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
1Inter Miami80 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
2FC Cincinnati71 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
3Philadelphia Union70 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
4New York City FC66 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
5Charlotte FC60 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
6Nashville SC57 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
7Chicago Fire57 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
8Columbus Crew57 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
9Orlando City53 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
10New York Red Bulls43 pts0 remainingEliminated by available mathMaximum possible: 43 pts.
11New England Revolution36 pts0 remainingEliminated by available mathMaximum possible: 36 pts.
12Toronto FC32 pts0 remainingEliminated by available mathMaximum possible: 32 pts.
9 places
Western Conference
1San Diego FC73 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
2Vancouver Whitecaps71 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
3Los Angeles FC67 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
4Minnesota United60 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
5Seattle Sounders60 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
6Portland Timbers48 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
7Austin FC47 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
8FC Dallas45 pts0 remainingClinched by available mathCannot fall below this cutline on the supplied schedule.
9San Jose Earthquakes41 pts0 remainingOn the line1 point to guarantee above the mathematical line.
10Colorado Rapids41 pts0 remainingChasing the lineBehind on the official standings order; games played or tiebreakers apply.
11Real Salt Lake41 pts0 remainingChasing the lineBehind on the official standings order; games played or tiebreakers apply.
12Houston Dynamo37 pts0 remainingEliminated by available mathMaximum possible: 37 pts.
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.
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Inter Miami
FC Cincinnati
Philadelphia Union
New York City FC
Charlotte FC
Nashville SC
Chicago Fire
Columbus Crew
Orlando City
New York Red Bulls
New England Revolution
Toronto FC
Atlanta United
CF Montréal
DC United
