User:Bmf 051/sandbox/MLS season format

MLS 1
The top 3 teams in each conference qualify for the Championship Division and are assured of playing in MLS 1 next season, while the bottom 3 qualify for the Promotion Division. Each team plays their 5 conference opponents twice (home-and-away) and their non-conference opponents once (3 home, 3 away) for a total of 16 games.

MLS 2
The first-place teams in each conference qualify for the Championship Division and are assured of playing in MLS 1 next season, while the second-place teams qualify for the Promotion Division. The bottom 4 teams in each conference qualify for the Challenger Division. Each team plays their 5 conference opponents twice (home-and-away) and their non-conference opponents once (3 home, 3 away) for a total of 16 games.

Second Round
Each Second Round division consists of a home-and-away double round robin for a total of 14 games.

Championship Division
The top 4 teams in the Championship Division qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The top 2 American teams also qualified for the 2017–18 CONCACAF Champions League. If either of those two qualifiers are MLS Cup champions or Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions, their extra berth passes to the next best American team. All 8 teams are assured of playing in MLS 1 next season.

Promotion Division
The top 4 teams in the Promotion Division qualified for the Promotion Division Playoffs. The bottom 4 teams are assured of playing in MLS 2 next season. Toronto FC qualified for the 2017–18 CONCACAF Champions League as the winner of the 2016 Canadian Championship. FC Dallas qualified for the tournament as the winner of 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Challenger Division
The top 4 teams in the Challenger Division qualified for the Challenger Division Playoffs. The bottom 4 teams are assured of playing in MLS 2 next season.

Playoffs
The first legs of each semifinal match-up were held on November 5 or 6, 2016. The second legs were held on November 19 or 20, 2016. The Promotion Division third-place game and the Promotion and Challenger Divisions' finals will be held on November 26. The MLS Cup Final will be held on November 27.

MLS Cup Playoffs
The MLS Cup Playoffs consist of two two-legged semifinals and a one match final. The MLS Cup Champions (if an American team) qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League. If that team is Canadian or has already qualified for the Champions League, their extra spot passes to the next best American team in the Championship Division.

Promotion Division Playoffs
The Promotion Division Playoffs consist of two two-legged semifinals, a one match third-place game and a one match final. The two finalists and the third-place winner are assured of playing in MLS 1 next season. The fourth-place team will play the Challenger Division Champions in the Last Chance Playoff.

Challenger Division Playoffs
The Challenger Division Playoffs consist of two two-legged semifinals and a one match final. The Challenger Division Champions will play the Promotion Division 4th place team om the Last Chance Playoff. The other three teams will play in MLS 2 next season.

Last Chance Playoff
The winner of the Last Chance Playoff will play in MLS 1 next season. The loser will play in MLS 2.