Just after the nation voted in the midterms, MLS rolls out its own high‑stakes Decision Day. With eight 4 p.m. ET kick‑offs on the East Coast and seven more out West Saturday, the regular season still has plenty to gamble for. Who will claim the crown?.
Who will claim the Wooden Spoon?
Nashville SC locked up the Supporters’ Shield early, so the spotlight shifts to the table’s darker corner.
Sporting KC have teetered on the brink of the Wooden Spoon all season, barely avoiding it last week when a stoppage‑time penalty save earned a draw with FC Dallas. Now they sit just three points behind second‑to‑last Montréal heading into Decision Day.
If Sporting KC defeat San Diego while Montréal slips to Vancouver, both clubs finish on 26 points. Unlike most leagues, MLS looks first at wins, giving KC seven victories to Montréal’s six. It’s a slim lifeline for the fans as the final week looms. Pablo Iglesias Maurer
Where will Inter Miami finish?
Miami can no longer chase the Shield, but they’re eager to protect the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed. A win over Charlotte locks it in; a draw or loss forces them to hope New England falters. At least the Herons have already secured a spot in next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup after an early exit this season.
All eyes remain on Lionel Messi’s Golden Boot chase, which looks all but certain. His 26 goals sit four ahead of the nearest rival, poised to make him the first player to capture the award in back‑to‑back seasons. PIM
Which Eastern teams will miss out?
The East’s nine playoff berths were set after a last‑minute equaliser by lowly Montréal knocked New York City FC out. The surprise goal ended NYC FC’s bid to repeat last fall’s conference‑final run, marking only the third postseason miss in club history without striker Alonso Martínez delivering wins.
Red Bull New York also fell short, despite a crop of homegrown talent like Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti. Michael Bradley’s inaugural MLS season showed flashes, yet veteran depth was lacking. Toronto FC’s season ended with a loss to Atlanta United, marking a second straight postseason absence under Robin Fraser and a sixth consecutive miss overall. Jeff Rueter
Which Western clubs will be left out? Can the West produce a surprise playoff entrant?
Six clubs still battle for three remaining playoff slots.
The LA Galaxy, sitting seventh, have endured another year without Riqui Puig, whose recovery has required two surgeries since his ACL tear in the 2024 conference final. Marco Reus has stepped up as chief creator as they travel to Real Salt Lake (11th) in a must‑win showdown. The RSL side rebounded from a summer slump after parting with Zavier Gozo and now eye a final ticket.
Portland Timbers, now eighth, have become the West’s hottest side since dismissing Phil Neville at the World Cup break, beating already‑qualified Charlotte, St Louis and Houston in their last three outings. They head to eliminated Austin to try to cap the comeback. Colorado Rapids (ninth) stunned conference‑leading Vancouver two weeks ago but face their toughest test on the road at FC Dallas. Injury woes and shaky defending have left Seattle Sounders (10th) on the verge of a second straight postseason miss; they must beat LAFC.
Minnesota United (12th) escaped elimination by triumphing at LAFC last weekend, yet they’ll need victories over San Jose and external help to snatch an unlikely playoff berth after a stretch of just one win in 18 league games. JR