# MLS Decision Day: Playoff Spots and Awards

> LA Galaxy and Inter Miami battle for playoff spots as Messi eyes Golden Boot.
- Title: MLS Decision Day: Playoff Spots and Awards · the Guardian
- Summary: LA Galaxy and Inter Miami battle for playoff spots as Messi eyes Golden Boot. LA Galaxy and Inter Miami compete for playoff berths while Lionel Messi aims to…
- Keywords: mls, la galaxy, inter miami, golden boot, wooden spoon, playoff spots, sporting kc, montréal, miami, champions cup, the Guardian
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/nov/05/mls-decision-day-storylines
- Published: 2026-11-05T16:30:28+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mls, la galaxy, inter miami, golden boot, wooden spoon, playoff spots, sporting kc, montréal, miami, champions cup, sports
## Who snatches the Wooden Spoon?
Sporting KC remain within striking distance of Montréal for the Wooden Spoon.

> a stoppage-time penalty save, though, preserved the club’s draw with fc dallas and handed them a route to escape the bottom of the table
## Where does Inter Miami end up?
A win against Charlotte secures Inter Miami’s No 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

> his 26 goals put him four clear of his nearest competitor
## Who misses out in the East?
NYC FC, Red Bull New York and Toronto FC miss the postseason.

> the red bulls have impressed in several matches in michael bradley’s first season as an mls manager
## Who misses out in the West?
LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders vie for playoff spots.

> the seattle sounders need a win against los angeles fc
## Decision Day stakes
Eight 4pm ET kickoffs on the east coast and seven games on the west coast determine playoff spots.

> with eight 4pm et kickoffs on the east coast and another seven games kicking off hours later out west on saturday
## Lionel Messi’s Golden Boot
Messi’s 26 goals put him four clear of nearest competitor for Golden Boot.

> his 26 goals put him four clear of his nearest competitor
## Key takeaway

LA Galaxy and Inter Miami compete for playoff berths while Lionel Messi aims to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons.