The Major League Soccer regular season came to an end Saturday with all 30 teams in action. Eastern Conference clubs jockeyed over playoff positioning, while the Western Conference provided more drama as three playoffs berths remained up for grabs. Here's how things unfolded on Decision Day and what the playoff bracket looks like heading into the MLS postseason.
Eastern Conference
Nashville SC etched their name into Major League Soccer history on Decision Day by beating FC Cincinnati 2-0 at TQL Stadium to break the single-season points record.
By finishing the season with 77 points, Nashville surpassed the previous record of 74 points, which was established by Inter Miami in 2024.
BEST. REGULAR. SEASON. OF. ALL. TIME. https://t.co/XuFbisr5mV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 7, 2026
Nashville struggled to break down FC Cincinnati to start Saturday's game before Sam Surridge scored a second-half brace to seal Nashville's place in MLS history.
The victory capped off a memorable season already highlighted by Nashville SC winning their first Supporters' Shield title. Nashville also finished with the league's best defense after conceding 25 goals in 34 games.
Elsewhere, the Columbus Crew avoided having to play in the wild-card game after scoring a dramatic winning goal to beat the Chicago Fire 4-3. The result ensured that Orlando City and FC Cincinnati will play in the wild-card game instead.
OH MY BRAIS MÉNDEZ! As it stands, @ColumbusCrew would avoid the Wildcard match with a win. 👀 https://t.co/PCp4BwiqnH
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 7, 2026
Inter Miami remained in second place despite giving away a 3-0 lead, ultimately drawing Charlotte 3-3. Lionel Messi almost scored to win the game and pad his Golden Boot lead, but he ended the season stuck on 26 goals after his shot hit the post.
The New England Revolution had a chance to leapfrog Messi and Co. to move into second place, but they were defeated by Orlando.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Whitecaps clinched the second-best record in MLS after beating Montreal CF 2-0. The win secured a club-record 64 points for Vancouver, which enters the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Eastern Conference playoff matchups
Wild-card match
- Orlando City (8) vs. FC Cincinnati (9)
The wild-card match will be played Nov. 18, with the higher seed hosting the contest. The winner will advance to the first round - a best-of-three series - against Nashville, which had already secured the East's No. 1 seed (and the Supporters' Shield) prior to Decision Day.
- Nashville SC (1) vs. Orlando City or FC Cincinnati
- Inter Miami (2) vs. Columbus Crew (7)
- New England Revolution (3) vs. Philadelphia Union (6)
- Chicago Fire (4) vs. Charlotte FC (5)
Western Conference
Real Salt Lake delivered a huge performance on Decision Day with a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy to clinch a playoff spot. The victory helped RSL secure a place in the wild-card game while eliminating the Galaxy from playoff contention.
it’s a postseason tradition 😌 https://t.co/slOm8ERhcB
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 8, 2026
Real Salt Lake were among six Western Conference teams vying for one of three playoff berths heading into the final day of the regular season.
The Seattle Sounders also secured a playoff spot after beating Los Angeles FC 2-1. No. 8 seed Seattle will take on No. 9 Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference wild-card game.
The Portland Timbers overcame Austin FC 2-0 to clinch the other playoff opening, finishing seventh in the Western Conference.
Along with the Galaxy, Minnesota United and the Colorado Rapids also saw their playoff hopes dashed on Decision Day.
Eastern Conference playoff matchups
Wild-card match
- Seattle Sounders (8) vs. Real Salt Lake (9)
Round 1
- Vancouver Whitecaps (1) vs. Seattle Sounders or Real Salt Lake
- FC Dallas (2) vs. Portland Timbers (7)
- St. Louis City (3) vs. Los Angeles FC (6)
- San Jose Earthquakes (4) vs. Houston Dynamo (5)
The MLS Cup final will take place Dec. 18.
