Nashville SC finished the MLS regular season at the top of the Eastern Conference with 77 points after matchday 34. Sports Illustrated reported that Nashville won 2-0 at Cincinnati on Decision Day, with Sam Surridge scoring twice after halftime. According to GOAL, that total set a new MLS regular-season points record. Inter Miami CF was second in the East with 60 points, and Vancouver Whitecaps topped the Western Conference with 64 points. The postseason bracket also has a wild card game, where Orlando City SC will host FC Cincinnati.
How did Nashville SC set the MLS points record?
Nashville SC finished matchday 34 with 77 points, built on 23 wins, 8 draws and 3 losses, and a goal difference of +46. GOAL reported that the club set a new MLS regular-season points record on Decision Day.
According to Sports Illustrated, Nashville SC needed a draw at Cincinnati to top the 74 points Inter Miami posted in 2024. Instead, Nashville SC won 2-0 against FC Cincinnati, with Sam Surridge scoring twice after halftime. Sports Illustrated added that Nashville's 23 wins are a record for the post-shootout era.
Who finished behind Nashville in the Eastern Conference standings?
Inter Miami CF closed the regular season with 60 points from 16 wins, 12 draws and 6 losses. New England Revolution finished right behind with 58 points, followed by Chicago Fire FC on 55 points and Charlotte FC on 54 points.
Inter Miami CF did not close well: according to Sports Illustrated, they squandered a 3-goal lead on Decision Day, conceding second-half goals to Charlotte FC. GOAL reported that Lionel Messi won the MLS Golden Boot with 26 goals. Philadelphia Union finished with 50 points from 14 wins, 8 draws and 12 losses.
Who is in the wild card game and who finished last in the East?
Orlando City SC and FC Cincinnati both finished with 46 points, and Sports Illustrated reported that Orlando City SC will host FC Cincinnati in the wild card game. Orlando City climbed from ninth to eighth by defeating New England at home, according to Sports Illustrated.
Below them, Red Bull New York and New York City FC each finished with 42 points, and Toronto FC finished with 39 points. At the bottom, Atlanta United FC and D.C. United both have 33 points, while CF Montréal finished with 26 points from 34 matches played.
Why is Columbus Crew the team in form heading into the playoffs?
Columbus Crew finished with 47 points, and Sports Illustrated reported that a last-second goal by Brais Méndez at Chicago gave the club an automatic playoff berth. GOAL noted that Columbus beat Inter Miami, Orlando and Montreal during a mid-September surge.
That run sets up a rematch: according to Sports Illustrated, Columbus Crew's opening-round playoff opponent is Inter Miami CF, which finished with 60 points. Over the season, Columbus Crew posted 14 wins, 5 draws and 15 losses with a goal difference of +7.
Who leads the Western Conference after matchday 34?
Vancouver Whitecaps finished atop the Western Conference with 64 points from 19 wins, 7 draws and 8 losses, plus a goal difference of +40. FC Dallas followed with 58 points, ahead of St. Louis CITY SC on 54 points.
San Jose Earthquakes reached 52 points and Houston Dynamo FC 51 points. Further down, Seattle Sounders FC finished with 46 points, Real Salt Lake with 45 points, and Minnesota United FC and LA Galaxy with 44 points each. Sporting Kansas City closed the Western Conference standings with 26 points.
The numbers at Scorely
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville SC | 34 | +46 | 77 |
| 2 | Inter Miami CF | 34 | +21 | 60 |
| 3 | New England Revolution | 34 | +8 | 58 |
| 4 | Chicago Fire FC | 34 | +10 | 55 |
| 5 | Charlotte FC | 34 | +15 | 54 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | +14 | 50 |
| 7 | Columbus Crew | 34 | +7 | 47 |
| 8 | Orlando City SC | 34 | -15 | 46 |
Data source: ESPN; calculation and table by Scorely.
Nashville SC
Inter Miami CF
New England Revolution
