We’re down to the final four!
After a Conference Semifinal round filled with upsets and late winners, only four teams remain in the race for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
In the East, Chattanooga FC will host Columbus Crew 2 at Finley Stadium on Sunday, November 1, with the Eastern Conference crown and a spot in the Cup Final on the line.
Out West, the biggest El Trafichico yet will take center stage at Dignity Health Sports Park on Friday, October 30, as rivals Ventura County FC and Los Angeles FC 2 battle for conference supremacy.
Let’s take a closer look at both matchups before we find out which two clubs will be left standing in the race for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
(2) Chattanooga FC vs. (4) Columbus Crew 2
6 PM ET Sunday, Nov. 1 | MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball
Chattanooga FC took care of business at home against fellow independent side CT United FC, earning a 3-1 victory to clinch their first-ever appearance in the Eastern Conference Final.
Second-half goals from Tate Robertson, Alex Krehl, and Steeve Louis Jean powered the Boys in Blue to a historic win and added to an unbeaten stretch that has seen Chattanooga FC go without a loss since late June.
Now, CFC will have another opportunity to make history at Finley Stadium.
Thanks to Columbus Crew 2’s road upset of top-seeded Crown Legacy FC, Chattanooga FC would also have the opportunity to host the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final should they earn the victory on Sunday.
Standing in CFC’s way is a Crew 2 side that knows exactly what it takes to win at this stage.
Columbus Crew 2 are heading to their fourth Eastern Conference Final after knocking off top-seeded Crown Legacy FC in their 2-1 win last weekend.
Crew 2 have won each of their previous two appearances at this stage, capturing the conference title in both 2022 and 2023.
This time around, a new talented group of academy products has helped lead the postseason charge.
Chase Adams, Prince Forfor, Jamil Danjaji, and Brent Adu-Gyamfi have all contributed during Crew 2’s 2026 playoff run.
It all sets up a true battle of youth versus experience in Finley Stadium on Sunday, with Chattanooga FC’s starting XI averaging 25.8 years old in their semifinal victory, while Crew 2’s starters averaged just 20.6.
(3) Ventura County FC vs. (6) LAFC 2
10 PM ET Friday, Oct. 30 | MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball
Can you call this game the biggest El Trafichico of all time?
Ventura County FC and LAFC 2 will face off on Friday night at Dignity Health Sports Park for the chance to win the Western Conference title.Â
Winning would not only secure a spot in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup final, but would forever give bragging rights to whatever team walks away with the victory as the first side to win a conference title in MLS NEXT Pro.
VCFC will host their second game of the playoffs after knocking out MNUFC2 at home before taking down a Timbers2 team in Providence Park thanks to an Arnau Vilamitjana header in the second half.
Vilamitjana has scored in back-to-back playoff games and will be counted on to deliver if Ventura County FC needs a goal in a pinch.
LAFC2 have had to play each of their first two playoff matches on the road, but rather than crumble under the pressure, the Black & Gold have thrived.
They first knocked off Houston Dynamo 2 in a penalty shootout in the Space City before Sebastian Nava’s stoppage-time winner stunned Austin FC II, arguably the best team in MLS NEXT Pro during the regular season.
Jude Terry has provided a major boost in midfield during the postseason, while Marius Aiyenero and Tommy Mihalić remain dangerous whenever they get the ball at their feet in the final third.
Now, LAFC2 face one more road test against their biggest rivals in their home stadium.
A historic night awaits both sides on Friday, with the Western Conference title and a place in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final on the line.
