Chicago Fire FC

Tai Baribo scored two early goals and the Philadelphia Union beat the Chicago Fire 3-0 on Saturday to sweep the best-of-three first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Look at the MLS playoff field long enough and you can make a case that all 16 teams have what it takes to be contenders -- or that they're pretenders.

Jesus Bueno rolls home the winning penalty for Philadelphia Union in their Game 1 win over Chicago Fire in the MLS Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Jesús Bueno scored the decisive goal in a penalty shootout after the Philadelphia Union blew a two-goal lead late and the top-seeded Union beat the Chicago Fire FC on Sunday in a best-of-three first-round opener of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Now that the Wild Card games are over with, the MLS postseason moves into the best-of-three Round 1. Who will move on? ESPN makes its predictions.

The Chicago Fire kicked off the 2025 MLS playoffs with an impressive win over Orlando City in the Eastern Conference Wild Card game to advance to a series against the Philadelphia Union.

The MLS Cup playoffs begin with the Wild Card round, and ESPN details which of Chicago, Orlando, Portland and Salt Lake will be moving on to Round 1.

The regular season is in the rearview mirror and the playoffs are upon us, so which postseason contenders are best placed for a run to MLS Cup?

Philip Zinckernagel scored a goal for the Chicago Fire on Saturday night in a wild 2-2 tie with the New England Revolution in the regular season finale for both teams.