Introduction to the MLS Golden Boot
Lionel Messi left no doubt on Decision Day. The Argentine icon scored a hat trick in a 5-2 victory over Nashville on Saturday night to wrap up Major League Soccer’s Golden Boot award with 29 goals this season.
Inter Miami finished third in the Eastern Conference standings and will again face sixth-seeded Nashville starting Friday in the best-of-three opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs.
Decision Day Breakdown
Saturday was the league’s traditional Decision Day, the final day of the regular season when the two conferences each played games simultaneously with playoff spots and seeding on the line. “The truth is that Leo has been exceptional, as he usually is. I think if anyone had doubts about his regular season, he has cleared them all. He will surely be awarded the MVP,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after the game.
Eastern Conference Standings
The Philadelphia Union had already clinched the top spot in the East and claimed the league’s Supporters’ Shield with a 1-0 victory over NYCFC on Oct. 4. Philadelphia also secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs and a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Union will play the winner of Wednesday’s wild-card match between the eighth-place Chicago Fire and ninth place Orlando City in the best-of-three first-round playoff series.
Western Conference Standings
All of the East’s playoff spots had already been claimed, but Saturday’s games determined playoff matchups. In addition to the first-round series between Inter Miami and Nashville, second-seeded Cincinnati plays No. 7 Columbus and No. 4 Charlotte meets No. 5 NYCFC. The higher seed gets home field advantage. Four Western Conference teams were clamoring for a playoff spot on Decision Day: The Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, and the San Jose Earthquakes.
Playoff Matchups
Colorado hosted LAFC needing a win to advance or a draw and help. But Los Angeles has been a juggernaut since Son Heung-Min was signed in August. The teams played to a 2-2 draw in Colorado, knocking the Rapids out of the postseason. Vancouver needed a win or draw against Dallas to secure the West’s top seed, but defender Mathías Laborda was sent off with a red card in the 11th minute, and the Whitecaps played with 10 the rest of the way and Dallas prevailed 2-1.
Expansion Team Success
The top seed went to expansion San Diego, which defeated the Timbers 4-0 in Portland. San Diego set several superlatives for an expansion club, including most wins (19) and most points (63). San Diego will face the winner of Wednesday’s wild-card match between Portland and visiting Real Salt Lake, who played to a 2-2 draw with St. Louis. Seventh-seeded Dallas will play second-seeded Vancouver, No. 6 Austin faces No. 3 LAFC, and No 5 Seattle plays No. 4 Minnesota.
Conclusion
The MLS season has concluded with exciting matchups and record-breaking performances. Lionel Messi’s Golden Boot award is a testament to his exceptional skills, and his team, Inter Miami, is ready to face Nashville in the playoffs. With the playoffs starting soon, fans can expect intense competition and thrilling games.
FAQs
- Q: Who won the MLS Golden Boot award?
- A: Lionel Messi won the award with 29 goals.
- Q: Which team finished at the top of the Eastern Conference standings?
- A: The Philadelphia Union finished at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
- Q: Which team will Inter Miami face in the playoffs?
- A: Inter Miami will face Nashville in the best-of-three opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs.
- Q: What is the Wooden Spoon award?
- A: The Wooden Spoon is an unofficial award given to the league’s worst team, which this season went to D.C. United.
- Q: What is the CONCACAF Champions Cup?
- A: The CONCACAF Champions Cup is a tournament that the top teams from the MLS and other North American leagues compete in, with the winner earning a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.
