MLS NEXT Pro News

Playoff clinching scenarios: Matchweek 24

Scenarios 2026 MW24

In MLS NEXT Pro Matchweek 24 action:

Houston Dynamo 2 and Portland Timbers2 can clinch Western Conference playoff berths. 

FC Cincinnati 2 and Colorado Rapids 2 can be eliminated from playoff contention.

Clinch scenarios

Western Conference

Houston Dynamo 2 logo
Houston Dynamo 2

HOUSTON DYNAMO 2 clinches a postseason spot if:
 1) HOU win + MIN 2 or fewer points
               OR
 2) HOU win + NTX 1 or fewer points
               OR
 3) HOU win + STL loss
               OR
 4) HOU win + TAC loss + SJ loss
               OR
 5) HOU SOW + MIN 1 or fewer points
               OR
 6) HOU SOW + NTX loss + STL loss
               OR
 7) HOU SOL + MIN loss

Timbers2 logo
Timbers2

PORTLAND TIMBERS2 clinch a postseason spot if:
 1) POR win
               OR
 2) POR SOW + MIN 1 or fewer points
               OR
 3) POR SOL + MIN loss

Elimination scenarios

Eastern Conference

FC Cincinnati 2 logo
FC Cincinnati 2

FC CINCINNATI 2 are eliminated if:
 1) CIN loss + NYC 2 or more points
               OR
  2) CIN loss + PHI win
               OR
 3) CIN loss + NYC SOL + ATL 1 or more points
               OR
 4) CIN loss + NYC SOL + PHI 2 or more points
               OR
 5) CIN loss + ATL 1 or more points + CHI 1 or more points
               OR
 6) CIN loss + ATL 1 or more points + PHI 1 or more points
               OR
  7) CIN SOL + ATL SOW + NYC win
               OR
 8) CIN SOL + ATL SOW + NYC SOW + PHI win
               OR
 9) CIN SOL + ATL SOW + NYC SOW + CHI win + TOR 2 or more points

Western Conference

Colorado Rapids 2 logo
Colorado Rapids 2

COLORADO RAPIDS 2 are eliminated if:
 1) COL 2 or less points
               OR
 2) SJE 1 or more points
               OR
 3) MIN win + NTX 2 or more points
               OR
 4) MIN SOW + NTX 1 or more points
               OR
 5) RSL win + NTX 1 or more points