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The intensity of the playoff race was on full display during Matchday 34 of the 2026 MLS season, the final round of league fixtures ahead of this weekend's Decision Day showdowns.
Several clubs were knocked out of postseason contention, while others secured their berths. A handful of playoff spots remain available — particularly in the Western Conference — meaning the drama and goalscoring brilliance will only continue to escalate.
That said, the past weekend delivered plenty of excitement. Lionel Messi worked his trademark magic, netting a late winner to edge past the New England Revolution and restore Inter Miami to the No. 2 position in the Eastern Conference.
Elsewhere, Sam Surridge completed Nashville SC's stunning comeback against Red Bull New York, slotting home a stoppage-time goal that sealed the visitors' playoff elimination.
Here are the top five goals from the weekend.
5. David Da Costa's Statement Opener
Defense to offense 🌬️
Vincent Janssen finds David Da Costa to give @TimbersFC a 1-0 lead on Houston (FS1/Apple TV). pic.twitter.com/sjCowmLHAV
Portland Timbers midfielder David Da Costa dispossessed the Houston Dynamo deep in their own half, sparking a swift counter-attack into the penalty area before collecting the ball on the far side of the box. A couple of composed touches set up a clinical finish into the top of the net in the 25th minute.
The goal electrified Providence Park, the first of three strikes the hosts would go on to score in a 3–1 victory over the Western Conference heavyweights, keeping their postseason hopes alive. A defeat or draw on Sunday evening would have almost certainly ended Portland's campaign; instead, the Timbers now occupy eighth place in the Western Conference, just a single point behind the seventh seed.
4. Ousseni Bouda's Impossible Angle
Ousseni Bouda didn't care about the tight angle. 😤@SJEarthquakes lead early after a well-taken free kick!
📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/jHCDaDdJkg pic.twitter.com/FqIIMtQ8Ci
A razor-thin angle was no obstacle for Ousseni Bouda. The San Jose Earthquakes forward bent his free kick into the side netting, breaking the deadlock against Real Salt Lake inside the opening two minutes of the contest.
San Jose claimed a 2–1 victory. While the third-ranked Earthquakes had already booked their playoff place, they played the role of spoiler against Real Salt Lake, who required a win on Saturday to do the same. The 11th-placed Claret and Cobalt will have just one final opportunity next weekend to clinch a postseason berth.
3. Sam Surridge's Stoppage Time Thriller
Super Sam Surridge in stoppage time! 🦸♂️@NashvilleSC erases a 2-0 deficit to take the lead late against the Red Bulls. pic.twitter.com/Y1xBQQeUP9
By the 40th minute of Sunday's clash at Geodis Park, it appeared Red Bull New York were on course for a victory over Supporters' Shield holders Nashville SC. The scoreline read 2–0, an encouraging position for a youthful side that desperately needed three points to stay alive in the playoff race.
Nashville, however, responded with three consecutive goals, the last of which came from Sam Surridge in stoppage time. He launched himself into the air to head home a corner kick in the 91st minute, sending the Red Bulls crashing out of postseason contention. The result extended Nashville's unbeaten run to nine matches and lifted the club to 74 points on the season, equaling the MLS single-season points record established by Inter Miami in 2024.
2. Lionel Messi's Late Magic
OMG! MESSI! 😱
Leo dribbles past 3 defenders and scores to give @InterMiamiCF the lead! pic.twitter.com/dqIq5O5xxJ
If Messi demonstrated anything at the 2026 World Cup this summer, it's not merely that the 39-year-old Argentine refuses to slow down, but also that a dramatic late turnaround is never beyond him, regardless of the scoreline or the clock.
At the hour mark, the New England Revolution held a 1–0 advantage at Gillette Stadium — but Messi was only warming up. The Inter Miami talisman set up Germán Berterame's equalizer in the 69th minute, then left the crowd — and the Revolution's backline — stunned with a goal of his own roughly 15 minutes later.
Messi did what he does best, weaving through three defenders — including two simultaneously — before firing past New England goalkeeper Matt Turner. The comeback victory allowed the Herons to reclaim second place in the Eastern Conference and lock up a coveted berth in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. Messi now has 26 goals to his name this season, extending his lead in the MLS Golden Boot standings, along with 16 assists.
1. Sergio Vásquez's Bicycle Kick
🚨 BICYCLE KICK ALERT 🚨
Sergio Vásquez brought out the bike for @LAFC. 🚲🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/h7AMr3spMf
The acrobatic brilliance of Sergio Vásquez may well have been the weekend's most breathtaking moment. The Los Angeles FC midfielder produced a stunning bicycle kick in the 90th minute of Sunday's fixture against Minnesota United.
While it was insufficient to overturn a 3–0 deficit at BMO Field, it was nonetheless a jaw-dropping piece of skill in an otherwise inconsequential match for the visiting side. LAFC have already secured their playoff spot, currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference and guaranteed to finish with a top-seven seed.