2022 MLS Cup Playoffs: Los Angeles FC Claims First Championship
The 2022 MLS Cup playoffs, officially branded as the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, served as the 27th edition of the post-season championship for Major League Soccer (MLS), the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Spanning from October 15 to November 5, the tournament determined the ultimate champion of the 2022 regular season, concluding just 16 days before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The tournament was marked by significant shifts in the league's power dynamics. While New York City FC entered the competition as the defending champions, they were unable to retain their title. Meanwhile, Los Angeles FC (LAFC), who entered the playoffs as the Supporters' Shield winners (the award given to the team with the best overall regular-season record), successfully captured their first-ever MLS Cup.
Notably, the 2022 playoffs saw the first absence of any Pacific Northwest teams since 2008. This included a historic milestone for Seattle Sounders FC, who failed to qualify for the first time in their history, ending a record-breaking thirteen-year playoff streak. Conversely, the tournament welcomed newcomers, with Austin FC and FC Cincinnati making their debut appearances in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Key Facts
- Champions: Los Angeles FC (1st title)
- Runners-up: Philadelphia Union
- Dates: October 15 – November 5, 2022
- Total Matches: 13
- Total Goals: 41 (Average of 3.15 per match)
- Total Attendance: 263,192 (Average of 20,246 per match)
- Top Scorers: Sebastián Driussi and Maximiliano Moralez (3 goals each)
Tournament Structure and Qualification
Qualification for the playoffs was based on conference standings, with the top seven teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences securing a spot. The conference champions were granted a first-round bye, advancing directly to the Conference semifinals.
Conference Standings
In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Union led the pack with 67 points, followed closely by CF Montréal. In the Western Conference, Los Angeles FC also finished first with 67 points, followed by Austin FC.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Champion | Los Angeles FC |
| Runner-up | Philadelphia Union |
| Semifinalists | Austin FC, New York City FC |
| Top Goalscorers | S. Driussi, M. Moralez (3 goals) |
| Total Attendance | 263,192 |
The Road to the Final
The tournament progressed through three critical stages: the First Round, the Conference Semifinals, and the Conference Finals. Higher-seeded teams maintained the advantage of hosting matches throughout the bracket.
First Round and Semifinals
The opening round saw FC Cincinnati upset the New York Red Bulls, while CF Montréal and New York City FC also advanced in the East. In the West, LA Galaxy secured a win over Nashville SC, and both Austin FC and FC Dallas advanced via penalty shoot-outs.
During the Conference semifinals, Philadelphia Union defeated FC Cincinnati 1-0, and New York City FC overcame CF Montréal 3-1. In the Western bracket, Los Angeles FC won a tight contest against LA Galaxy (3-2), and Austin FC defeated FC Dallas 2-1.
Conference Finals
The Philadelphia Union secured their place in the final by defeating the defending champions, New York City FC, with a 3-1 victory. In the West, Los Angeles FC dominated Austin FC with a 3-0 win to claim the Western Conference title.
The MLS Cup Final
The championship match took place on November 5, 2022, hosted by Los Angeles FC due to their superior overall points standing. The match was a high-scoring thriller that ended in a 3-3 draw after extra time.
The deadlock was finally broken in a penalty shoot-out, where Los Angeles FC emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union, securing their first MLS Cup trophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2022 MLS Cup?
Los Angeles FC won the 2022 MLS Cup, marking the first title in the club's history.
Who were the top goalscorers of the tournament?
Sebastián Driussi of Austin FC and Maximiliano Moralez of New York City FC were the joint top scorers, each netting 3 goals.
Which team ended a long playoff streak in 2022?
Seattle Sounders FC failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their history, ending a league-record thirteen-year streak.
How was the MLS Cup host determined?
The host for the final match was determined by the team with the highest number of overall points in the regular season table, which in 2022 was Los Angeles FC.
Which teams made their first-ever playoff appearance in 2022?
Austin FC and FC Cincinnati both reached the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in 2022.