MLS Playoffs 2025 Bracket Set After Decision Day, Lionel Messi Wins Golden Boot

The 2025 MLS playoff picture is set.

Lionel Messi posted a Decision Day hat trick against Nashville SC to win the 2025 Golden Boot and help Inter Miami secure home-field advantage for the postseason.

Messi scored 29 goals in his second MLS season to become the first Inter Miami player to win the award.

Inter Miami is now set to rematch with Nashville in the first round of the 2025 MLB playoffs. Here's a look at the full bracket after Saturday's final matches.

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Eastern Conference

1. Philadelphia Union vs. Eastern Wild Card winner (8. Chicago Fire or 9. Orlando City)

4. Charlotte FC vs. 5. New York City FC

2. FC Cincinnati vs. 7. Columbus Crew

3. Inter Miami vs. 6. Nashville SC

Western Conference

1. San Diego FC vs. Western Wild Card winner (8. Portland Timbers or 9. Real Salt Lake)

4. Minnesota United vs. 5. Seattle Sounders

2. Vancouver Whitecaps vs. 7. FC Dallas

3. LAFC vs. 6. Austin FC

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The first round will feature a "Hell is Real" rematch between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew.

The rivalry, named after the infamous billboard on the interstate roadside between the two cities, last peaked in 2023 when Columbus claimed a 3-2 comeback win in the MLS Playoffs Eastern Conference Final en route to winning the title.

Cincinnati secured the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed with a Decision Day shutout of CF Montreal, while Columbus climbed out of the Wild Card round and into the No. 7 spot in part thanks to a Saturday win over the New York Red Bulls.

Charlotte FC meanwhile sealed home-field advantage for a first-round matchup with New York City FC thanks to a Decision Day win over the Philadelphia Union.

The Philadelphia Union will now wait for next Wednesday's Wild Card game, when the Orlando City SC and Chicago Fire play for the final playoff spot in the East.

San Diego FC meanwhile locked up the top seed in the West thanks to a Decision Day shutout of the Portland Timbers, combined with the Vancouver Whitecaps' loss to FC Dallas.

Either the Portland Timbers or Real Salt Lake will face San Diego FC in the first round, depending on Wednesday's Wild Card results.

Vancouver fell to the No. 2 seed and a first-round rematch with Dallas. Minnesota will face Seattle while LAFC takes on Austin to round out the Western Conference.

Round 1 begins Friday and runs through Sunday, Nov. 9. The conference semifinals are set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, followed by the conference finals the following weekend on Saturday, Nov. 29 and Sunday, Nov. 30.

Everything leads up to the kickoff of the 2025 MLS Cup on Saturday, Dec. 6.