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The final two spots in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs will have been determined by Wednesday night.
The Wild Card Round begins Tuesday as No. 8 CF Montreal hosts No. 9 Atlanta United in a winner-take-all matchup, with a ticket to the Eastern Conference first round on the line.
The following night, the No. 8 Vancouver Whitecaps FC and No. 9 Portland Timbers will battle in Oregon for the final playoff spot in the West.
Here is everything you need to know heading into these Wild Card matchups.
2024 MLB Cup Wild Card Round Schedule
Atlanta United at CF Montreal
Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: Apple TV (Free)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Portland Timbers
Start time: 10:30 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)
Montreal will enter this game as a favorite in part because of the hot streak it is riding into the matchup, having gone 5-1-1 with three shutouts in its last seven games.
Atlanta, meanwhile, squeaked in to the Wild Card Round thanks to a close 2-1 win over Orlando, getting help from Charlotte FC’s win over DC United and FC Cincinnati’s victory over Philadelphia Union to secure the final spot in the East.
Montreal has claimed two wins over Atlanta this season, following up a 1-0 home shutout in July with a 2-1 road win during October’s push to the playoffs.
The hosts’ chances of pushing that record to 3-0 could hinge on goaltender Jonathan Sirois and the Montreal defense, which have combined to hold visitors at Stade Saputo without a goal for 325 straight minutes.
Josef Martínez is also a player to watch heading into the matchup. He has recorded six goals in five games, including an insurance goal in a 2-0 Decision Day shutout of New York City.
Montreal may have gotten the better of Atlanta so far this season, but the visitors will hope to upset their hosts with offense from players like Saba Lobjanidze and more quality goaltending from Brad Guzan.
The 40-year-old goalie, who has regularly been his team’s best player this season, tied his own franchise record by making nine saves against Orlando to help Atlanta earn a shot at the Wild Card Round.
Vancouver heads into the Wild Card matchup with the higher spot in the standings, but thanks to a scheduling conflict with the 2024 World Supercross Championships, will have to travel to Portland for its biggest game of the season.
The good news for Vancouver is that the team actually performed better on the road (7-6-4) than it did at home (6-7-4) during the MLS regular season.
Both teams have struggled down the final stretch of the season, however. Vancouver has gone winless in seven straight games and marked four straight losses, most recently a 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Portland is winless in five straight, most recently playing the Seattle Sounders to a Saturday draw.
Despite the recent slump the Timbers finished the regular season as one of the highest-scoring clubs in the MLS with Felipe Mora, Evander and Jonathan Rodriguez each recording at least 14 goals.
Vancouver’s chances of advancing could all come down to the Whitecaps defense. But after the Vancouver midfielders struggled to limit Salt Lake City with the chance to avoid the Wild Card Round on the line last weekend, the Timbers could have a shot to pull off an upset and earn a ticket to the first round.
Montreal and Atlanta are battling for the chance to take on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF starting Oct. 25, while either Vancouver or Portland will head on to face Denis Bouanga and LAFC in a series that will kick off on Oct. 27.