The Major League Soccer playoffs are set to begin, and Canada is represented by two clubs: Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact.

Here's what you need to know about the playoff format and schedule, and the Canadian teams.

The playoffs

Toronto, the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, hosts No. 6 Philadelphia on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET), and No. 5 Montreal visits No. 4 D.C. United on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET).

The winners of those matches move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals, which begin Sunday. The top-seeded New York Red Bulls will face the worst remaining seed, and No. 2 New York City FC will face the best remaining seed (which would be Toronto if it advances).

The conference semis and conference finals are each made up of two legs, with each team playing a home game.

The winners of the conference finals will play in the one-off MLS Cup on Dec. 10, hosted by the team with the better record.

Storylines of the season

Toronto FC: The Reds (14-11-9) experienced a mid-season surge after an average start to the campaign with a seven-match unbeaten streak (six wins and a draw) in July and August. However, the team tailed off towards the end of the campaign, missing out on an opportunity for a bye to the conference semifinals.

Montreal Impact: Montreal (11-12-11) has more to it than the recent drama with Didier Drogba, but has fallen short of lofty pre-season expectations. Drogba is unlikely to play against D.C. due to what the team is saying is a back injury.

These are the men each team counts on to carry the offensive load through (what they hope to be) a deep playoff run.

Toronto FC: Sebastian Giovinco (16 goals, 14 assists)

Montreal Impact: Ignacio Piatti (17 goals, six assists)

Fan favourites

Drogba jerseys can be found throughout Stade Saputo in Montreal, and TFC supporters were beyond relieved when Giovinco returned from injury, but each team has players you can't help but root for.

Toronto FC: ​Captain Michael Bradley's steely resolve in midfield may not be glamorous, but the hard-working American has endeared himself to the Toronto faithful.

Montreal Impact: Forward Dominic Oduro's infectious personality makes him likeable to teammates and supporters, but it's his speed and veteran guile that make him indispensable to the Impact.

Random facts only a true fan would know

Toronto FC: Wednesday's match against the Philadelphia Union will be TFC's first home playoff date in the club's 10-year history. Looks like having the Argonauts move into BMO Field wasn't so bad after all.

Montreal Impact: If the Impact are doing their job properly, fans should leave home games with a ringing in their ears. Members of the 1642 supporters group ring the "North Star," a 1,500-pound bell, after every Montreal goal.

For context, here's Canadian bronze medallist Josee Belanger ringing the bell.