And it essentially amounts to this: two new teams in the league means the playoffs expand from eight to 10 teams.

The top three finishers in each conference qualify (last year it was the top two in each conference) and then it’s the next best four clubs irrespective of conference, which is the same as last year.

Not exactly earth-shattering changes.

BTW, the four wild cards will play single elimination games against each other, with higher seeds hosting.

Then it’s a two-game, aggregate goals format (same as last year) for the four conference semifinals.

The conference finals are again a one-off game, hosted by the higher seed.

MLS Cup “will again be a single championship match hosted at a predetermined site to be announced at a later date,” the league said, which at least leaves open the possibility the regular season champion will host the game, I suppose.

Despite all the criticism of the format last year there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of change does there?

What do you think?