Comprehensive 2025 Decision Day Guide: Key Insights and FAQs Answered

The Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs are set to begin following Decision Day, which features 15 important matches. These matches will determine playoff placements and seeding, with all games available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. Decision Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 18.

Decision Day Match Schedule

Matches occur in two time windows:

• Eastern Conference: 6 PM ET
• Western Conference: 9 PM ET

Notably, the match between New York City FC and Seattle Sounders FC begins at 6 PM ET. This is the only inter-conference matchup of the day.

Western Conference Highlights

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC currently lead the Western Conference with 63 points. A win or draw on Decision Day will secure them the No. 1 seed. However, San Diego FC, with 60 points, can potentially surpass them with a victory.

Wild Card Contenders

FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake are currently in the Wild Card spots in the Western Conference. The Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes could move up if they achieve favorable results.

In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Fire FC and Columbus Crew hold the Wild Card positions. They could advance directly to the Round One Best-of-3 Series with a win, provided other results favor them.

Home-Field Advantage

In the Eastern Conference, Charlotte FC, New York City FC, and Nashville SC are competing for the fourth seed. Charlotte currently holds the No. 4 seed but is only ahead of NYCFC on the tiebreaker of most wins, as both teams are tied on 56 points.

Star Performers

LAFC and Inter Miami are in focus due to their star-studded rosters. LAFC is positioned to finish between No. 2 and No. 4 in the West, while Inter Miami competes for the No. 2 seed in the East with FC Cincinnati. Lionel Messi leads the league in goals with 26, aiming for the Golden Boot and potential back-to-back MLS MVP honors.

Playoff Structure

A total of 18 teams qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs: the top nine from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The playoffs follow this structure:

• Seeds 1-7: Automatically qualify for the Round One Best-of-3 series
• Seeds 8-9: Qualify for the Wild Card matches

The playoff schedule is as follows:

Exciting matchups and intense competition will define the final day of the regular season as teams vie for their place in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.