USMNT MLS Recap (November 1): Josh Sargent on the score sheet, Julian Hall can't save New York Red Bull
Though the Eastern Conference's nine playoff teams were determined last week, there are still a handful of seeding and clinching scenarios that could still play out during Decision Day. Here's how the second half of last weekend's action went and what to expect ahead of Decision Day.
Seattle Sounders fall behind quickly against the Vancouver Whitecaps
The Seattle Sounders had a great opportunity to avoid being sucked into the Decision Day drama, but a sloppy opening 10 minutes to the game ended any chance of that happening, with the Vancouver Whitecaps winning the contest 5-1.
Atlanta United ends Toronto FC's playoff hopes
It only took Atlanta United 50 minutes to play spoiler in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Within a 30-minute span, Atlanta scored three goals, ultimately beating Toronto FC by a 3-1 scoreline. Josh Sargent recorded an assist, while Djordje Mihailovic was once again involved for the full match.
Julian Hall scores, but Nashville SC rallies to end Red Bull New York's postseason hopes
In a late push to retain his spot with the USMNT, Julian Hall gave Red Bull New York an early 1-0 lead against Nashville SC. However, Red Bull New York could not get a result, ultimately dropping the penultimate game of their campaign by a 3-2 scoreline. Nashville's win also confirmed postseason berths for the Columbus Crew and Orlando City. With those two teams securing qualification, the nine teams representing the Eastern Conference in the MLS Cup Playoffs have been confirmed.
New England cedes control of second in the Eastern Conference to Inter Miami in head-to-head encounter
The Revs built a 1-0 lead early in the second half against Inter Miami, but would end up losing the match 2-1. Goalkeeper Matt Turner played the full contest for the Revs, recording three saves against Miami's six shots on target.
What's next?
Next week will bethe final weekend of regular-season action for the 2026 MLS campaign, often referred to as Decision Day. All 30 MLS teams will be in action on Saturday, November 7.
The first 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time match will see the Chicago Fire host the Columbus Crew. Chicago will bring a two-point advantage over Charlotte FC for fourth in the MLS standings into the match; they can secure such seeding and home-field advantage in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs with a win, while a draw will achieve the same result if Charlotte fails to earn a win against Inter Miami.
Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati will play host to Nashville SC. Nashville will not have anything to play for on Decision Day, but FC Cincinnati has a chance to ensure that they do not have to play in the Wild Card game and secure a first-round matchup with one of New England, Inter Miami, Chicago, and Charlotte. Failure to do so will mean that they will have to play in the Wild Card game and then, should they win that contest, take on this same Nashville side in a best-of-three first-round series.
Even though a midseason surge took the Philadelphia Union into a postseason spot, they will enter their Decision Day contest against Toronto FC looking to avoid a catastrophic slip-up. They hold a three-point advantage over eighth-place Columbus Crew, but a loss and wins by Cincinnati and Columbus will mean that the Union will host the one-game Wild Card round (Orlando City cannot pass the Union). Toronto FC will have nothing to play for after losing out on playoff contention this weekend.
In another Decision Day contest that will impact seeding, Inter Miami will play host to a Charlotte team that can still earn home-field advantage in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, which will see them take on the Chicago Fire. Inter Miami can secure second place in the Eastern Conference and home-field advantage for the first two rounds of the MLS Cup Playoffs with a win in this fixture.
Despite clinching a postseason berth, Orlando City can still escape the Wild Card spots when they take on the New England Revolution. A win against the Revolution will bring Orlando City level with seventh-place FC Cincinnati, though they will need them to lose and Columbus to settle for a draw to be able to get out of the one-game playoff. The Revs are guaranteed home-field advantage and a top-three finish in the Eastern Conference, though they can reclaim second place as long as they beat Inter Miami's result against Charlotte by one point.
The first 7:00 p.m. Decision Day contest will see the Houston Dynamo host St. Louis City. Not only will this match almost certainly decide who gets home-field advantage and who doesn't, but it could just as easily act as a first-round playoff preview. If the season ended after this weekend's action, the Houston Dynamo and St. Louis City would play each other in the first round of MLS Cup Playoffs action.
The Portland Timbers will enter their Decision Day match against Austin FC, which is already out of playoff contention, with a chance to complete a late-season run of form and make the postseason. They currently control the eighth seed in the Western Conference, which would see them host that side of the bracket's Wild Card game; a result of any kind guarantees them 11th in the Conference, though a win will see them clinch by virtue of earning the wins tiebreaker over 10th-place Seattle.
Portland might hold the advantage when it comes to the final playoff spot, but Minnesota United could still derail their party when they play host to San Jose. That said, Minnesota would need a lot to go right; not only do they have to defeat San Jose, but they also would need Portland to lose and both the Sounders and Salt Lake to draw or lose their respective contests. Further up the Western Conference table, San Jose can finish as low as fifth, though they can also move up to second if they defeat Minnesota and FC Dallas loses to Colorado.
Speaking of Dallas and Colorado, that contest could easily shake up part of the Western Conference playoff bracket. I mentioned the Decision Day scenarios involving FC Dallas above, but Colorado could easily get dragged into a mind-bending playoff chase if they cannot get the win. If Colorado draws against Dallas, they would need three of Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake, and Minnesota to lose their respective games. If Colorado loses, a result of any kind from two of the aforementioned clubs will eliminate them from the postseason race.
Both the Seattle Sounders and LAFC will have things to play for on Decision Day. The latter has not yet secured a postseason spot, though they can still do so with a win against LAFC and help elsewhere. A draw will also suffice as long as Salt Lake and Portland do not win their respective contests, though the latter can also get in with a draw given their advantage in both the wins and goal difference tiebreakers. For LAFC, it's not necessarily a matter of if they will make the playoffs, but in what capacity they will do so. They could still end up finishing sixth or seventh in the Western Conference, though they cannot slip into the Wild Card race or move up into fifth.
The LA Galaxy could also see their postseason hopes dashed at the last moment, though they're in a little less danger of falling victim to that scenario. A win against Salt Lake will give them a postseason berth, though a draw will do if two of Colorado, Portland, Seattle, and Minnesota do not win their games. Salt Lake would clinch a postseason berth with a win and a draw or loss by any two of the four previously-listed clubs. A draw gets them into the playoffs if Portland and Seattle lose and if Minnesota does not win its contest with San Jose.
Today's best reads
USMNT MLS Recap (October 28): Major shake-up in wild card races, Charlotte poised to snatch home-field advantage
USMNT MLS Recap (October 31): As Decision Day looms, Cavan Sullivan returns, Matt Freese can't save NYCFC
USMNT MLS Recap (October 24): Nashville secures Supporters Shield, St. Louis continues to slip
Neil Pierre signs contract extension after positive post-World Cup period
USMNT Ligue 1 match day 9 recap: Balogun nets first goal since World Cup
