As the 2023 MLS regular season comes to a close, teams around the league have already qualified for the playoffs while others hope to do the same in the final stretch of the campaign.
It's the time again when teams begin to nervously watch how other sides are doing around them in their respective tables as Decision Day looms in the background.
Several teams that have already punched their ticket to the postseason may look to give some of their star players rests in the coming games, while others aim to finish in a top-four spot to claim home field advantage.
Here's all the teams that have qualified for 2023 MLS Cup playoffs...
Teams that have qualified for 2023 MLS Cup playoffs
5. St Louis City
They've done it: the league's newest expansion side, St Louis City, have made it to the postseason.
St Louis has wasted no time in MLS as they've been off to a flying start in their first ever season, becoming the first side to reach the postseason in the Western Conference.
Players like Eduard Lowen and Nicholas Gioacchini have stepped up big at CITY Park and they'll need more of the same from them as well as Joao Klauss to continue their magical first season run.
St Louis qualified for the postseason for the first time ever after their 0-0 draw with 2022 MLS Cup champions LAFC. Was it somehow a passing of the guard? Only time will tell.
4. Philadelphia Union
Stop me if you've heard this before: Philadelphia Union have qualified for MLS Cup playoffs.
That's right, Jim Curtin's side have booked their place in this year's dance after a 2-2 draw with Charlotte FC. Dating back to 2018, the Union have now qualified for the playoffs for six consecutive seasons with head coach Curtin at the helm.
The Union have been inspired by performances from playmaker Daniel Gazdag, forwards Julian Carranza and Mikael Uhre as well as the dynamic Kai Wagner.
3. Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew making it to the postseason always seemed as if it was a matter of when, not if.
Even after the departure of fan-favorite Lucas Zelarayan, the Crew haven't skipped a beat. Juan 'Cucho' Hernandez has recorded hat-tricks in two out of three games played and amassed 13 goals and seven assists this term.
Should Hernandez remain in fine form alongside their plethora of attacking talent that boasts the likes of Christian Ramirez, Diego Rossi and Julian Gressel, Columbus could be gearing up for a deep postseason run.
The Crew clinched a spot in the playoffs after triumphing 3-0 over Chicago Fire.
2. Orlando City
Although Orlando City are second in the Eastern Conference at the time of writing, they seem to have still gone under the radar in 2023 as they've come on strong in the last couple of months.
Facundo Torres has led the way for the Lions with 12 goals and three assists while the emergence of Duncan McGuire (eight goals, two assists) has been nothing short of impressive.
Despite their 2-0 loss at New York City FC, Orlando have punched their ticket to the playoffs.
1. FC Cincinnati
Who else other than FC Cincinnati to qualify for the playoffs first?
Pat Noonan's side have been on an unbelievable tear in 2023, with Luciano 'Lucho' Acosta in MVP form with his 14 goals and eight assists. Brandon Vazquez has chipped in with six goals while wing-back Alvaro Barreal has dished out five assists.
It seems like the sky is the limit for Cincy as they have high hopes for capturing the Supporters' Shield as well as MLS Cup. The Orange and Blue needed only 26 games to qualify for the playoffs after taking down Atlanta United 2-1 in late August.
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This article was originally published on 90min as 2023 MLS Cup playoffs: Who's qualified for the postseason?.
