A closer look at what to watch for on MLS Decision Day

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The 2026 MLS regular season is heading towards its climax with several still to be decided in both conferences. In the Eastern Conference, all of the playoff places have been clinched, but seeding has yet to be determined for several clubs. Supporters’ Shield-winning Nashville SC has already grabbed the No. 1 spot while the Philadelphia Union cannot move higher than the No. 6 seed. Nashville SC is also chasing league history, needing just one point against FC Cincinnati to set a new record for single-season points. There’s still plenty to play for in the Western Conference with six teams fighting for the final three playoff places. Among them are the LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, and Real Salt Lake. All Eastern Conference matchups will kickoff at 4 p.m. ET while the Western Conference matches begin at 7 p.m. ET.With Decision Day action set for Saturday, here’s a closer look on what to watch:Nashville SC chasing single-season point recordNashville SC’s historic season can reach a new high on Decision Day. The current Supporters’ Shield winners have a chance to break the league record for the most points in the regular season. Their 74 points earned have them tied with Inter Miami on the all-time list, but at least one point at FC Cincinnati on Saturday will officially give them the record. Eastern Conference seedingAll nine playoff spots in the East have been clinched, but the question that remains for many is, who finishes where?Nashville SC has already sealed the top spot while the Philadelphia Union knows that they can’t finish higher than No. 6. Both FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew could leapfrog the Union by Saturday’s end while ninth-place Orlando City cannot finish higher than the No. 7 seed. The Union host already-eliminated Toronto FC while FC Cincinnati hosts Nashville SC, the Crew visit the Chicago Fire, and Orlando City faces the New England Revolution at home. With a win and/or draw, both Philadelphia and Cincinnati would stay in their respective positions in the table, however if they manage to lose their respective matches and Columbus and Orlando manage to win their final matches of the season. they would leapfrog them in the standings and avoid playing in the play-in matches. On the opposite side of the standings, second-place Inter Miami will look to secure the No. 2 seed when they host Charlotte FC. Charlotte FC currently sits in fifth place in the East and knows a win on the road, paired with a Chicago Fire loss or draw could help them secure home-field advantage. However, should Chicago defeat the Columbus Crew, they would clinch home field while a draw or defeat could see the slides flip-flopped by day’s end.It’s pretty simple for Inter Miami to clinch the No. 2 seed, win at home against Charlotte FC. Third-place New England are only one point behind the Herons in the standings and could leapfrog them with a win over Orlando City paired with dropped points for Inter Miami.Three West playoff places up for grabsSix teams alive, three playoff places up for grabs. That is the current situation in the Western Conference. Only three points are separating seventh to 12th place in the conference, with two of those clubs doing battle on Saturday. The LA Galaxy are currently in seventh place and will look to clinch a playoff spot on the road against one of its direct opponents for a playoff spot, Real Salt Lake. As for RSL, a win over the Galaxy paired with losses or draws from the Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders will guarantee them a spot in the postseason. Portland travels to already-eliminated Austin FC sitting in eighth place and will look for a loss or draw from those teams below them in the standings to secure their spot in the playoffs. Minnesota United has the toughest road to making the playoffs, despite the Loons being just three points shy of the LA Galaxy in the standings. Not only will the Loons have to defeat the eliminated San Jose Earthquakes but also see several of the clubs above them drop points in their matchups.As for the Seattle Sounders and Colorado Rapids, they have two difficult matches ahead of them on Decision Day. The Sounders host LAFC and the Rapids visit FC Dallas, pitting both of them against two clubs that have already sealed playoff berths. Seattle knows a victory on the last day will go a long way, but they could also sneak in with a draw and results going against the way of Portland and Colorado. The same goes for Colorado with a victory giving them a great chance to clinch, but a draw in Dallas paired with other results could see them sneak into the playoffs.