Five Must-Watch MLS Showdowns That Will Determine Playoff Fate on Decision Day

The tension is building in Major League Soccer as the MLS Cup Playoffs rapidly draw near at the close of October.

While several teams have nearly secured their postseason positions, the competition for placement in the remaining fixtures promises to be intense, with battles ranging from the final playoff berths in the Western Conference to top seeding and Wild Card elimination contests intensifying.

As we enter the first weekend of October, most teams have two or three games left to play, with the exception of LAFC, who face four matches due to various scheduling adjustments throughout the campaign.

Sports Illustrated examines five of the most crucial remaining fixtures on the 2025 MLS regular season calendar, which concludes with Decision Day on Oct. 18.

Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC (Oct. 4)

The Philadelphia Union were expected to undergo a rebuilding phase after replacing veteran head coach Jim Curtin with Bradley Carnell. Nevertheless, they have an opportunity to secure the club's second Supporters' Shield in their opening October match with a game remaining before the playoffs.

Following Matchday 37 outcomes, which witnessed Philadelphia demolish D.C. United 6–0 while teams like Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati dropped valuable points, it created the opportunity for the Pennsylvania club to claim the championship.

If they can overcome New York City FC at home on Oct. 4, they would lock up the premier position in MLS and the Eastern Conference, earning them home advantage throughout the MLS Cup final on Dec. 6.

Orlando City SC vs. Columbus Crew SC (Oct. 4)

Orlando City SC found the net in injury time to earn a 1–1 tie with FC Cincinnati on Matchday 37, securing a crucial point in their quest to dodge the Eastern Conference Wild Card match. However, Matchday 38's encounter against the Columbus Crew is pivotal.

Should the faltering Crew claim three points against Orlando, they would leap past the Lions in the table, potentially placing Orlando in a Wild Card position entering the final two matches of the campaign.

However, the Crew hold the upper hand, sitting two points behind Orlando in the standings, with a match in reserve, making Oct. 4's clash even more significant for playoff positioning.

Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids (Oct. 4)

Real Salt Lake find themselves outside the MLS Cup Playoff bracket entering their Oct. 4 showdown vs. the Colorado Rapids, but could match the Rapids on points and climb as high as eighth with a triumph in Sandy, Utah.

Meanwhile, a Rapids victory would position them close to securing a postseason berth, and also maintain their chances to avoid the Western Conference Wild Card fixture.

Should Real Salt Lake fall, they would face a difficult challenge to make up sufficient ground in their remaining contests against the Seattle Sounders and St. Louis CITY SC to qualify.

Salt Lake and Colorado are engaged in a tight battle for the remaining playoff positions, with themselves, San Jose Earthquakes, FC Dallas, and the Houston Dynamo all separated by four points.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Orlando City SC (Oct. 11)

The Vancouver Whitecaps and Orlando City were scheduled to face off earlier in the summer. However, Orlando's advancement to the Leagues Cup semifinal necessitated this transcontinental fixture to be rescheduled until the second-to-last week of the season.

The Whitecaps, who may be eliminated from the Supporters' Shield competition by this stage, will view this match as essential to Western Conference seeding before their season finale.

Entering the first weekend of October, the Whitecaps possess 57 points in 31 matches, level with expansion team San Diego FC. Though, San Diego has completed one additional game, as of this writing. Should the Whitecaps fall to Orlando, it could essentially gift the inaugural club the top seed in the Western Conference, while a victory would virtually guarantee it for Vancouver.

Complicating matters for both teams is the fact that the fixture occurs during the international break, meaning Orlando will be without defender Alex Freeman and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, among others. Meanwhile, Vancouver will miss winger Ali Ahmed and midfielder Andrés Cubas.

Charlotte FC vs. Philadelphia Union (Oct. 18)

The Philadelphia Union may rotate their squad on the season's final day depending on the Supporters' Shield race. However, Charlotte FC could be competing for a position in the Eastern Conference's top four, a crucial spot that provides home field advantage in the opening playoff round.

Entering their second-to-last match against D.C. United on Oct. 4, Charlotte trail New York City by three points for fourth place. Should they prevail, they would have an opportunity to surpass Philadelphia and take a significant step before the playoffs.

However, a defeat to already-eliminated D.C. would thrust them into the heart of the struggle to avoid the Eastern Conference Wild Card competition.