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MLS Decision Day 2026: How Crew, Sounders and RSL all secured playoff spots
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- MLS Decision Day 2026: How Crew, Sounders and RSL all secured playoff spots
MLS Decision Day has come and gone, with the final day of the regular season once again delivering a number of late goals that saw some teams rejoicing and others having to cope with the end of their year.
In the Eastern Conference, all nine playoff spots were already determined heading into the final day, and the playoff field and matchups were set. The Columbus Crew might have been the biggest winners, avoiding the wild-card round thanks to Brais Méndez's stoppage-time winner over the Chicago Fire. Nashville SC will be feeling good too, beating FC Cincinnati for the final act in a record-breaking season .
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In the Western Conference, the Cascadia clubs Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers both secured critical wins that saw them get into the postseason, while Real Salt Lake eliminated the LA Galaxy with a 2-1 victory.
Teams now will prepare for the playoffs, which begin after the November international window. Wild card matchups take place Nov. 19 while Round One series kick off Nov. 20
Here's how Decision Day unfolded:
That's all she wrote on MLS Decision Day!
It's the Timbers, Sounders and RSL holding onto their places in the Western Conference playoffs. Seasons are over for the Colorado Rapids, the LA Galaxy and for Minnesota United even though the Loons secured a win.
Goal! Kaick puts FC Dallas into the No. 2 seed and in the CCC catbird seat
It's 2-1 FC Dallas, and they are all but locked into the No. 2 seed - while the Rapids are all but eliminated.
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Ball from the back that the Rapids defenders can't clear and Kaick lets it roll until ti's right where he wants it atop the box.
Minnesota United gets the goal it needs...
Triantis swings his leg from the top of the box and hits the post, then it bounces off the Quakes goalkeeper and in.
The Loons are now ahead 2-1, which is the first thing they need to happen to get into the playoffs. But the other things they need have not happened - at least not yet.
We're still looking at the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake qualifying - though Seattle just conceded and can't afford to allow LAFC another goal.
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Goal! FC Dallas pulls back ahead in the CCC race - and the Rapids suffer
Josue Valiente finishes with a surge forward that Kaick is able to reward jsut a few minutes after FC Dallas had a goal ruled out for offside.
That puts FCD back into the No. 2 slot and knocks the Rapids out of the playoffs at the moment.
Golazo! What a goal from Kristoffer Velde
The Timbers are feeling good about their playoff place after going up 2-0 on Austin FC with an absolute belter from Velde.
That's the best goal of Decision Day so far in my opinion - though Rodrigo De Paul and a few others may have something to say about that.
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Minnesota United takes a step back
It's Tomas Chancalay who wins the ball in his own half and bursts forward, scoring in front of the home fans and setting off celebrations. The Loons need a win and some help, but they are at least back in the mix.
GOAL! The Rapids put themselves into the playoff slots
Morgan Whittaker comes into the box to run onto a ball put into the box by halftime substitute Georgi Minoungou.
That puts the Rapids into the Wild Card game where they'd host the Seattle Sounders. RSL and the Galaxy *both* would be out of the playoffs if the current scenario holds.
We're back in action on Decision Day!
The whistle blows all across the Western United States, and the ball is rolling again in every match.
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Let's see what surprise are in store.
Halftime in the Western Conference Decision Day matches
At the moment it'd be the Potland Timbers, Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake making the MLS playoffs, with the Rapids, LA Galaxy, and Minnesota United on the outside looking in.
Things swung in the second half of the Eastern Conference games, so we'll see what changes we get in the West!
The Galaxy pull one back
RSL have had all the chances, but the Galaxy are trying to find their way back in.
For the moment, it's still not enough but another goal would flip things.
It is two for Real Salt Lake, as the hosts score from a corner
After LA fails to clear a corner kick, Salt Lake is able to double its advantage, and the alarm bells are definitely sounding for the Galaxy.
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Timbers, Sounders, RSL currently clinching their playoff spots. The Rapids, Galaxy and Minnesota United would be out.
GOAL! Solans with a big one for RSL
It's now Portland, Seattle and RSL in the playoffs with Solans getting alone behind the back line and beating the goalkeeper with a nice move to his right.
It's 1-0 RSL early in a game that is functionally a direct play-in.
Portland also gets an early goal to secure the seventh place
Ariel Lassiter dashes down the right side and no one from Austin FC really stops him. The Timbers take the lead, which puts them into seventh, drops Seattle to 8th and the Galaxy to 9th.
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The Seattle Sounders get it started early with a goal
A giveaway at the back leads to Christian Roldan setting up Albert Rusnak for a first-minute goal ! That's bad news for the other teams hoping to get Western spots tonight as the Sounders jump into seventh, bumping the Galaxy and Timbers down - the Rapids would be out right now.
It's still very early, though.
Kickoffs in the Western Conference!
We're underway with the simultaneous kickoffs in the West. Three spots are up for grabs.
What's at stake in the MLS Western Conference?
These teams are still alive for the playoffs but haven't clinched a place:
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LA Galaxy
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Portland Timbers
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Colorado Rapids
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Seattle Sounders
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Real Salt Lake
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Minnesota United
The Galaxy play Real Salt Lake, with both teams trying to win and clinch a spot. The other matchups are between teams hoping to qualify and teams with their fate already decided.
The Vancouver Whitecaps have locked up the top spot, but the second seed is still up for grabs. If FC Dallas wins against the Colorado Rapids, not only would it get the two seed, it would be in line for a Concacaf Champions Cup spot should a team already qualified for CCC through the MLS mechanisms win MLS Cup.
MLS Eastern Conference playoff matchups set
Here's what we're looking at after the international window when the postseason begins on Nov. 19.
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Full time in the Eastern Conference Decision Day contests
The matchups are set! After the Crew's late winner, the wild card game is Orlando City against FC Cincinnati, despite Orlando's victory against the Revs.
Nashville sets the points record, while Inter Miami stays in that No. 2 slot despite a late capitulation.
GOAL! Columbus take the lead and leap out of the Wild Card game - for now
A deflected cross is half-cleared, but there's Brais Mendez able to fire off a shot from close-range and put it in the back of the net.
That vaults the Crew out of the Wild Card game and into the No. 7 seed, which would see the team face No. 2 Inter Miami.
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It's FT in South Florida, with Inter Miami and Charlotte splitting a point, so Chicago would stay in the top four as well even with this defeat.
Charlotte is level! But Messi nearly hits back!
A crazy ending in South Florida. Charlotte scores a third consecutive goal to equalize and potentially earn a point.
It's Rodolfo Aloko, who we profiled this week thanks to his Messi connection, having helped send the legend off in Argentina's match with Benin. He finishes after a poor Micael clearance led to a shot off the post.
But from the restart it's Messi off the post, too! Miami still trying to avoid the draw here, and Messi's shot looked like it was goingin, but it's off the post.
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Nashville will make history
Unless something drastically changes, it's an MLS record for Nashville SC. Surridge scores again, and now it's 2-0 Nashville.
Hell Is Real, the rivalry between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, currently would be the Wild Card matchup with Cincinnati hosting.
Sullivan to Sullivan!
It's not the most significant game for standings purposes, but what a cool moment with Quinn Sullivan setting up brother Cavan for the younger sibling's second goal of the game. The Union lead Toronto FC and look locked in as the No. 6 seed.
Surridge scores to put Nashville in front
Andy Najar sets up his forward and
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Nashville would lock up the best-ever MLS regular season point total, and Cincinnati would drop into the Wild Card matchup - and would lead to a Hell is Real game in the postseason!
Here comes Charlotte?
After Inter Miami's three-goal first half, it's the visitors who have scored the next two. It's Leil Abada starting the move and then finishing from the edge of the area for his second goal of the night.
Ball is rolling again in Orlando, Miami, Chicago and more
We're back underway on Decision Day, with the ball rolling in the second half of Eastern Conference matches.
Halftime in the Eastern Conference matches
We're midway through the first matches of the day. There are no playoff spots up for grabs in the Eastern Conference. The big stories are Inter Miami cutting through Charlotte FC to put a chokehold on the No. 2 seed, Chicago maintining home-field advantage with a lead on Columbus and Orlando City leading as they look to host the Wild Card match.
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Orlando City hits a beauty with a benefit
Braian Ojeda, the less famous Ojeda on the Orlando City roster, scores an absolute beauty from outside the box. It's a goal that puts the Lions into 8th, meaning that as things stand they'd host the Wild Card match against Columbus Crew.
Inter Miami with a second goal from a Lionel Messi corner
After a failed clearance led to Ian Fray smashing a goal home, Lionel Messi sets up Luis Suarez at the back post for a second goal.
It's still early, but Miami with the inside track on the No. 2 seed, and Charlotte seeing its hopes of a top-four place slipping away.
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Cavan Sullivan finds another goal to put Union ahead
The 17-year-old benefitted from a nice pass from his brother to Indiana Vassilev. After he takes the ball wide, he's able to pass to Sullivan, who tucks it in from close range.
It's the eighth goal of the season for the teenager and his 22nd goal contribution of the year.
Fire-Crew the 'crazy game' early on
Already, it is 2-2 with Lewandowski again converting from the spot, but a 16th-minute goal from Gonzalo Tapia and a powerful low shot from Anass Zaroury has things level once again. For now, the Fire are hanging on to that fourth slot while Crew
Lewandowski opens the scoring for Chicago Fire
It's the Fire now in fourth with the home-field advantage that comes with it in a big swing. Robert Lewandowski coverts from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. It comes just moment after Charlotte FC thought it had an opener against Inter Miami only to see it waved off for handball after a VAR review.
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Eastern Conference Decision Day matches kick off!
Simultaneous kickoffs so there's no funny business. We've got games in Chicago, Miami, Cincinnati, Montreal, Philadelphia, Harrison, NJ, Orlando, D.C. and Philadelphia and they're all underway!
Landon Donovan ready to watch current Landon Donovan MVP award winner
The USMNT legend has the MLS MVP trophy named after him. Lionel Messi has won the last two of those awards, and the deadline for MVP (and other MLS awards) is approaching.
Donovan is at Nu Stadium in Miami ready to take in the current Landon Donovan MLS MVP holder as Messi and Co. face Charlotte FC.
Is Lionel Messi starting for Inter Miami on Decision Day?
The No. 10 is in the XI, with Inter Miami looking to secure its seeding in a contest with Charlotte. Miami sits second in the East and can't catch Nashville SC but needs to have a better result than the third-place New England Revolution to lock up the No. 2 spot.
Nashville pushing hard for all-time record
With that number one spot locked up and no match until Nov. 20 at the earliest, Nashville has made just one change to its starting XI. Injured defender Jeisson Palacios isn't in the squad, with Jack Maher slotting in at center back.
Qualified for MLS playoffs
Eastern Conference
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Nashville SC (clinched Supporters' Shield)
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Inter Miami CF
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New England Revolution
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Chicago Fire FC
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Charlotte FC
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Philadelphia Union
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FC Cincinnati
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Columbus Crew
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Orlando City SC
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Western Conference
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Vancouver Whitecaps
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FC Dallas
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San Jose Earthquakes
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St. Louis CITY SC
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Houston Dynamo FC
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LAFC
Still in MLS playoff contention
Western Conference
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LA Galaxy
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Portland Timbers
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Colorado Rapids
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Seattle Sounders
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Real Salt Lake
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Minnesota United
Eliminated from playoff contention
Eastern Conference
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New York Red Bulls
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New York City FC
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Toronto FC
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Atlanta United
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D.C. United
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CF Montréal
Western Conference
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San Diego FC
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Austin FC
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Sporting Kansas City
MLS standings
View full MLS standings HERE .
MLS Decision Day schedule
The full list of games for Decision Day is below.
(All games available on Apple TV )
4 p.m. ET
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CF Montréal vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
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Chicago Fire FC vs. Columbus Crew
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D.C. United vs. New York City FC
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FC Cincinnati vs. Nashville SC
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Inter Miami CF vs. Charlotte FC
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Orlando City SC vs. New England Revolution
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Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC
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New York Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United FC
7 p.m. ET
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Austin FC vs. Portland Timbers
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FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids
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Houston Dynamo FC vs. St. Louis CITY SC
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Minnesota United FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes
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Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy
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San Diego FC vs. Sporting Kansas City
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Seattle Sounders FC vs. LAFC
MLS playoff clinching scenarios
Below is the full list of clinching and elimination scenarios, courtesy of MLS:
Eastern Conference
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N/A
Western Conference
LA GALAXY (44 points, 12-14-7)
The LA Galaxy clinch 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs berth with:
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LA Galaxy WIN at Real Salt Lake OR
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LA Galaxy DRAW at Real Salt Lake AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS/DRAW vs. LAFC OR
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LA Galaxy DRAW at Real Salt Lake AND Portland Timbers LOSS/DRAW at Austin FC OR
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LA Galaxy DRAW at Real Salt Lake AND Colorado Rapids LOSS/DRAW at FC Dallas OR
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Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas OR
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Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes OR
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Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes OR
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Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes
PORTLAND TIMBERS (43 points, 12-14-7)
The Portland Timbers clinch MLS Cup Playoffs berth with:
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Portland Timbers WIN at Austin FC OR
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Portland Timbers DRAW at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas OR
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Portland Timbers DRAW at Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS/DRAW vs. LAFC OR
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Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes OR
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Portland Timbers DRAW at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids DRAW at FC Dallas AND Portland Timbers WIN tiebreaker over Colorado Rapids OR
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Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Portland Timbers WIN tiebreaker over Colorado Rapids OR
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Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Portland Timbers WIN tiebreaker over Colorado Rapids OR
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Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Portland Timbers WIN tiebreaker over Colorado Rapids
COLORADO RAPIDS (43 points, 12-14-7)
The Colorado Rapids clinch MLS Cup Playoffs berth with:
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Colorado Rapids WIN at FC Dallas OR
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Colorado Rapids DRAW at FC Dallas AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC OR
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Colorado Rapids DRAW at FC Dallas AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS/DRAW vs. LAFC OR
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Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes OR
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Colorado Rapids DRAW at FC Dallas AND Portland Timbers DRAW at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN tiebreaker over Portland Timbers OR
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Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Colorado Rapids WIN tiebreaker over Portland Timbers OR
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Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Colorado Rapids WIN tiebreaker over Portland Timbers OR
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Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Colorado Rapids WIN tiebreaker over Portland Timbers
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (43 points, 11-12-10)
Seattle Sounders FC clinches MLS Cup Playoffs berth with:
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Seattle Sounders FC WIN vs. LAFC AND LA Galaxy LOSS/DRAW at Real Salt Lake OR
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Seattle Sounders FC WIN vs. LAFC AND Portland Timbers LOSS/DRAW at Austin FC OR
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Seattle Sounders FC WIN vs. LAFC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS/DRAW at FC Dallas OR
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Seattle Sounders FC DRAW vs. LAFC AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas OR
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Seattle Sounders FC DRAW vs. LAFC AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes OR
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Seattle Sounders FC DRAW vs. LAFC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes OR
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Seattle Sounders FC DRAW vs. LAFC AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN tiebreaker over Minnesota United FC OR
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Seattle Sounders FC DRAW vs. LAFC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN tiebreaker over Minnesota United FC
REAL SALT LAKE (42 points, 12-15-6)
Real Salt Lake clinches MLS Cup Playoffs berth with:
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Real Salt Lake WIN vs. LA Galaxy AND Portland Timbers LOSS/DRAW at Austin FC OR
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Real Salt Lake WIN vs. LA Galaxy AND Colorado Rapids LOSS/DRAW at FC Dallas OR
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Real Salt Lake WIN vs. LA Galaxy AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS/DRAW vs. LAFC OR
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Real Salt Lake DRAW vs. LA Galaxy AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes OR
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Real Salt Lake DRAW vs. LA Galaxy AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC OR
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Real Salt Lake DRAW vs. LA Galaxy AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC OR
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Real Salt Lake DRAW vs. LA Galaxy AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC
MINNESOTA UNITED FC (41 points, 10-12-11)
Minnesota United FC clinches MLS Cup Playoffs berth with:
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Minnesota United FC WIN vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas OR
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Minnesota United FC WIN vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC OR
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Minnesota United FC WIN vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC OR
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Minnesota United FC WIN vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC DRAW vs. LAFC AND Minnesota United FC WIN tiebreaker over Seattle Sounders FC OR
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Minnesota United FC WIN vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Colorado Rapids LOSS at FC Dallas AND Seattle Sounders FC DRAW vs. LAFC AND Minnesota United FC WIN tiebreaker over Seattle Sounders FC
MLS playoff seeding scenarios
Eastern Conference
CHICAGO FIRE FC (55 points, 16-10-7)
Chicago Fire FC clinches home-field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series with:
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Chicago Fire FC WIN vs. Columbus Crew OR
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Charlotte FC LOSS/DRAW at Inter Miami CF
CHARLOTTE FC (53 points, 15-10-8)
Charlotte FC clinches home-field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series with:
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Charlotte FC WIN at Inter Miami CF AND Chicago Fire FC LOSS/DRAW vs. Columbus Crew
Western Conference
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (52 points, 14-9-10)
The San Jose Earthquakes clinch home-field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series with:
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San Jose Earthquakes WIN/DRAW at Minnesota United FC OR
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Houston Dynamo FC WIN/LOSS vs. St. Louis CITY SC OR
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Houston Dynamo FC DRAW vs. St. Louis CITY SC AND San Jose Earthquakes WIN tiebreaker over Houston Dynamo FC
ST. LOUIS CITY SC (51 points, 14-10-9)
St. Louis CITY SC clinches home-field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series with:
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St. Louis CITY SC WIN/DRAW at Houston Dynamo FC
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC (51 points, 14-10-9)
Houston Dynamo FC clinches home-field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series with:
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Houston Dynamo FC WIN vs. St. Louis CITY SC OR
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Houston Dynamo FC DRAW vs. St. Louis CITY SC AND San Jose Earthquakes LOSS at Minnesota United FC AND Houston Dynamo FC WIN tiebreaker over San Jose Earthquakes
Lionel Messi MLS Golden Boot race
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has 26 goals, four ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa on 22. The Argentine is likely to become the first player in league history to win consecutive Golden Boots, and the sixth player to win the trophy twice.
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Nashville SC MLS points record
Nashville SC enters the final round of matches with 74 points, tying Inter Miami's 2024 season for the all-time league record. Nashville only needs a draw against FC Cincinnati to secure the record for itself.
What is the format and schedule for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs?
A total of 18 teams qualify for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs — the top nine finishers from each conference.
The eighth- and ninth-place finishers in each conference will play in wild-card matches. The top seven seeds qualify for the Round 1 best-of-three series.
What is the MLS playoff schedule?
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Nov. 18:Wild-card matches (single-elimination matches)
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Nov. 20-Dec. 2:Round 1 (best-of-three series)
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Dec. 5-6:Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
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Dec. 11-12:Conference finals (single-elimination matches)
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Dec. 18:MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS Decision Day 2026: How Crew, Sounders and RSL all secured playoff spots
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