The 2018 Major League Soccer season came to an end Saturday, when Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers 2-0 to hoist the MLS Cup. Now, planning for the 2019 season begins immediately.
Here are some of the key postseason and preseason dates leading to the start of the 2019 MLS season. Please check back often for updates and other key dates, which will be added in the coming months.
2018 Caribbean Combine
- Oct. 15-18 — Kingston, Jamaica
- Oct. 22-25 — Bridgetown, Barbados
Decision Day
- Oct. 28 — See full schedule of games and live scores here.
MLS Cup Playoffs
Knockout Round
- Oct. 31 — East No. 6 at East No. 3
— West No. 6 at West No. 3 - Nov. 1 — East No. 5 at East No. 4
— West No. 5 at West No. 4
Conference Semifinal Series
- Nov. 4 — Eastern and Western Conference Leg 1 (hosted by lower seed)
- Nov. 11 — Eastern and Western Conference Leg 2 (hosted by higher seed)
(International break — USMNT vs. England Nov. 15; vs. Italy Nov 20; CAN vs. St. Kitts and Nevis Nov. 17)
Conference Championship Series
- Nov. 25 — Eastern and Western Conference Leg 1 (hosted by lower seed)
- Nov. 29 — Eastern and Western Conference Leg 2 (hosted by higher seed)
2018 MLS Cup
- Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. (location TBD)
Half-day trade window
- Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Following a three-month roster freeze, this takes place the day after MLS Cup every year.
Expansion Draft for FC Cincinnati
- Dec. 11, 2 p.m.
MLS Waiver Draft
- Dec. 12, 4 p.m.
MLS Re-entry Draft
- Stage 1 — December 14, 3 p.m.
- Stage 2 — December 20, 2 p.m.
2019 MLS Player Combine
- Jan. 3-9 — Orlando City Stadium
2019 MLS SuperDraft
- Jan. 11 — Chicago, Ill.
2019 MLS preseason begins
- Dates are not yet confirmed, but preseason training typically begins the third or fourth week of January.
2019 MLS regular season begins
- Date TBD. The regular season typically kicks off at the beginning of March.