Round One of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs got underway with four lively openers that offered a bit of everything — big performances, late drama, and the kind of tension only knockout football brings.
Inter Miami showed their star power, Philadelphia flirted with disaster before surviving, Vancouver looked like a team built for the moment, and San Diego proved that even a brand-new club can handle playoff pressure.
Here’s how all four first-leg clashes played out and what they told us about the battles still to come.
Inter Miami CF 3–1 Nashville SC
Inter Miami couldn’t have asked for a better start to the playoffs. From the first whistle, they looked sharper, hungrier, and far more composed in possession. Lionel Messi’s early header settled any nerves, and Miami dictated the pace from there. Nashville looked flat in comparison, struggling to find their usual compact shape or any rhythm going forward. When Hany Mukhtar finally pulled one back late on, it was little more than a consolation — Miami were in control, and Messi’s stoppage-time strike underlined it. The hosts simply played with more conviction, moving the ball quickly and pressing with intent. For Nashville, it wasn’t just about the result — it was the lack of urgency. They’ll need to rediscover their aggression and belief at home, or this series could be over before it really begins.
Philadelphia Union 2–2 Chicago Fire (Union win 4–2 on penalties)
This one had everything: control, collapse, and redemption. Philadelphia looked set for a comfortable win when Indiana Vassilev and Milan Iloski scored within five minutes of each other, but Chicago refused to fold. A scrappy late goal gave them hope, and Jack Elliott’s stoppage-time equaliser stunned Subaru Park. For a few minutes, it felt like the Fire might steal it, but the Union held firm when it mattered most. Andre Blake came up big in the shoot-out, and Philadelphia escaped with a win that was far more complicated than it should have been. It’s a reminder that playoff composure isn’t just about talent — it’s about staying calm when the script flips. Chicago can take plenty from this, though. They went toe-to-toe with the East’s top seed and proved they can hurt them again in Game 2.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3–0 FC Dallas
If Vancouver were looking to make a statement, they did it in style. A sold-out BC Place roared them on, and the Whitecaps responded with one of their most complete performances of the season. They were aggressive in possession, disciplined without the ball, and ruthless in front of goal. Dallas never really got going — their midfield couldn’t cope with Vancouver’s press, and their back line struggled to deal with the movement of Daniel Ríos and company. The home side looked comfortable throughout, managing the game like seasoned playoff operators rather than a team still building its postseason reputation. Dallas have the quality to respond at home, but they’ll need a huge tactical shift to stop Vancouver controlling the tempo again.
San Diego FC 2–1 Portland Timbers
San Diego’s first ever playoff game felt like the birth of something. They played with confidence, moved the ball beautifully, and didn’t let the moment overwhelm them. Onni Valakari opened the scoring to light up Snapdragon Stadium, and Anders Dreyer doubled the lead before the break to send the place into chaos. Portland did rally, pulling one back through Kristoffer Velde, but a red card soon after killed their momentum. From there, San Diego managed the game smartly, showing the kind of maturity that usually belongs to veteran playoff sides. Portland will feel frustrated — they created enough to stay in it but handed the advantage away. For San Diego, it’s a dream start, and more importantly, it looked completely deserved.