Wooden Spoon, Golden Boot and playoff spots: what to watch for on MLS Decision Day
The postseason is nearly upon us but there’s plenty to still be decided as the end of the regular season approaches
Just days after millions of Americans cast their votes in the midterm elections, we will soon arrive at the second-most meaningful decider in US society: Major League Soccer’s Decision Day. With eight 4pm ET kickoffs on the east coast and another seven games kicking off hours later out west on Saturday, there’s still plenty to play for at the end of the regular season.
Who snatches the Wooden Spoon? Nashville SC sewed up the Supporters’ Shield with a couple games to spare, so let’s turn our attention to the bleaker part of the table.
Sporting KC have been absolutely dreadful this year and very nearly clinched the Wooden Spoon – the honorary, fan-created award given to the league’s worst club – last week. A stoppage-time penalty save, though, preserved the club’s draw with FC Dallas and handed them a route to escape the bottom of the table. Entering Decision Day, Sporting KC remain within striking distance of second-to-last-place Montréal, who sits three points ahead of them.
A Sporting KC win over San Diego along with a Montréal loss to Vancouver would see the two teams level on 26 points. In any other global league, we’d go to goal difference to declare a winner. But MLS – much like your favorite overpriced artisanal burger establishment – “does things a little differently”. The league relies on wins, and SKC would finish with seven to Montréal’s six. It’s been a long season for KC, but at least the club’s fans have this tiny, single glimmer of hope entering the final week of the regular season. Pablo Iglesias Maurer
Where does Inter Miami end up? Miami has long been out of the Shield race but they’d very much like to hang on to the No 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. A win against Charlotte would ensure that. A draw or loss forces them to rely on a New England defeat. Thankfully for the Herons, they have already clinched qualification for the Concacaf Champions Cup, giving them a chance to redeem themselves after crashing out in the last 16 of this year’s edition.
Perhaps more intriguing than any battle for seeding is Lionel Messi’s quest for the Golden Boot, which seems all but assured. His 26 goals put him four clear of his nearest competitor, seemingly guaranteeing he’ll become the first player in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons. PIM
Who misses out in the East? The East’s nine postseason qualifiers have been determined thanks to a shock last-minute equalizer from lowly Montréal last Saturday. Their leveler brought an end to New York City FC’s hopes of matching last fall’s run to the conference final. NYC FC will miss the postseason for just the third time in club history after showing an inability to notch wins without star striker Alonso Martínez.
Also missing are Red Bull New York, who failed to support a bumper crop of homegrown talent headlined by Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti. The Red Bulls have impressed in several matches in Michael Bradley’s first season as an MLS manager, but may have gone further with better veteran support. Toronto FC also saw their season come to an end with a loss to Atlanta United, a second consecutive missed postseason under Robin Fraser, and a sixth straight playoff absence altogether. Jeff Rueter
Who misses out in the West? Much more to be sorted here, with six teams vying for three unclaimed spots.
The LA Galaxy (seventh) have largely weathered another year without Riqui Puig – their star midfielder has endured a difficult recovery and two surgeries since his ACL tear in the 2024 conference final. Marco Reus has been vital as chief playmaker, and they visit Real Salt Lake (11th) in a pivotal clash. RSL have bounced back from a summer swoon after selling Zavier Gozo, with a final chance to punch a postseason ticket.
The Portland Timbers (eighth) have arguably been the West’s hottest team since sacking Phil Neville at the World Cup break, with wins against already qualified Charlotte, St Louis, and Houston in their last three games. They’ll visit eliminated Austin to try to complete the season comeback. The Colorado Rapids (ninth) beat conference-leading Vancouver two weeks ago, but have the day’s toughest task with a trip to FC Dallas. Injury troubles and suspect defending have put the Seattle Sounders (10th) on the brink of the club’s second missed postseason – they need a win against Los Angeles FC.
Minnesota United (12th) staved off elimination by winning at LAFC last weekend, but will need to beat San Jose and get help elsewhere for an unexpected playoff berth after a stretch of one win in 18 league games. JR
This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. Subscribe for free here.
