2025 MLS Cup Playoff Bracket Schedule, Predictions and Odds for Wild Card Round
The MLS Cup Playoffs begin Wednesday with the Wild Card Round, which features two teams limping into the postseason and two upstart squads ready to oust them and advance to the first round of competition.
Who are those teams, which teams are less than red-hot as they arrive for the first playoff action of the year, and who will advance?
Find out in this preview, which also includes predictions and the most current odds for both games.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Schedule
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Eastern Conference Wild Card: (8) Chicago Fire vs. (9) Orlando City
Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 8:30 p.m. EST
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass, Apple TV
Western Conference Wild Card: (8) Portland Timbers vs. (9) Real Salt Lake
Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 10:30 p.m. EST
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass, Apple TV
Eastern Conference Odds, Preview and Prediction
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Current Odds
Chicago (+100; bet $100, win $200), Draw (+265; bet $100, win $365), Orlando City (+225; bet $100, win $325)
Preview and Prediction
Orlando City limps into the postseason, winners of one of their last five games.
They head to Chicago to face a Fire team that has not appeared in the playoffs since 2017 and will look to Newcomer of the Year candidate Philip Zinckernagel to help advance them to the first round.
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder scored 15 goals and 13 assists in his first 32 MLS games and will hope his potential individual award is not the only hardware he takes home this season.
Despite Orlando City's struggles late in the regular season, the play of Martín Ojeda is enough to potentially carry them past their opponent.
In 33 matches, Ojeda scored 16 goals, assisted 11 times, and stayed clean with no yellow or red cards.
A creative passer with above-average goal-scoring, he can create chances and give Orlando City a legitimate chance to shrug off a sluggish end to the season and advance his club to the First Round.
Chicago's gritty defense, with the ability to grind things out and limit the number of opportunities the opponent gets on the goal, may be the difference between a win and loss for Wednesday's home team.
Goalie Chris Brady had another strong season, recording five clean sheets, 93 saves, and allowed just 51 goals. One of the most consistent at his position, he could shut out an Orlando City squad that has not scored enough to win more than one game in the last nine.
Prediction: Chicago Fire advances
Western Conference Odds, Preview and Prediction
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Current Odds
Portland (+115), Bet (+245), Salt Lake (+210)
Preview and Prediciton
Real Salt Lake was the last team to clinch a playoff spot, earning their way into the dance on Decision Day with a 2-2 tie against St. Louis.
Star Diego Luna started 27 games, scored nine goals and six assists. He does everything well and more importantly, pays attention to detail. He is a technician on the pitch, is a creative dribbler, and has impeccable passing. His improving defense will only help him in the long run but could be beneficial in Wednesday's showdown.
Whereas most would look at Salt Lake as an underdog, they combat a Portland team that lost nine of their last 10, limped into the playoffs, and will be playing with desperation to stop the skid.
Timbers' midfielder and winger David DeCosta scored just four goals in 2025 and six assists in 33 games. He will need to enhance his level of play if he and the rest of the Portland squad is to outlast Salt Lake and advance to the first round.
There is something to be said of momentum and even more of downward momentum. It was a good season for Portland and the Timbers are a competitive team, but it is difficult to imagine them flipping a switch and suddenly solving their ailments.
Prediction: Salt Lake advances
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