Oct 24, 2025, 09:31 AM ET

The 2025 MLS Cup playoffs kicked off on Wednesday with the Wild Card round, which saw the ninth seeds from both the East and West get knocked out, leaving the Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers to move on. Their reward? Dates with two of three best teams of the regular season, the Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC, respectively, in Round 1.

This phase of the postseason moves quickly, with the dust on Wednesday's Wild Card games having barely settled before Inter Miami and Nashville SC get Round 1 underway on Friday night.

So how will the best-of-three series among the 16 remaining MLS clubs play out? Lizzy Becherano and Jon Arnold dive into the matchups and break down Round 1.

Eastern Conference

3. Inter Miami vs. 6. Nashville SC

Game 1: Friday, 8 p.m. ET
Game 2: Saturday, Nov. 1; 8 p.m. ET
Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, Nov. 8; time TBD

Star attraction: All eyes will be on Lionel Messi on Friday night against Nashville, especially after the Inter Miami captain finally announced his three-year contract extension with the club. Although it may not be his final time playing the MLS playoffs, like it will be for...