MLS standings, schedule, scores, updated top scorers and playoffs race for 2022 season | Sporting News (2024)

A surprising leader in the Eastern Conference has announced itself asCF Montrealhas rebounded from a three-match losing streak to start the season, now eight unbeaten to climb atop the standings. The club is scoring goals in bunches as Djordje Mihailovic leads the club's prolific attack.

Still, there are four other clubs all within a point of the East leaders as parity reigns in the U.S. domestic league.

In the West, it's the same story, asLAFCslipped on the road at theColorado Rapids, and two of the other top three teams lost last time out as well, seeing the likes ofFC Dallasjump to second in the table. The top of the Western Conference doesn't have the same logjam as the East, but there are still five teams within four points of the leaders and the early playoff race is anybody's game. TheSeattle Sounders, fresh off the heels of a CONCACAF Champions League triumph, are now firmly focused on the league and ready to make a move with games in hand.

The coming midweek slate seesD.C. UnitedandNYCFCmatch up in a meeting of teams harboring higher hopes than their table position suggests, while theChicago Firealso hope for improvement as they take on theNew York Red Bulls.

Over the weekend, a top-tier cross-conference meeting betweenOrlando CityandAustin FCis enticing, while thePhiladelphia Unionhave a tough cross-country trip to the Pacific Northwest to take on thePortland Timbers.

There are 28 teams in Major League Soccer all harboring dreams of hoisting the 2022 MLS Cup trophy in the championship game on Nov. 5. But it's going to take qualifying for the playoffs first.By the time the regularly season wraps on Oct. 9, only 14 teams will be left with a chance to contend for the title.

Schedules, results, standings, and scorer tables below are updated as of matches on Wednesday, May 18.

MORE: Key dates in the 2022 MLS season

MLS 2022 upcoming schedule

Wednesday, May 18

Saturday, May 21

Sunday, May 22

MLS standings 2022

Eastern Conference

First place is anyone's game in the East, where CF Montreal currently hold the lead on total wins (first tiebreaker) and then goal difference (second tiebreaker). There are six teams within three points at the top with about a third of the season in the books.

** = No. 1 seed earns first-round playoffbye at season's end
* = Nos. 2-7 advance to first round of playoffs at season's end

Western Conference

LAFCis still clinging to the lead in the West,with three Texas teams in the five spots behind them. Rivals LA Galaxy are only four points away, while perennial West contenders Sporting KC and Seattle Sounders have ground to make up, but they're not too far behind.

** = No. 1 seed earns first-round playoffbye at season's end
* = Nos. 2-7 advance to playoff first round at season's end

MLS Playoffs 2022

The top seven teams in each conference qualify for the single-elimination knockout playoffs at the end of the regular season. Extra time and penalty shootouts (if necessary) are used in cases of a draw after 90 minutes.

• First Round: The No. 1 team in each conference earns a first round bye, while the other six teams in the conference battle in first-round matches hosted by the higher seed.


• Conference Semis: In the following round (Conference Semis), the No. 1 seed hosts the No. 4 vs. No. 5 winner. The other two teams face off at the home of the higher remaining seed.


• Conference Finals & MLS Cup: Similarly, the highest seed hosts.

If the playoffs started today...

Eastern Conference First Round(Bye: No. 1 CF Montreal)

Western Conference First Round (Bye: No. 1 LAFC)

2022 MLS top goal scorers

The top of the MLS goalscoring chart sees some major international signings alongside a handful of young American attackers.

Former River Plate and FC Zenit star Sebastian Driussi leads the way alongside Spanish forward Jesus Jimenez andU.S. national team forwardJesus Ferreira who has found his goal-scoring form.

Last year's top scorer, Valentin "Taty" Castellanos and Mexican legend Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez also figure on the list, which is arranged by total goals, with assists (first tiebreaker) and minutes (second tiebreaker) determining the final ranking as per the international standard.