Western Conference: What to know about every Audi MLS Cup Playoffs team | MLSSoccer.com

It’s Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs time, individuals!

Eighteen groups get in, and just one will be crowned champ in MLS Cup provided by Audi on Dec. 18.

What do you require to understand about this year’s Western Conference field? Let’s get primed on each group with a top-line take a look at who’s left standing.

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 8, 2026

Required to understand

Season summary

Simply the 4th club in MLS history to tape-record a minimum of 60 points in back-to-back years, the Whitecaps have actually set single-season club records for points (64) and wins (19 ).

Sebastian Berhalter’s summer season exit, blended with Thomas Müller’s schedule problems, stung for a spell, however no group in the league has much better hidden numbers in 2026.

Definitive gamer

You might toss a dart at the Vancouver lineup, which dart would most likely arrive on a defensible choice for this area. Still, Brian White is worthy of an unique reference. The veteran striker struck the 20-goal mark for the very first time in his profession.

Finest playoff surface

The Whitecaps fell simply except ending up being MLS Cup 2025 champs in their very first year under head coach Jesper Sørensen. In 2015’s 3-1 loss at Inter Miami, in their very first journey to the last, will supply adequate inspiration.

Required to understand

Season introduction

A tough group to beat that’s gradually changed into a more fluid assaulting group, head coach Eric Quill has actually done an excellent task leading the charge for FC Dallas. They’ve exceeded expectations strongly heading into the playoffs.

Definitive gamer

Petar Musa, who published 22 league objectives and scored at the World Cup for Croatia versus England, is FC Dallas’ indisputable star. The 28-year-old striker is extremely well-rounded and functions as the ideal pointer of Dallas’ assaulting spear.

Finest playoff surface

The MLS originals lost their only past MLS Cup look, falling in 2010 to the Colorado Rapids.

Required to understand

Season summary

With their reconstruct strongly ahead of schedule, St. Louis have actually made history in 2026. They set the MLS record for successive video games without a loss throughout all competitors (21) and raised the very first prize in club history with their United States Open Cup victory.

Their remade lineup, crafted by brand-new sporting director Corey Wray and led by first-year head coach Yoann Damet, has actually skyrocketed even greater than expected.

Definitive gamer

Obtained for a club-record amount of $12 million from the Colorado Rapids in the summer season transfer window, Rafael Navarro has actually included a totally brand-new measurement to St. Louis’ attack. A fantastic supplier and scorer, Navarro is among the very best strikers in MLS.

Finest playoff surface

As the West’s No. 1 seed, St. Louis CITY’s historical 2023 growth season ended with a Round One removal by competitors Sporting Kansas City. They have not gone back to the playoffs previously.

Required to understand

Season introduction

San Jose’s year has actually been filled with low and high.

To begin the routine season, they ended up being the very first MLS group in the post-shootout age to win 9 of their very first 10 video games. An injury-filled summer season knocked them down before a minor stabilization prior to Decision Day.

Earthquakes fans will hope their group has actually uncovered their spring type.

Definitive gamer

It’s no coincidence that San Jose’s type dipped when Niko Tsakiris got hurt in May. Famous head coach Bruce Arena handed the secrets to the homegrown playmaker to lead the attack together with Timo Werner.

The Earthquakes require a healthy Tsakiris to reach their ceiling. He sure appeared to be at his finest on Decision Day with a beautiful help on a Preston Judd strike.

Finest playoff surface

San Jose are two-time MLS Cup champs, going the range in 2001 and 2003. Now, the Earthquakes will host their very first championship game at PayPal Park as they continue their climb under Arena.

Required to understand

Season summary

Equipped with a strong protective system thanks in no little part to Agustin Resch and Lucas Halter– 2 winter season additions at center back– the Dynamo have actually been a stationary things for much of the year. The attack, however, has actually lagged sometimes.

Definitive gamer

When the Dynamo’s attack is shooting, it’s since of Guilherme. A Newcomer of the Year prospect, the Brazilian forward published more objective contributions than any other first-year MLS gamer this season (26; 16g/10a).

Finest playoff surface

Houston have an MLS Cup history, winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. Can head coach Ben Olsen’s side develop on that?

Required to understand

Season introduction

It’s been a rocky roadway for LAFC, who parted methods with head coach Marc Dos Santos in September. As LAFC fell back in a host of underlying metrics (and great old-fashioned outcomes), they turned to interim supervisor Xavi Tamarit. Things are yet to actually begin singing on the field.

Definitive gamer

It’s essentially difficult to break up the vibrant duo of Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min, however Bouanga might offer audiences a much better window into the club as a whole.

The group leader in objective contributions (18g/9a) and best as a left winger, Bouanga invested the majority of the project’s denouement playing out of position as a striker. His function in any offered video game might choose the match for LAFC.

Finest playoff surface

Does anybody keep in mind that Gareth Bale header in MLS Cup 2022? Obviously you do. It assisted LAFC end up being champs, settling a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union that was then selected penalty shot.

Required to understand

Season introduction

With simply 4 wins before the World Cup break, the Timbers parted methods with head coach Phil Neville and changed him with Martí Cifuentes.

Cifuentes has actually introduced an assaulting design that’s opened Portland’s finest gamers and seen them win 4 straight video games heading into the postseason. This is a resurgent group.

Definitive gamer

Considering that MLS play resumed in July, just Messi ranks greater in American Soccer Analysis’ goals-added metric than Kristoffer Velde. The left winger has actually been genuinely fantastic addressing opposing fullbacks individually and finding objectives. Velde might seal his status as a super star this postseason.

Finest playoff surface

Portland won the title in 2015, with club legend Diego Valeri scoring the fastest objective in MLS Cup history (27 seconds) throughout a 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew. They likewise ended up as runner-up in 2018 and 2021.

Required to understand

Season summary

On Decision Day, the Sounders were at danger of missing out on the playoffs for simply the 2nd time in the club’s MLS period. Thanks to a hallmark late-season turn-around that culminated in a 2-1 win over LAFC, Seattle are ideal back where they anticipate to be. Even after a season afflicted by injuries and disparities, they’re not a group to ignore.

Definitive gamer

It’s no coincidence that much of Seattle’s slide down the West’s standings this year occurred when Cristian Roldan, a member of Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT World Cup team, was out hurt. Back in the lineup, Roldan’s play at the base of midfield is transformational for head coach Brian Schmetzer’s attire.

Finest playoff surface

Seattle’s prize cabinet consists of 2 MLS Cup titles. They won the 2016 and 2019 finals, beating Toronto FC on both celebrations. They likewise completed as runner-up in 2017 and 2020.

Required to understand

Season summary

It’s been a rollercoaster year for RSL, to state the least.

After a rip-roaring start where they looked the part of a prize competitor, Zavier Gozo’s club-record transfer to English Premier League side Crystal Palace and Diego Luna’s season-ending knee injury took the wind out of RSL’s sails.

Now, a rebalanced frontline and a deeper-than-ever center back space saw RSL make a last-minute push back above the line.

Definitive gamer

Maybe the discovery of the 2026 MLS season, Sergi Solans has actually become a star striker in his launching season. With 15 non-penalty objectives and some quality circulation and protective work, the 2026 MLS SuperDraft choice is RSL’s leading assaulting hazard.

Plus, Solans will get service from Morgan Guilavogui and Uruguay global Juan Manuel Sanabria, which need to be a frightening idea for Seattle’s defense in the Wild Card video game.

Finest playoff surface

RSL won MLS Cup in 2009 and likewise made the 2013 last. In this existing period, they’ve made the postseason 6 straight seasons under head coach Pablo Mastroeni.