How to Watch the MLS Cup Playoffs on October 16 – Montreal v. Orlando, Austin v. Salt Lake | Channel, Stream, Preview
Day two of the opening round of this year’s Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pits two of the best teams from the East and Western Conferences in action in hopes of progressing to their respective Conference Semifinals.
(2) Austin FC v (7) Real Salt Lake
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Where: Q2 Stadium (Austin, Texas)
- Channel: ABC, ESPN deported
- Electricity: FuboTV, Sling, DirecTV stream
Austin FC came out of goal with one of the strongest attacks in MLS. While they were cooling off significantly, the franchise looked like a much better club in its sophomore year, finishing 12th in the West in its inaugural campaign. In their last seven games, however, Austin has only picked up one win, ironically against Salt Lake, and has gone just 1-4-2 since Aug. 26. If they want to win their first-ever postseason game, they need top scorer Sebastian Driussi to step up . The Argentine forward finished second in the league by goals (22).
There is déjà vu in the club’s mind for Real Salt Lake as they make the playoffs for the 11th time in franchise history. They snatched last place in the West by beating the Portland Timbers on the final day of the regular season. Much like last year, Salt Lake made the playoffs in seventh place, where they made it to the conference finals before losing to eventual runners-up Timbers.
While Austin won the final game at Q2 Stadium, Salt Lake distributed the first favor in Utah in mid-May.
(2) Montreal CF vs. (7) Orlando City SC
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Stade Saputo (Montreal, Quebec)
- Channel: ESPN, ESPN deported
- Electricity: FuboTV, Sling, DirecTV stream
This will be Montreal’s first appearance in the playoffs since 2016, quite a turning point for a club that only made it to the play-ins in 2020. Wilfried Nancy has the meddling club that finished 10th to the second best team in the East a year ago. They missed the top spot by just two points, despite going unbeaten in their last six games and going 5-0-1 in that span. Montreal is trying to capitalize on the offensive with the third most goals in the East to advance to the next round.
Orlando secured last place in the playoffs thanks to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew on Decision Day, marking only the third time in franchise history that City made it into the postseason. The win came at perfect timing for Orlando, who have only won once in their previous five competitions. Now they’re aiming to win their first playoff game in two years after being knocked out in the first round by Nashville in 2021.
The teams split the regular season series, with the home team winning both matchups.
Watch the MLS Cup playoff bracket here