The Union’s first-round match is set as MLS releases playoff schedule

Major League Soccer announced the leaguewide first-round playoff schedule on Sunday afternoon, kicking off what the Union hope is a long playoff run beginning next Sunday at Subaru Park.

The Union will face the winner of Wednesday’s Eastern Conference wild-card game, the No. 8 seed Chicago Fire or No. 9 Orlando City, in a 5:55 p.m. kickoff.

That will give the Union plenty of time to avoid a clash with the Eagles’ 1 p.m. kickoff against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field.

There also will be the bonus of a traditional TV broadcast on FS1, the Union’s first game on traditional TV since March 16 and just their second of the year. All of the playoffs are on Apple TV’s streaming platform as usual.

Game 2 of the series, which would be the Union’s only road game of the playoffs, is set for 5:40 p.m. on Nov. 1.

If you’re planning to travel, know that if it’s in Chicago, the game won’t be at Soldier Field. The Fire’s usual home is booked by a major international rugby game between powerhouses New Zealand and Ireland, an event that has been on the calendar since February.

» READ MORE: The Union lost their regular-season finale, but for once it didn’t matter

Instead, the Fire would host the game at their old home, SeatGeek Stadium in the southern suburb of Bridgeview, Ill.

If the series goes to a decisive third game, it would be played at Subaru Park on Nov. 8, at a time to be determined.

After the first round, MLS will pause for the November FIFA window, including the U.S. men’s national team’s much-anticipated game at Subaru Park against Paraguay on Nov. 15.

The playoffs will resume the weekend of Nov. 22-23 with the conference semifinals. The conference finals are Nov. 29-30, and the MLS Cup final is Dec. 6. All rounds after the first round are one game, hosted by the highest seed involved.

» READ MORE: The Union launch their first-ever app, designed to enhance your soccer experience

Note that all of Apple’s broadcasts will be available on Apple TV+, the tech company’s main subscription streaming platform. (It’s the same one that has had baseball for the last few years and will have Formula 1 auto racing starting next year.) If you don’t have the separate MLS Season Pass package, an Apple TV+ subscription will be enough.

8:30 p.m.: E8. Chicago Fire vs. E9. Orlando City (Apple TV)

10:30 p.m.: W8. Portland Timbers vs. W9. Real Salt Lake (Apple TV)

8:25 p.m.: E3 Inter Miami vs. E6. Nashville SC (FS1 starting at 8:00, Fox Deportes, Apple TV)

5:55 p.m.: E1. Union vs. E8. Chicago Fire or E9. Orlando City (FS1 starting at 5:30, Fox Deportes, Apple TV)

7:30 p.m.: W2. Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs W7. FC Dallas (Apple TV)

9:30 p.m.: W1. San Diego FC vs. W8. Portland Timbers or W9. Real Salt Lake (Apple TV)

6:55 p.m.: E2. FC Cincinnati vs. E7. Columbus Crew (FS1 starting at 6:45, Fox Deportes, Apple TV)

9 p.m.: W4. Minnesota United FC vs. W5.Seattle Sounders (FS1, Fox Deportes, Apple TV)

6:55 p.m.: E4. Charlotte FC vs. E5. New York City (FS1 starting at 6:45, Fox Deportes, Apple TV)

10:30 p.m.: W3. Los Angeles FC vs. No. 6 Austin FC (Apple TV)

3:30 p.m.: E5. New York City FC vs. E4. Charlotte FC (Apple TV)

5:30 p.m.: E8. Chicago Fire or E9. Orlando City vs. E1. Union (Apple TV)

7:30 p.m.: E6. Nashville SC vs. E3. Inter Miami (Apple TV)

9:30 p.m.: W7. FC Dallas vs. W2. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Apple TV)

9:30 p.m.: W8. Portland Timbers or W9. Real Salt Lake vs W1. San Diego FC (Apple TV)

6:30 p.m.: E7. Columbus Crew vs. E2. FC Cincinnati (Apple TV)

8:55 p.m.: W6. Austin FC vs. W3. Los Angeles FC (FS1 starting at 8:30, Fox Deportes, Apple TV)

10:55 p.m.: W5 Seattle Sounders FC vs. No. 4 Minnesota United (FS1 starting at 10:30, Fox Deportes, Apple TV) 

Time TBD: E4. Charlotte FC vs. No. 5 New York City FC if necessary (Apple TV)

Time TBD: W2. Vancouver Whitecaps vs. W7. FC Dallas if necessary (Apple TV)

Time TBD: E1. Union vs. E8. Chicago Fire or E9. Orlando City if necessary (Apple TV)

Time TBD: E2. FC Cincinnati vs. E7. Columbus Crew if necessary (Apple TV)

Time TBD: E3. Inter Miami vs. E6. Nashville SC if necessary (Apple TV)

Time TBD: W3. Los Angeles FC vs. W6. Austin FC if necessary (Apple TV)

Time TBD: W4. Minnesota United FC vs. W5. Seattle Sounders if necessary (Apple TV)

Time TBD: W1. San Diego FC vs. W8. Portland Timbers or W9. Real Salt Lake if necessary (Apple TV)