With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs chase is nearing its conclusion as clubs look to build momentum for an MLS Cup run.
Two Weeks Remain in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Chase
Decision Day is officially two weeks away as the race to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs reaches its defining moment.
With two matchdays on the schedule this week, the stakes continue to rise. Ten clubs have already clinched Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berths, while the remaining eight spots are still up for grabs. The race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot is razor-thin, with four clubs separated by just four points.
In the Western Conference, the battle for seeding is crucial, as home-field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series determines which club would host a decisive Game 3, if necessary. In those Game 3s, home teams have won 75% (9 of 12) since the inception of the format in 2023. Heading into Matchday 33, just four points separate the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds in the Western Conference, with St. Louis CITY SC leading the group and looking to secure home-field advantage this week.
What Does Late-Season Form Tell Us About MLS Cup Champions?
Getting hot at the right time can make all the difference in MLS, not only in securing an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth but also in making a run at MLS Cup.
Recent MLS Cup winners have followed a notable trend: Champions tend to be among the league's hottest teams entering the postseason. The last three MLS Cup champions, and seven of the last 10, ranked among the league's top five teams in points earned over their final 10 regular-season matches.
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Since the introduction of the Best-of-3 series in 2023, all three MLS Cup champions have had strong closes to the regular season despite the fact that none of those teams were the top seed in their conference. So the question is: which teams might fall within that range in 2026? Nashville SC leads the way, but the late-season form of Philadelphia Union and FC Dallas suggests both clubs could be poised to continue this trend.
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With three games left in the regular season for most clubs, a strong sprint to the postseason could make all the difference when determining who might lift the Philip F. Anschutz trophy.
Nashville SC Eyes MLS Points Record During Supporters’ Shield Celebration
Having officially clinched the Supporters’ Shield, Nashville SC could make Sunday's celebration even more historic by lifting the trophy and setting the MLS single-season points record on the same day.
Nashville will play both matches this week at GEODIS Park, where they remain unbeaten in regular-season play and could set the all-time single-season mark for the best home record in MLS. With wins against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday and Red Bull New York on Sunday, Nashville would set the MLS single-season points record, which is held by 2024 Inter Miami CF (74).
Sunday’s match against Red Bull New York will be a celebration as the club hoists the 2026 Supporters’ Shield for the first time in front of their home fans. With the trophy serving as the crowning achievement of a dominant season, could Sunday bring another historic milestone for the MLS Cup front-runners?
Is Antoine Griezmann the Most Impactful Summer Signing in MLS History?
When signing an international superstar like Antoine Griezmann, expectations are always high, but what he has done for Orlando City SC has been nothing short of historic.
Griezmann scored for the Lions on Saturday, recording his 20th goal contribution in just 15 regular-season appearances. He became the second-fastest player in MLS history to reach that milestone, trailing only Lionel Messi. Before Griezmann's arrival, Orlando City had earned just 14 points through their first 15 games. With the French superstar in the lineup, the Lions have collected 28 points and are firmly in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs picture.
Griezmann's production has been unprecedented, as no other summer signing in MLS history has recorded more goal contributions over the final half of a club's regular-season schedule. His acquisition has transformed an Orlando City side that now looks like a serious threat in the Eastern Conference. It might be unlikely, but Griezmann’s record-setting form could make him a dark horse for MLS Newcomer of the Year and MLS Best XI honors.
