Shames: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps

• Seth Vertelney: Inter Miami over San Diego FC

• James Weber: Inter Miami over San Diego FC

MLS AT 30: History of MLS championship dynasties since league's inception

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS playoff bracket predictions, 2025 MLS Cup picks

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