The first round of the MLS Cup playoffs always brings the drama. Teams will begin advancing as soon as Saturday night, as the second games in the first-round best-of-three series take center stage.

Lionel Messi scored a late goal but sixth-seeded Nashville beat No. 3 seed Inter Miami 2-1 in Game 2 of the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visits Nashville SC in Game 2 of their first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs. Here's how to watch it tonight.

Sixteen teams — eight each from the Eastern and Western conferences — remain in contention for the 2025 MLS Cup. The first round of the playoffs is a best-of-three series pitting the seeded members of each conference against one another. The first team to two victories in each matchup will move on to the Conference Semifinals.

The 2025 sports equinox is here as all major American professional sports leagues will be in action tonight, but some might overlook soccer with everything going on.

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