Major League Soccer (MLS) served up another great weekend of fixtures, as the playoff picture continues to sharpen across both conferences. Lionel Messi scored his 101st goal for Inter Miami, while Cavan Sullivan added another goal to his historic MLS season. Here are the main takeaways and results from MLS Round 26:
Nashville clinches first playoff spot
Supporters’ Shield frontrunners Nashville cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Chicago Fire FC at GEODIS Park, officially punching their ticket to the postseason with eight regular-season matches still to play. The result underlines just how far ahead of the pack Nashville has pulled in the Eastern Conference table this season, and any chance of Inter Miami or another team pulling close to them seems increasingly unlikely.
Messi scored his 101st goal for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi continued his immaculate form for Inter Miami, netting his 101st goal for the club via a free kick in their 2-2 draw against San Diego FC on Sunday night. The first-half equalizer was also his 20th league goal of the season, while Luis Suárez added another for Miami to put them ahead in the 74th minute. Anders Dreyer, who scored just 12 minutes into the game, secured his brace for San Diego to snatch a late equalizer in the 82nd minute.
Union win in high-scoring clash vs. Kansas City
Philadelphia’s unbeaten run and high-level performances continued dramatically as the Union pushed through Sporting Kansas City 4-3 in a back-and-forth thriller. Cavan Sullivan scored, continuing his streak of six straight games with either a goal or an assist. The 16-year-old has been a catalyst under Ryan Richter and earned his first call-up to the USMNT this week.
New England win third straight
New England made it three straight wins with a 4-2 win over Orlando City SC, with late stoppage-time goals from Carles Gil and Peyton Miller securing the victory. With this win, the Revs now sit in second in the Eastern Conference, ahead of Inter Miami.
St. Louis City continue unbeaten run
St. Louis City turned in a dominant second-half showing to beat Toronto FC 3-1 in a win that pulls them level on points with Houston. Although they remain five points behind Western Conference leaders Vancouver, St. Louis are in elite form as they extended their unbeaten streak in the MLS to 16 games.
MLS results from all 15 games this weekend
| Fixture | Score |
|---|---|
| NYCFC vs. NY Red Bulls | 0-1 |
| Montreal vs. Columbus | 0-2 |
| DC United vs. Charlotte FC | 1-2 |
| New England vs. Orlando | 4-2 |
| San Jose vs. LAFC | 2-2 |
| Dallas vs. Austin FC | 0-0 |
| Houston vs. Cincinnati | 2-2 |
| Minnesota vs. LA Galaxy | 2-3 |
| Sporting KC vs. Philadelphia | 3-4 |
| St. Louis City vs. Toronto | 3-1 |
| Nashville SC vs. Chicago | 3-0 |
| Salt Lake vs. Vancouver | 0-3 |
| Colorado vs. Seattle Sounders | 3-3 |
| Portland vs. Atlanta United | 0-1 |
| Inter Miami CF vs. San Diego FC | 2-2 |
MLS continues this Saturday with 14 matches despite the international break. The matchweek will conclude on Sunday with a matchup between Columbus and Inter Miami.
