Major League Soccer (MLS) 2025 will experience its final chapter of excitement this weekend with Decision Day, where the 18 playoff spots will be decided. The Eastern Conference already has its nine qualifiers, but in the West there are still two vacant spots that will be hotly contested.
According to the official format, the basic principles are as follows: in each conference, the first seven places qualify directly to Round One (best-of-three series); the 8th and 9th places play a wildcard match to also qualify for that phase.
Teams still contending in the West
In the Western Conference, Dallas FC and Real Salt Lake have secured their spots.
But there are Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes nipping at their heels, with a real possibility of displacing some.
In the final matchday:
Dallas FC will play away against Vancouver Whitecaps
Real Salt Lake will face St. Louis SC
Colorado Rapids will host LAFC, a team with a lot of offensive fire
San Jose will try to surprise its rival at home.
The Eastern Conference already has its nine qualifiers
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Beyond clinching MLS playoff berths, second place in the West is also in contention, with LAFC pushing hard and able to secure that spot if they win their match combined with San Diego losses.
Messi and the scoring title
On an individual level, Lionel Messi leads the race for the MLS golden boot.
But Denis Bouanga is close: he needs to score three goals and Messi to draw a blank in his match to snatch the top goal-scoring honor for the season.
What the calendar says
Decision Day will be Saturday, October 18, when all teams will play their final regular season game.
Wildcard matches, Round One, conference semifinals, finals and culminating with MLS Cup 2025 on December 6 will follow.
For U.S. Hispanic fans, this weekend will be a busy one:
Every goal, every result will alter the fate of clubs with Latino players.
The networks that broadcast MLS Season Pass in Spanish and English ensure that fans can follow every minute from home.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.