# Wooden Spoon, Golden Boot and playoff spots: what to watch for on MLS Decision Day

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/wooden-spoon-golden-boot-and-playoff-spots-what-to-watch-for-on-mls-decision-day/
- Published: 2026-11-05T16:30:28+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T17:04:47+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/nov/05/mls-decision-day-storylines
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Entertainment, Football, Politics, Sport, TV, World

## Key points

- Nashville have clinched the Supporters’ Shield.
- Messi leads the Golden Boot race by four goals.
- Six Western teams are chasing three playoff places.

## Summary

Nashville SC have already secured the Supporters’ Shield, but the final day of the MLS regular season still carries major stakes. Sporting Kansas City could avoid finishing last, Lionel Messi is close to another Golden Boot, and several clubs are competing for the remaining Western Conference playoff places.

Sporting KC are three points behind Montréal; a win over San Diego and a Montréal defeat would leave them level on 26 points, with Kansas City ahead on wins. Messi’s 26 goals put him four clear of his nearest rival, while Inter Miami need a win over Charlotte to guarantee the Eastern Conference’s second seed. In the West, six teams are chasing three places; the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake meet in a key match, while Portland are among the teams seeking qualification.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.