Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) and defender Ian Fray (17) celebrate the goal of midfielder Telasco Segovia (8) against Nashville SC during the second half at Geodis Park.

MLS players gathered around each other, watching iPhones and stadium scoreboards, waiting for final whistles to blow on Decision Day, Oct. 18.

Some were celebrating with pride. Others left the pitch disappointed as their seasons came to an end.

The Philadelphia Union won the 2025 Supporters’ Shield. They’ve clinched home-pitch advantage in the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs.

FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami each finished one point behind them in the standings. All three clubs finished with higher point totals than any of their counterparts in the West.

The East well could host the West in the MLS Cup final on Dec. 6.

Expansion side San Diego FC won the Western Conference ahead of Vancouver. They’ve secured the most points by any expansion club in MLS history.

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Messi wins MLS Golden Boot, could win MVP

  • Lionel Messi scored a hat trick with an assist to help Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 5-2. He finishes with 29 goals and 19 assists to finish with 48 goal contributions in 2025.
  • Anders Dreyer had two goals and an assist in a 3-0 win at Portland, finishing with 19 goals and 19 assists.
  • Denis Bouanga was held scoreless, finishing the season with 24 goals and nine assists.
  • Nashville’s Sam Surridge scored against Inter Miami, finishing with 24 goals and five assists.
  • Cincinnati’s Evander had a goal and assist against Montreal, finishing with 18 goals and 15 assists.

Eastern Conference playoff matchups

Wild-card matchup:

  • Chicago Fire (No. 8) vs. Orlando City (9): Oct. 22, 8:30 p.m. ET

Round 1 (best-of-three series):

  • Philadelphia Union (1) vs. Chicago Fire-Orlando City (8/9 winner)
    • Game 1: Oct. 26, 5:30 p.m. ET at Philadelphia
    • Game 2: Nov. 1, 5:30 p.m. ET at Chicago/Orlando City
    • Game 3: Nov. 8, Time TBD at Philadelphia (if necessary)
  • FC Cincinnati (2) vs. Columbus Crew (7)
    • Game 1: Oct. 27, 6:45 p.m. ET at Cincinnati
    • Game 2: Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m. ET at Columbus
    • Game 3: Nov. 8, Time TBD at Cincinnati (if necessary)
  • Inter Miami CF (3) vs. Nashville SC (6)
    • Game 1: Oct. 24, 8 p.m. ET at Inter Miami
    • Game 2: Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. ET at Nashville
    • Game 3: Nov. 8, Time TBD at Inter Miami (if necessary)
  • Charlotte FC (4) vs. New York City FC (5)
    • Game 1: Oct. 29, 10:30 p.m. ET at Charlotte
    • Game 2: Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
    • Game 3: Nov. 7, Time TBD at Charlotte (if necessary)

Western Conference playoff matchups

Wild-card matchup:

  • Portland Timbers (No. 8) vs. Real Salt Lake (No. 9), Oct. 22, 10:30 p.m. ET

Round 1 (best-of-three series):

  • San Diego FC (1) vs. Portland Timbers/Real Salt Lake (8/9 winner)
    • Game 1: Oct. 26, 9:30 p.m. ET at San Diego
    • Game 2: Nov. 1, 9:30 p.m. ET at Portland/RSL
    • Game 3: Nov. 9, Time TBD at San Diego (if necessary)
  • Vancouver Whitecaps (2) vs. FC Dallas (7)
    • Game 1: Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. ET at Vancouver
    • Game 2: Nov. 1, 9:30 p.m. ET at FC Dallas
    • Game 3: Nov. 7, Time TBD at Vancouver (if necessary)
  • LAFC (3) vs. Austin FC (6)
    • Game 1: Oct. 29, 10:30 p.m. ET at LAFC
    • Game 2: Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m. ET at Austin
    • Game 3: Nov. 8, Time TBD at LAFC (if necessary)
  • Minnesota United (4) vs. Seattle Sounders (5)
    • Game 1: Oct. 27, 9 p.m. ET at Minnesota
    • Game 2: Nov. 3, 10:30 p.m. ET at Seattle
    • Game 3: Nov. 8, Time TBD at Minnesota (if necessary)

MLS playoff calendar

Here is the playoff schedule after the first round:

  • Nov. 22-23: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
  • Nov. 29-30: Conference finals (single-elimination matches)
  • Dec. 6: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who's in MLS Cup playoffs? MLS playoff bracket, schedule

Reporting by Safid Deen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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