MLS returns this week: Current standings, Golden Boot leaders, playoff picture, and more

Although the focus will be on the final matches of the 2026 World Cup, Major League Soccer will make its return from its summer break on Thursday, July 16. Most clubs played around 15 of their 34 scheduled matches before the current six-week break.

The playoffs are set to take place in November and December, closing off with the MLS Cup 2026, the league’s championship, on December 18. The 2026 season will be the final, full season played under the current spring–autumn format. MLS plans to transition to a summer–spring format starting with the 2027–28 season to coincide with the major European leagues. In order to do so, a shortened season featuring 14 matches is scheduled for early 2027.

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, won its first-ever MLS Cup last season. They are the current MLS champions after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps, 3-1, on December 6, 2025.

Conference Standings & Playoff Picture

The MLS Cup playoffs feature 18 teams, made up of the top nine teams from each conference. The postseason begins with the Wild Card matches–a matchup between the 8th and 9th seed of both conferences. The winner of this single-elimination game, hosted by the higher seed, enters Round One.

In Round One, the two wild card winners join the other 14 teams (top 7 seeds from each conference) to begin the typical 1-to”8″ playoff bracket: 1st vs. Wildcard winner, 4th vs. 5th, 3rd vs. 6th, and 2nd vs. 7th. This round is played in a best-of-3 format, with the first team to win two games advancing to the Conference Semifinals.

There are eight teams, four from each conference, that will compete in single-elimination matches to advance. This process continues through the Conference Finals, after which the two winners from each conference will face off in the MLS Cup.

Currently, the Vancouver Whitecaps are leading the Western Conference, tied on points with San Jose. The Earthquakes have had a major improvement after they missed out on last season’s playoffs by a tiebreaker to Real Salt Lake. The biggest drop-offs from last season so far have been San Diego and Austin. Last season’s Western Conference leaders and conference finalists, San Diego, are currently just outside of the playoff picture at 10th right now. Austin, who finished 6th last season, are second to last with just 14 points in 15 games.

As things stand, Nashville lead the Eastern Conference, two points above Inter Miami. The biggest jumps have been from New England (11th to 4th) and New York (10th to 5th). The biggest shock across the league has been Philadelphia, winners of last season’s Supporters’ Shield. The Union finished with 66 points and won 20 games, but this season, they have just one win and 7 points across 15 games played.

Race for the Golden Boot and Assist Leaders

Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire) currently leads the Golden Boot race with 13 goals scored in just 11 games. The Belgian striker is continuing his momentum after scoring 19 goals last season.

Just behind him are Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Petar Musa (FC Dallas) with 12 goals each. Lionel Messi, the star of Argentina in the World Cup, has played so well for Inter Miami in his now-4th season for the club. Petar Musa, who scored 19 goals last season, is on pace to break his tally from last season.

Tied for 3rd on the list are Martin Ojeda (Orlando), Preston Judd (San Jose), and Marcus Ingvartsen (San Jose).

On top of the MLS assist leaderboard are Andres Dreyer (San Diego) and Son Heung-Min (LAFC). Dreyer is having another great creative season after finishing 2025 with 17 assists. Son has increased his playmaking role this year, after finishing last season with just 3 assists in his 13 games played.

All MLS matches can be watched in the United States on Apple TV. This week’s schedule includes: