Eastern Conference (MLS)

The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Established in 1996, alongside the Western Conference, it consists of teams located primarily in the eastern portion of North America. The conference is one of the primary divisions for regular season competition within MLS.

At the end of each regular season, the top teams in the Eastern Conference qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The number of teams that qualify has varied throughout the league's history but typically includes the majority of the conference teams. These playoff teams compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine the Eastern Conference champion. The Eastern Conference champion then advances to the MLS Cup final to play the Western Conference champion for the league title.

The composition of the Eastern Conference has changed over the years due to expansion, contraction, and team relocations within MLS. As such, the teams participating in the conference have varied over time. The conference standings are determined by a points system, with teams earning three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. Tiebreakers for playoff qualification are determined by MLS rules, which typically consider factors like goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head results.

The Eastern Conference is a key component of MLS, providing a competitive landscape for teams in the eastern United States and Canada, and contributing to the overall structure and excitement of the league. Its history reflects the growth and evolution of soccer in North America.