MLS Expanding Playoffs By Two Teams Next Season

TORONTO (AP) — Major League Soccer will add two playoff teams next season, expanding its postseason field to 10, and will investigate aligning its schedule with soccer's international calendar.

Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement at Sunday's 15th MLS Cup game in Toronto between the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas.

Garber says next year's playoff format has yet to be determined, but the goal is to avoid a repeat of this season, when two Western Conference teams (Colorado and San Jose) met in the Eastern Conference championship. Six of the eight playoff qualifiers this year came from the West.

The league will grow to 18 teams next season when expansion franchises in Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, British Columbia, begin play.