MLS playoff picture: LAFC, Philadelphia Union among teams that can clinch

MLS Decision Day 2026 (Saturday, Nov. 7, mark your calendars!) will be here before you know it.There are just three or four matches to be played by each Major League Soccer club and the playoff picture is clearing up. Nine of the available 18 postseason spots have been secured; four more playoff berths can be claimed this weekend.Here's a look at the playoff picture and this weekend's clinching scenarios, starting with the teams that already have secured postseason berths:Eastern ConferenceChicago Fire FCInter MiamiNashville SCNew England RevolutionWestern ConferenceFC DallasHouston DynamoSan Jose EarthquakesSt. Louis City SCVancouver WhitecapsMLS playoff clinching scenarios for Oct. 24-25Charlotte FCWin or drawDrawRed Bull New York loss or drawPhiladelphia UnionWinDraw, and Red Bull New York drawColumbus Crew drawRed Bull New York lossLos Angeles FCWin or drawMinnesota United loss or draw, Real Salt Lake loss, San Diego FC loss or draw, and Portland Timbers loss or drawSeattle SoundersWin, Minnesota United loss or draw, Real Salt Lake loss or draw, LA Galaxy loss or draw, and Portland Timbers loss or drawThere are also scenarios for Nashville SC to clinch the No. 1 playoff seed and the 2026 Supporters’ Shield:Win or drawVancouver Whitecaps loss or drawMLS Matchday 32: What are this weekend's games?(All games available on Apple TV)Saturday, Oct. 24CF Montréal vs. Nashville SC, 1:30 p.m. ETColumbus Crew vs. Toronto FC, 3:30 p.m. ETRed Bull New York vs. Inter Miami, 5:30 p.m. ETAtlanta United vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ETD.C. United vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ETOrlando City SC vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ETPhiladelphia Union vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ETFC Dallas vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 8:30 p.m. ETHouston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United, 8:30 p.m. ETSporting Kansas City vs. Austin FC, 8:30 p.m. ETColorado Rapids vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 9:30 p.m. ETReal Salt Lake vs. St. Louis City SC, 9:30 p.m. ETPortland Timbers vs. Charlotte FC, 10:30 p.m. ETSan Diego FC vs. Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m. ETSunday, Oct. 25Los Angeles FC vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m. ETWatch MLS games on Apple TVWhat 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.MLS CUP WINNERS, SCORES: Results from Major League Soccer championship gamesWhat is the MLS playoff schedule?Nov. 18: Wild-card matches (single-elimination matches)Nov. 20-Dec. 2: Round 1 (best-of-three series)Dec. 5-6: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)Dec. 11-12: Conference finals (single-elimination matches)Dec. 18: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)MLS CUP: Ranking every Major League Soccer championship gameMLS playoff picture: If the season ended today …Heading into MLS Matchday 32, these would be the MLS playoff matchups through the first round:EASTERN CONFERENCEWild-card match:FC Cincinnati (No. 8 seed) vs. Red Bull New York (9)Round 1 (best-of-three series):Nashville SC (1) vs. Cincinnati-RBNY winnerInter Miami (2) vs. Orlando City SC (7)New England Revolution (3) vs. Philadelphia Union (6)Chicago Fire FC (4) vs. Charlotte FC (5)WESTERN CONFERENCEWild-card match:LA Galaxy (No. 8 seed) vs. Colorado Rapids (9)Round 1 (best-of-three series):Vancouver Whitecaps (1) vs. Galaxy-Colorado winnerSt. Louis City SC (2) vs. Seattle Sounders (7)FC Dallas (3) vs. Los Angeles FC (6)San Jose Earthquakes (4) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (5)MLS: Latest standings for Eastern, Western ConferencesMLS betting odds: Who is favorite to win championship?According to BetMGM, Inter Miami (+400) are the favorites to win MLS Cup..oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS playoff picture: LAFC, Philadelphia Union among teams that can clinchOur editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.