With several playoff spots still available on the final day of the MLS regular season, buzz reigned as teams battled their way to the postseason.
Traditionally known as Decisive Day, all the Eastern Conference clubs played at the same time, followed by those in the West less than three hours later.
When it was all over, FC Cincinnati earned a playoff berth for the first time. Real Salt Lake, Orlando City and Minnesota United also made a place. The Portland Timbers, who reached the MLS Cup final last season, were eliminated. Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar won the Golden Boot.
The duel between Columbus Crew and Orlando City drew attention, with both teams fighting for the possibility of advancing. The Lions came from behind to defeat the Crew 2-1 and advance.
Brenner scored three goals before halftime as FC Cincinnati beat DC United 5-2. The Brazilian forward managed three hat tricks and scored 18 goals in the season.
Cincinnati finished fifth in the East, ahead of Inter Miami and Orlando for the last two playoff spots. With the loss, Columbus did not make the cut.
“We’re going to try to enjoy it a lot, because these players and the staff have worked very hard to get to this point,” Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said.
Like Cincinnati, Miami will make its first postseason appearance despite losing 3-1 to Montreal in the last round. David Beckham’s team joined the league in 2020.
“I suppose that the sum of all the parts is the most important thing for us. We build a team, not a group of individuals. There are probably teams in the league that have better individuals, but they didn’t get better as a team,” Miami coach Phil Neville said.
The Timbers, embroiled in a scandal, needed to tie or win at Real Salt Lake to make the playoffs, but RSL came out with a 3-1 victory and the ticket.
The team shares ownership with the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s League (NWSL). An investigation uncovered details of misconduct in the NWSL. The team laid off managers and owner Merritt Paulson left the day-to-day operations of the teams.
Minnesota United clinched one of the last spots in the West with a 2-0 victory over Vancouver. The Whitecaps were eliminated
A record 19,941 fans witnessed the Loons pass at Allianz Field.
