MLS playoffs to take break for international games

NEW YORK (AP) -- Major League Soccer will take a week off in the middle of its playoffs during the FIFA fixture period for international matches.

MLS said Tuesday that its playoffs will start with conference knockout games Oct. 29-30. The first legs of conference semifinals will be Nov. 1-2 and the second legs of the home-and-home, total-goals series will be Nov. 8-9.

The league will then take off as many players report to national teams. European Championship qualifiers are scheduled from Nov. 14-16, and the U.S. has an exhibition game at Ireland on Nov. 18.

The first legs of conference semifinals will be Nov. 22-23 and the second legs Nov. 29-30. The MLS final will be Dec. 7 at the finalist with the most regular-season points.