It's MLS Cup Playoffs time with Decision Day in the books and the bracket set.
We'll have plenty of coverage of Seattle's upcoming Round One series against Minnesota United, but here are a few other matchups that I'll be tracking closely as the postseason gets underway.
Portland Timbers (8) vs. Real Salt Lake (9)
This Wild Card game might very well determine Phil Neville's future as head coach of the Portland Timbers, coming off a Decision Day debacle in which they got waxed 4-0 at home by San Diego FC. If they're able to right the ship and make a deep playoff run, that seems like the only way Neville is on the sidelines for them in 2026. You'd think the Timbers have the edge playing at home, but that's also what most felt in their Wild Card game at Providence Park last year against the Vancouver Whitecaps, which they lost 5-0.
Chicago Fire FC (8) vs. Orlando City SC (9)
The Eastern Conference Wild Card matchup could mark the end of the road for an Orlando City side that's been in a tailspin to close the season. Gregg Berhalter has somewhat quietly turned the Fire into a competent operation with a genuinely good offense, led by one of the league's more underrated attackers in Philip Zinckernagel. It's surprising to say, but Chicago are the pretty clear favorite here against an Orlando side that many expected to challenge for MLS Cup.
Inter Miami (3) vs. Nashville SC (6)
These sides just played each other on Decision Day, and it did not go well for Nashville, as Lionel Messi had 3g/1a in a 5-2 win for Inter Miami at GEODIS Park. Messi's 10 goals against Nashville are the most he's scored against any club, so this couldn't be less of an ideal Round One matchup for BJ Callaghan's side. Even so, this should be a fun game to watch, with Messi and the Barca Boys taking on one of the league's best attacking duos in their own right in Nashville's Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge.
FC Cincinnati (2) vs. Columbus Crew (7)
A playoff derby is always a good storyline, and we've got one here with this Hell is Real matchup between Cincy and Columbus. Like Orlando, Columbus have been in an unexpected freefall for weeks now, looking nothing like the title contender we've come to expect from a Wilfried Nancy-coached side. FC Cincinnati were Shield contenders all year, but they led the league in one-goal victories, which can be a dangerous way to live come playoff time.
Charlotte FC (4) vs. New York City FC (5)
I've tabbed Charlotte as my dark-horse MLS Cup candidate from the East, so we'll get a first look at whether they can make good on that prediction when they take on NYCFC in a 4-5 matchup. They'll have to do so in Game 1 without Wilfried Zaha, who got one of the more ill-advised red cards you'll ever see on Decision Day. NYCFC had a solid year, but the question they have to answer is whether they have enough firepower to hang with the East's best. Watching them against Seattle, it felt like they might be one attacking piece short of being a true contender.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Monday, Oct. 27 at Minnesota United FC | 6 pm PT | Apple TV | MLS Cup Playoffs
- Big bite in the Big Apple: Late goal lifts Sounders over NYCFC
- A team worth hoping for
- Pedro de la Vega suffers 'serious' knee injury
- New York City FC vs. Sounders: Highlights, stats and quotes
- Lobbing Scorchers Kickoff: Can Sounders make an MLS Cup run?
- Nos Audietis: Previewing the Western Conference playoff bracket
- Sounders will face Minnesota United in MLS Playoffs
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011.
Reign
Next match: Sunday, Nov. 2 at Orlando Pride | 2 pm PT | NWSL+
Defiance
Next match: Season over
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs tiers: How do teams stack up? (MLSsoccer)
Cristian Roldan has grown into the player the USMNT needs (Stars and Stripes FC)
Cristian Roldan is back with the USMNT, and it feels like he never left (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Jess Fishlock wants to remain at Seattle Reign one more year: ‘I’m not retiring fully’ (The Athletic)
NWSL Power Rankings: Marta has Orlando looking ominous again (ESPN)
NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler becomes minority investor in NWSL's San Diego Wave (CBS Sports)
Boston Legacy FC Season Tickets Among Most Expensive in NWSL (Blazing Musket)
MLS, Apple TV drop Season Pass requirement for playoff matches (Awful Announcing)
MLS contract decision tracker: Running updates on end-of-season roster moves (The Athletic)
Travis Clark's Midseason MLS Draft Prospects (Top Drawer Soccer)
Masar accuses Eidevall of sending player to spy on huddle (USA Today)
Civic leaders pitch ambitious Seattle-Tacoma electric ferry plan as World Cup deadline looms (GeekWire)
2031 Women's World Cup: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica confirm bid (USA Today)
Armchair Analyst: Best XI, Awards Ballot & final Power Rankings vote of the year (Tactics Free Zone)
Morocco to host FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025 (FIFA)
BMO stadium in LA added AI to everything and what they got was a worse experience for everyone (AWLN)
