The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs are here, and Lionel Messi is red hot as Inter Miami enters the postseason in search of their first MLS Cup.

It's a do-or-die wildcard round followed by the best-of-three first round as MLS begins the march towards a champions

Look at the MLS playoff field long enough and you can make a case that all 16 teams have what it takes to be contenders -- or that they're pretenders.

Wilfried Zaha is not playing today for Charlotte FC vs New York City FC because he was sent off in the last match (red card) and is suspended for Game 1 of the playoff series. Slick footwork and smooth tekkers--𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙕𝙖𝙝𝙖, 𝙙𝙪𝙙𝙚 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MmZyITx0BH

Dayne St. Clair made one save before getting some help from the post twice after the Loons and Seattle played to a scoreless draw through 90 minutes.

In front of 32,066 people, the largest playoff crowd in club history, the Whitecaps outshot FC Dallas 22–0, pushing past an outstanding goalkeeping performance from Michael Collodi with goals from Daniel Ríos, Thomas Müller and Kenji Cabrera.

Two MLS clubs that missed the playoffs dumped head coaches on Monday with the Colorado Rapids parting ways with Chris Armas and the New York Red Bulls firing Sandro Schwarz."We're grateful to Chris for the professionalism and passion he brought to the club,