MLS Decision Day 2025 – Eastern Edition | OneFootball

We have reached the end of yet another MLS season; only one more game remains. While the post-season map for the East is crystal clear in terms of who will be there, there are still some terra incognito areas around positioning that will not become clear until the final whistle is blown.

MLS Eastern Conference Standings. Source: Sofascore

This means that some of Saturday’s fixtures will have more at stake than others. We’ll break it all down for you, so you can be informed about which game to watch. All eight games hosted by Eastern Conference teams kickoff at 6:00pm ET (this prevents any appearance of match fixing).

Fixtures are listed in perceived order of importance.

Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami CFGEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee

Oh I like this fixture. I like it a LOT. You’ve got two of the final three Golden Boot candidates, Miami’s Lionel Messi (26g) and Sam Surridge (23g), likely to start. Messi may be a virtual shoe-in (get it?) for the award, but Inter Miami show no signs of slowing their roll. They’ve scored 22 goals in the past 7 games.

In that exact same period of time, Nashville have played 3 games and scored 6. Momentum favors Miami, but I like Nashville in this one. They also need at least a point to avoid a slim chance of getting knocked down into 8th place and suffering the indignity of a play-in.

Atlanta United FC vs. D.C. UnitedMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

You’d think this match was a nothing burger, as both teams sit in the bottom two spots of the conference, but that’s a cynic’s view. Nothing can change the horrors suffered from the previous 33 games, but in this match, a win can still count for something.

For the Five Stripes, three points could land them in 12th place (they’d also need Toronto to lose). For D.C. United, the victory means not finishing last. Both of these factors will make this a surprising feisty and meaningful match.

Charlotte FC vs. Philadelphia UnionBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Philadelphia Union has not only won the Supporter’s Shield, they’ve also locked in top spot in the East. Congrats, Philly, you just got a second trophy in a calendar year!

Of course, I can’t see Union getting over-excited about this match. The outcome can’t change their position, it’s on the road, and much of their team is returning from international commitments.

It’s a similar situation for Queen City. Currently in 5th place, the best they can do is finish 4th and the worst is 7th. That 7th place spot will have to play either Inter Miami or FC Cincinnati, so maintaining the status quo is important for them. And they’re at home. Nobody likes to lose the season closer at home. Edge to Charlotte.

Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio

The Red Bulls are out of the playoffs. Columbus Crew sit in 9th: the final play-in spot. They can’t do any worse, but they CAN improve their lot with a win. Expect them to lunge for that carrot to avoid a play-in.

Toronto FC vs. Orlando City SC BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

There is a scenario whereby Orlando City travels to Canada in 7th place and via some bizarre time-space happenstance fly back to Florida in 4th. It’s very unlikely, and would require a chain-of-events more complex than a Rube Goldberg apparatus. But it’s possible. Standing in Orlando’s way is the club with the most draws in MLS (14), who would probably settle for one more on their way out.

FC Cincinnati vs. CF Montréal TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

It’s a foregone conclusion that FC Cincinnati will finish either 2nd or 3rd. It’s similarly foregone that 13th place CF Montréal have been eliminated from the playoffs and could only finish one spot lower in the conference. Really not a lot of skin in this one for either side.

New York City FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC Citi Field, New York, New York

Now this one is intriguing. It happens to be the only inter-conference match of the day. This means that Seattle’s result will be known before any kick-off in the Western Conference. Will this make a difference?

Turns out… not in the slightest. Seattle occupies the 5th spot, and win or lose will stay in 5th. NYCFC is in 4th, which is the highest they can place. They can drop to 6th with a loss. Hm, maybe not so intriguing after all.