With a thrilling Decision Day in the books, Sporting Kansas City can cast their full attention on the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs as the top team in the Western Conference.
Manager Peter Vermes' side locked up a No. 1 seed after sinking LAFC 2-1 in Sunday's dramatic regular season finale at Children's Mercy Park. Roger Espinoza's long-range stunner and Daniel Salloi's clinical strike were enough to overcome Carlos Vela's controversially awarded penalty kick as Sporting KC earned their sixth first-place conference finish in club history.
As the top seed in the West, Sporting KC joins No. 2 seed Seattle Sounders FC with Knockout Round byes to the two-legged conference semifinals. Sporting KC will play away in the first leg this Sunday before hosting the decisive second leg on Sunday, Nov. 11. Tickets for that match—the first playoff tilt to be played at Children's Mercy Park since 2013 MLS Cup—are available via SeatGeek.com.
However, Sporting KC won't know their conference semifinal opponent until the conclusion of the single-elimination Knockout Round on Thursday night. Vermes' men will face the lowest-seeded team to advance from the Knockout Round, with No. 4 FC Dallas hosting No. 5 Portland Timbers on Wednesday and No. 3 LAFC hosting No. 6 Real Salt Lake on Thursday.
Consequently, Sporting KC can narrow down their potential playoff opponent to three clubs: FC Dallas, Portland and Real Salt Lake. If LAFC prevail, they would be the highest-seeded team to advance and thus cannot meet Sporting KC in the conference semifinals.
Should Real Salt Lake emerge victorious on Thursday in Los Angeles, Sporting KC will visit Rio Tinto Stadium for Sunday's first leg before hosting their Utah rivals a week later. If LAFC wins, Sporting KC will battle the winner between FC Dallas and Portland.
Kickoff times and broadcast details for conference semifinal matchups will be confirmed Thursday night upon conclusion of the Knockout Round.
Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs: Knockout Round Schedule
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Time (CT)</strong> |
<strong>Matchup</strong> |
<strong>TV</strong> |
Wednesday, Oct. 31 |
6pm |
(3) New York City FC vs. (6) Philadelphia Union |
FS1, UniMas |
Wednesday, Oct. 31 |
8:30pm |
(4) FC Dallas vs. (5) Portland Timbers |
ESPN+, UniMas |
Thursday, Nov. 1 |
7pm |
(4) D.C. United vs. (5) Columbus Crew SC |
FS1, UniMas |
Thursday, Nov. 1 |
9:30pm |
(3) LAFC vs. (6) Real Salt Lake |
ESPN2, UniMas |
