The top two teams in each conference qualify and are seeded 1 & 2 in their respective four-team playoff conference brackets. The four MLS teams with the next most points, regardless of conference, receive "wildcard" berths. In the event that two teams finish the regular season with an equal number of points, the following system will be used to break the tie:

1. Head-to-head record
2. Goal Differential
3. Total Goals
4. Road record for above tiebreakers
5. Home record for above tiebreakers
6. Disciplinary Record
7. Coin Toss
8. Goal Difference

NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.