It can be wearying to watch the league tweak the postseason again and again. But there is a certain logic behind the most recent changes

MLS president Mark Abbott has a fondness for describing the league as “nimble”. It’s a characterization that serves the league well during its more progressive moments (rapid expansion, a willingness to embrace technology, etc), though at other times it evokes some of the league’s historical flightiness and lightweight addiction to novelty over tradition. Where to place the tinkering of playoffs in this continuum?

Yes, the MLS playoffs are changing format again for next year. In an attempt to reward regular-season excellence, while balancing the desires of owners to maintain interest at the gates throughout the year, the playoff field has been expanded. Meanwhile, the route to MLS Cup for lower-ranked teams has become more of an exercise in threading the needle than the current format.

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from US news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2R1fzdn
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