For 2026, the top seven in each conference enter Round One and seeds eight and nine meet in a Wild Card match. All nine places count as playoff qualification here.
9 places
Eastern Conference
1Nashville SC60 pts7 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
2Inter Miami46 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places9 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
3New England Revolution46 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places9 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
4Chicago Fire45 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places10 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
5Charlotte FC43 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places12 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
6Philadelphia Union39 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places16 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
7Orlando City34 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places21 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
8New York City FC33 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places22 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
9FC Cincinnati33 pts8 remainingOn the line22 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
10New York Red Bulls33 pts7 remainingChasing the lineBehind on the official standings order; games played or tiebreakers apply.
11DC United30 pts8 remainingChasing the line3 points behind the current cutline.
12Columbus Crew29 pts7 remainingChasing the line4 points behind the current cutline.
9 places
Western Conference
1Vancouver Whitecaps50 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places4 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
2St. Louis City SC47 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places7 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
3FC Dallas47 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places7 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
4San Jose Earthquakes45 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places9 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
5Houston Dynamo44 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places10 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
6Los Angeles FC41 pts6 remainingIn qualifying places13 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
7Seattle Sounders38 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places16 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
8Colorado Rapids36 pts7 remainingIn qualifying places18 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
9LA Galaxy36 pts6 remainingOn the line18 points to guarantee above the mathematical line.
10San Diego FC32 pts7 remainingChasing the line4 points behind the current cutline.
11Portland Timbers32 pts7 remainingChasing the line4 points behind the current cutline.
12Real Salt Lake32 pts7 remainingChasing the line4 points behind the current cutline.
How the line and tiebreakers work
MLS starts with total wins, then goal difference, goals scored and conference head-to-head measures, followed by disciplinary and home/away goal criteria. Points per game applies if clubs cannot complete equal schedules.
Cutline and guarantee math uses the current SportsDB table plus scheduled games remaining. Equal records still require the official tiebreaker; provider schedule gaps can change the estimate.
Competition profile
American Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is the top-flight league in the United States and Canada. In 2026, its 30 clubs each play 34 regular-season matches; the top seven in each conference enter Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs and seeds eight and nine meet in a Wild Card match.
Optional cookies and related technologies help us understand site traffic and see whether Reddit ads lead to Pick'em registrations. Declining does not affect site access.
Nashville SC
Inter Miami
New England Revolution
Chicago Fire
Charlotte FC
Philadelphia Union
Orlando City
New York City FC
FC Cincinnati
New York Red Bulls
DC United
Columbus Crew
Toronto FC
Atlanta United
CF Montréal
