2026 MLS Cup Playoffs

Matchday 33: Who can clinch playoffs or be eliminated?

26-PlayoffsScenarios_MD33-Griezmann

During Matchday 33 on Wednesday:

  • Six teams can clinch an Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot.
  • Seven teams can be eliminated from Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs contention.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Charlotte FC logo
Charlotte FC

Charlotte will clinch a berth in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs if:

  1. ✅ Charlotte win/draw vs. Montréal or…
  2. ✅ New York lose/draw at New England or…
  3. ❌ Columbus lose/draw at Dallas

UPDATE: Charlotte won 4-0 vs. Montréal.

Philadelphia Union logo
Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia will clinch a berth in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs if:

  1. ❌ Philadelphia win at Nashville or…
  2. ❌ Philadelphia draw at Nashville AND New York draw at New England or…
  3. ✅ New York lose at New England or…
  4. ❌ Columbus lose/draw at Dallas

UPDATE: Philadelphia drew 0-0 at Nashville.

Orlando City logo
Orlando City

Orlando will clinch a berth in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs if:

  1. ❌ Orlando win at Chicago AND Columbus lose at Dallas

UPDATE: Orlando drew 2-2 at Chicago.

FC Cincinnati logo
FC Cincinnati

Cincinnati will clinch a berth in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs if:

  1. ❌ Cincinnati win at Miami AND Columbus lose at Dallas

UPDATE: Cincinnati drew 2-2 at Miami.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Sounders FC logo
Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle will clinch a berth in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs if:

  1. ❌ Seattle win vs. Houston AND Portland lose/draw at St. Louis

UPDATE: Seattle lost 1-0 vs. Houston.

Colorado Rapids logo
Colorado Rapids

Colorado will clinch a berth in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs if:

  1. ❌ Colorado win at San Jose AND Portland lose/draw at St. Louis AND Salt Lake lose/draw at Austin

UPDATE: Colorado drew 2-2 at San Jose.

ELIMINATION SCENARIOS
Eastern Conference
Toronto FC logo
Toronto FC

Toronto will be eliminated from Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs contention if:

  1. ❌ Toronto lose vs. D.C. AND New York win at New England

UPDATE: Toronto won 2-1 vs. D.C.

New York City Football Club logo
New York City Football Club

New York City will be eliminated from Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs contention if:

  1. ❌ New York City lose/draw vs. Atlanta AND New York win at New England or…
  2. ❌ New York City lose vs. Atlanta AND Columbus win at Dallas

UPDATE: New York City won 2-1 vs. Atlanta.

D.C. United logo
D.C. United

D.C. will be eliminated from Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs contention if:

  1. ✅ D.C. lose at Toronto or…
  2. ❌ D.C. draw at Toronto AND New York draw at New England or…
  3. ❌ D.C. draw at Toronto AND Columbus win at Dallas or…
  4. ❌ New York win at New England

UPDATE: D.C. lost 2-1 at Toronto.

Atlanta United logo
Atlanta United

Atlanta will be eliminated from Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs contention if:

  1. ✅ Atlanta lose/draw at New York City or…
  2. ❌ New York win/draw at New England or…
  3. ✅ Columbus win at Dallas

UPDATE: Atlanta lost 2-1 at New York City.

ELIMINATION SCENARIOS
Western Conference
San Diego FC logo
San Diego FC

San Diego will be eliminated from Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs contention if:

  1. ✅ San Diego lose at Vancouver or…
  2. ❌ San Diego draw at Vancouver AND Salt Lake win at Austin

UPDATE: San Diego lost 4-1 at Vancouver.

Minnesota United FC logo
Minnesota United FC

Minnesota will be eliminated from Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs contention if:

  1. ❌ Minnesota lose vs. Kansas City or…
  2. ❌ Minnesota draw vs. Kansas City AND Salt Lake win at Austin

UPDATE: Minnesota won 3-1 vs. Kansas City.

Austin FC logo
Austin FC

Austin will be eliminated from Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs contention if:

  1. ✅ Austin lose/draw vs. Salt Lake

UPDATE: Austin lost 2-1 vs. Salt Lake.