Playoff places were confirmed, a trophy was lifted, and one of the superstars of the league put in a top performance in the penultimate round of MLS regular season games.
Next weekend is Decision Day as the final round of matches are played before the playoffs begin.
Some teams gave themselves a chance of post-season participation going into the last game, while others confirmed that their season will end next weekend.
As the business end of the MLS season is just around the corner, let’s see who’s still in business.
Vancouver Whitecaps hit form
It was an FC Dallas draw that confirmed the Whitecaps’ place at the top of the Western Conference table for 2026, but it was a comprehensive victory against Seattle Sounders a day later that asserted their status as the West’s best team going into the playoffs.
The Whitecaps top numerous statistical charts as the season approaches its end, including having the highest xG (70.3) and the lowest xG conceded (37.3).
They have also created the most big chances (124), had the most touches in the opposition box (1,101), made the most tackles per game (18.8), and won the ball back in the final third more often than any other team on a per-game basis (5.7).
It paints a picture of a high-pressing, attacking team, who try to win the ball back quickly and get it into the box as much as possible.
To round this off, they are currently level with Supporters’ Shield winners Nashville on the highest average FotMob team rating.
Seattle were soundly beaten 5-1, leaving their own playoff hopes in the balance, while the Whitecaps, in convincing fashion, proved they are the best team in the West and the best MLS team in Canada.
Nashville remain on course for record after comeback win
Just as you start to wax lyrical about Red Bull New York’s teenage wonderkids combining for a goal before their team go up 2-0 against league leaders Nashville, the story shifts to one of disappointment for the New Jersey side and to a great comeback by the team who lifted the Supporters’ Shield after the final whistle.
It’s still worth noting the Red Bulls’ opener, for which their teenage trio sliced right through the middle of a Nashville team that boasts the league’s best defensive record.
Sekou Kone, 19, began the move, finding 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti, who immediately fed the ball through to 18-year-old Julian Hall, who finished as he has done so often this season, netting his 13th goal of the campaign.
When Rafael Mosquera added a second before halftime, it looked like the Red Bulls might be set for a surprise win and a chance at playoff qualification, but a couple of own goals and a late winner from Sam Surridge ended a disappointing second half in the worst way possible.
The comeback win meant Nashville equalled Inter Miami’s MLS regular season points record of 74 set in 2024, and gave them a strong chance of setting a new record when they face FC Cincinnati in the final game of the regular season next weekend.
The defeat meant the Red Bulls failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second season running, and for all the positives around promising young players and some encouraging play under Michael Bradley, it meant they ended the season with a sense of disappointment.
All quiet on the Eastern front
The Red Bulls are one of a number of Eastern Conference teams whose playoff hopes have ended even with a game still to play.
In fact, none of the teams currently below the playoff line can qualify on next weekend’s Decision Day round, as in the East, those particular decisions have already been made.
In a league where 60% of the teams qualify for the postseason, including the wild card round as well as the playoffs proper, failing to qualify signifies a disappointing campaign.
Both New York teams will miss out, as City join the Red Bulls in the realm of mediocrity, while below those two, Toronto FC, DC United, Atlanta United, and CF Montreal are all asking questions of themselves after a poor showing.
There are still playoff places to be decided in the West, though, with LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, and Colorado Rapids occupying playoff spots that could be lost on the final day as Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake, and Minnesota United are poised to take their place.
The head-to-head match between two of those teams, Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy, might well leave the winner in and the loser out.
Marco Reus’ hat-trick of assists
It’s been a relatively quiet season for Marco Reus, as the former German international’s performances have tended to match those of his team, LA Galaxy.
As mentioned above, the Galaxy have not yet confirmed their place in the playoffs, having won as many as they’ve lost, and indeed having drawn as many as they’ve lost, with a record of 11-11-11.
Reus’ three assists in the much-needed 4-1 win against Austin FC ahead of Decision Day make him the highest-rated player of the match day.
The German has been putting up some decent numbers late in the season, and now has six assists and four goals in his last nine appearances, which is even more impressive when you consider only five of them were starts.
One more big performance next weekend will send LA Galaxy into the playoffs.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
You can follow every match from MLS with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including player ratings. Download the free app here.