MLS playoff seeding set after Decision Day drama

The 2017 MLS season has come to a close and the focus now shifts to the hunt for the MLS Cup, as the opening round playoff matchups have now been determined.

Here's how things stand in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round:

• Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew
• Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls

Should the Red Bulls defeat Chicago, Jesse Marsch's side has a date with Toronto FC. But if Chicago wins, then the Reds take on either Atlanta or the Crew in the Conference Semifinals, while the Fire play New York City FC. As Toronto FC is the top seed in the East, the team takes on the lowest seed to advance, while NYCFC takes on the highest seed as such.

Here's how things stand in the Western Conference Knockout Round:

• Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Jose Earthquakes
• Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City

Should San Jose defeat the Whitecaps, the defensively-beleaguered outfit will have to take on the Western Conference-leading Portland Timbers in the next round, but a Whitecaps victory sees the Timbers take on the winner of the other series between Houston and Sporting KC, while Vancouver takes on reigning MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders in the semifinals. The Timbers are the top seed in this conference, while Seattle is second.

The first round of the MLS post-season takes place on Oct. 25 and 26, in a one-and-done match that will see four teams eliminated by the time Sunday comes around. Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 mark the first leg of the Conference Semifinals, which concludes on Oct. 31.