MLS Cup Playoffs 2016: Dates, Schedule, Odds, Bracket and Live-Stream Info

There will be a new MLS Cup winner in 2016.

Both the Portland Timbers—the reigning champions—and 2015 runners-up Columbus Crew SC failed to qualify for the playoffs, marking the first time in MLS history that neither finalist has made it to the postseason, per Alicia Rodriguez of the league's official website.

FC Dallas, the Colorado Rapids, the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC have already booked places in their respective conference semi-finals. They are waiting for the winners of Wednesday's and Thursday's fixtures.

The LA Galaxy are the favourites for their match against Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, DC United don't expect to be troubled by the Montreal Impact in the Eastern Conference.  

Here are the schedule and streaming details:

2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule

Date	Time	Conference	Match	TV	Live Stream
Wednesday, Oct. 26	7:30 p.m. ET (12:30 a.m. BST)	East	Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia Union	ESPN 2, UniMas, TSN 2/Sky Sports 2	WatchESPN
Wednesday, Oct. 26	10:30 p.m. ET (3:30 a.m. BST)	West	LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake	UniMas/Sky Sports 2	MLS Live
Thursday, Oct. 27	7:30 p.m. ET (12:30 a.m. BST)	East	DC United vs. Montreal Impact	UniMas, RDS2/Sky Sports 3	MLS Live
Thursday, Oct. 27	10 p.m. ET (3 a.m. BST)	West	Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting KC	Fox Sports 1, UniMas/Sky Sports 3	Fox Sports Go

MLSSoccer.com

Here are the live-stream links: MLS Live, WatchESPN, Fox Sports Go.

For the full bracket, visit the league's official website.

Here are the outright odds for the competition:

2016 MLS Cup Odds

Team	Odds
FC Dallas	7-2
New York Red Bulls	9-2
Colorado Rapids	7-1
LA Galaxy	8-1
New York City FC	8-1
Toronto FC	9-1
DC United	25-1
Seattle Sounders FC	25-1
Sporting KC	28-1
Real Salt Lake	33-1
Montreal Impact	33-1
Philadelphia Union	50-1

For the latest outright odds, visit Oddschecker.com. 

Here are the odds for the upcoming knockout matches:

Upcoming Odds

Match	Odds
Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia Union	Toronto (-135), Philadelphia (+370), Draw (+260)
LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake	LA (-115), Real (+310), Draw (+240)
DC United vs. Montreal Impact	DC (+125), Montreal (+200), Draw (+230)
Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting Kansas City	Seattle (+110), KC (+230), Draw (+230)

For the latest match odds, visit Odds Shark.

Preview

FC Dallas are worthy favourites after securing the Supporters' Shield with the best record during the regular season. The Texas club equalled some MLS history, according to OptaJack:

Dallas boast a squad loaded with power and experience, particularly in defence and midfield. Former Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa is a vital and versatile member of the back four.

Further forward, former Paris Saint-Germain grafter Peter Luccin anchors the midfield. This is a tough and disciplined squad, but Dallas can't match the star power the Galaxy boast.

Left-back Ashley Cole underpins the left flank, but forwards Landon Donovan and Giovani dos Santos cause the most problems.

The pair are creative and artful on the ball while perceptive and intelligent off it. Their movement and technique will be too much for Salt Lake.

If Sporting Kansas City need any added motivation, they may get it from Brad Davis' desire to bow out as a winner. The club confirmed the veteran playmaker is set to retire:

As for DC United, their squad is defined by power and ingenuity in the middle. Luciano Acosta provides the latter quality. At just 22 years old, the Boca Juniors loanee has supplied 11 assists this season.

Lloyd Sam's brawn and energy supplement Acosta's vision. A natural workhorse, Sam covers every blade of grass as a box-to-box type who links each part of DC United's game together.

Skill and strength in the middle could also carry the Philadelphia Union far, but much will depend on how well classy pass master Ilsinho performs.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

The Brazilian has the flair and touch to conjure magic in the final third. However, he'll need the support of Alejandro Bedoya and Tranquillo Barnetta.

There's even talent in the midfield ranks for the team, which has 33-1 odds to surprise the bracket, per Oddschecker.com.