MLS Cup Playoffs Heat Up: Discover Which Teams Have Secured Their Spot and Who's Fighting for Glory on Matchday 37!
With rivalry showdowns throughout the league and several MLS Cup playoff positions still to be determined, Week 37 of the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign is set to deliver thrilling action from coast to coast.
The New York Red Bulls' quest for Eastern Conference postseason qualification headlines the Hudson River rivalry clash, while a Cascadia Cup-determining battle between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Seattle Sounders FC holds major significance for Western Conference positioning.
These two marquee matchups anchor a packed 14-game Saturday schedule, with FC Cincinnati facing Orlando City SC as the lone Sunday fixture.
The leading nine clubs in each conference earn playoff berths, with the No. 8 seed meeting the No. 9 in a single-elimination Wild Card showdown. The victor advances to challenge the No. 1 seed in the opening round best-of-three series, while remaining bracket positions are determined by standings.
Below are the squads that have already secured their spots, alongside the teams that could punch their postseason tickets this weekend.
Which Eastern Conference Teams Have Already Secured MLS Cup Playoff Berths?
1. Philadelphia Union (60 points, 3 matches left): The Union recovered from a devastating 7–0 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC with a narrow 1–0 victory over the New England Revolution, and are working to fend off approaching contenders for the Supporters' Shield.
2. FC Cincinnati (58 points, 3 matches left): FC Cincinnati are enjoying consecutive victories following dramatic late winners against Nashville SC and the LA Galaxy. They're pursuing the Supporters' Shield when they meet Orlando City SC this weekend.
3. Inter Miami (55 points, 5 matches left): Inter Miami have maximized their extra fixtures, climbing to third position with five games remaining after three consecutive triumphs over Seattle Sounders FC, D.C. United and NYCFC. The victory against NYCFC secured their playoff berth and positioned them as Supporters' Shield frontrunners.
4. Charlotte FC (53 points, 3 matches left): Charlotte FC watched their impressive nine-game winning run end with a 2–0 defeat to NYCFC last weekend, but will aim to rediscover their rhythm against the already eliminated CF Montréal.
5. New York City FC (53 points, 3 matches left): NYCFC suffered a 2–0 setback to Inter Miami in their midweek encounter, but will be eager to break into the top four when they meet the New York Red Bulls in the 32nd Hudson River derby on Saturday.
Which Eastern Conference Teams Can Secure Playoff Spots This Weekend?
Orlando City SC: 6th in Eastern Conference
Nashville SC: 7th in Eastern Conference
Columbus Crew: 8th in Eastern Conference
Which Western Conference Teams Have Already Secured MLS Cup Playoff Berths?
1. San Diego FC (57 points, 3 matches left): San Diego FC matched LAFC's 2018 benchmark for most points by a first-year team with a frustrating stalemate against Atlanta United last week, and will seek to claim the record outright when they face California rivals, the San Jose Earthquakes.
2. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (56 points, 4 matches left): Despite being without Thomas Müller for their previous two contests, Whitecaps FC earned a 2–0 triumph over Sporting Kansas City and a 1–1 stalemate vs Portland Timbers, maintaining their position in the Supporters' Shield race vs. Seattle this weekend.
3. Minnesota United (54 points, 3 matches left): Minnesota United will seek to expand their advantage over LAFC for third place in the Western Conference as they attempt to rebound from a 3–0 setback to Chicago Fire FC against the Colorado Rapids.
4. LAFC (50 points, 5 matches left): Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga have combined on LAFC's previous 14 goals and will aim to maintain their chemistry against St. Louis CITY SC after recently securing their playoff position.
Which Western Conference Teams Can Secure Playoff Spots This Weekend?
