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MLS playoff picture: Clinching scenarios, standings, schedule entering weekend

The MLS playoff chase is coming down to the wire, with just two matches remaining for all of the league's teams.

This weekend will see a crucial set of matches, the league's last games before Decision Day on Saturday, Nov. 7.

In the Eastern Conference, six teams have already qualified for the playoffs while another six are in a race for the final three playoff berths. That leaves three teams that are already eliminated.

It's the same story in the Western Conference: Six teams are in, six are still alive and three are out of contention.

Let's examine the MLS playoff picture heading into the penultimate weekend of play:

Qualified for MLS playoffs

Eastern Conference

  • Nashville SC (clinched Supporters' Shield)

  • New England Revolution

  • Inter Miami CF

  • Chicago Fire FC

  • Charlotte FC

  • Philadelphia Union

Western Conference

  • Vancouver Whitecaps

  • FC Dallas

  • St. Louis CITY SC

  • Houston Dynamo FC

  • San Jose Earthquakes

  • LAFC

Still in MLS playoff contention

Eastern Conference

  • Orlando City SC

  • FC Cincinnati

  • Columbus Crew

  • New York Red Bulls

  • Toronto FC

  • New York City FC

Western Conference

  • Colorado Rapids

  • Seattle Sounders

  • Real Salt Lake

  • LA Galaxy

  • Portland Timbers

  • Minnesota United

Eliminated from playoff contention

Eastern Conference

  • D.C. United

  • Atlanta United

  • CF Montréal

Western Conference

  • San Diego FC

  • Austin FC

  • Sporting Kansas City

MLS standings

View full MLS standings HERE.

MLS schedule

The full list of games for Matchday 34 is below. All times Eastern.

(All games available on Apple TV)

Saturday, Oct. 31

Sunday, Nov. 1

MLS playoff clinching scenarios

Below is the full list of clinching and elimination scenarios, courtesy of MLS:

Eastern Conference

  1. Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Red Bull New York LOSS at Nashville SC AND New York City FC LOSS/DRAW vs. CF Montréal

  1. Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Red Bull New York LOSS at Nashville SC AND New York City FC LOSS/DRAW vs. CF Montréal

  1. Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United AND Toronto FC LOSS/DRAW at Atlanta United AND Red Bull New York LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC

  1. New York Red Bull s LOSS at Nashville SC AND Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United OR

  2. New York Red Bull s DRAW at Nashville SC AND Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United AND Orlando City SC WIN/DRAW at Charlotte FC AND FC Cincinnati WIN/DRAW vs. Philadelphia Union

  1. Toronto FC LOSS at Atlanta United AND New York Red Bulls WIN at Nashville SC

  1. Columbus Crew WIN vs. D.C. United AND Orlando City SC WIN/DRAW at Charlotte FC AND FC Cincinnati WIN vs. Philadelphia Union

Western Conference

  1. FC Dallas LOSS/DRAW at Sporting Kansas City

  1. Colorado Rapids DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC AND Real Salt Lake DRAW at San Jose Earthquakes AND LA Galaxy DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC

  1. Seattle Sounders FC DRAW at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS/DRAW at San Jose Earthquakes AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW at LAFC AND LA Galaxy LOSS/DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS vs. Houston Dynamo FC

  1. Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes AND LA Galaxy LOSS/DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Portland Timbers LOSS/DRAW vs. Houston Dynamo FC

  1. LA Galaxy DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Real Salt Lake WIN at San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN vs. Chicago Fire FC

  1. Portland Timbers DRAW vs. Houston Dynamo FC AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND LA Galaxy WIN vs. Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN vs. Chicago Fire FC

  1. LA Galaxy DRAW vs. Austin FC AND Real Salt Lake DRAW at San Jose Earthquakes AND Seattle Sounders FC WIN at Vancouver Whitecaps FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN/DRAW vs. Chicago Fire FC

What is the format and schedule for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs?

A total of 18 teams qualify for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs — the top nine finishers from each conference.

The eighth- and ninth-place finishers in each conference will play in wild-card matches. The top seven seeds qualify for the Round 1 best-of-three series.

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