The Crew have one last chance to avoid a postseason play-in game, but will need help from other teams on what MLS has dubbed “Decision Day.”
On Oct. 18, the final day of the regular season for all the league’s teams, the Crew close things out against the New York Red Bulls at Lower.com Field and must win to move up from ninth in the Eastern Conference.
To avoid the play-in game by improving to seventh, thus earning a spot in the first round, the Crew need Orlando City SC to lose to Toronto FC and for the Chicago Fire to record either a draw or loss to the New England Revolution.
If both Orlando City and Chicago finish the regular season with a draw or win, the Crew will go on the road for the conference play-in game on Oct. 22.
The winner of the play-in game advances to a first-round, best-of-three series against the Philadelphia Union. On Oct. 3, The Union were named the 2025 Supporters’ Shield winner after securing the best regular-season record in MLS.
The Crew earned their MLS Cup playoff berth after the Red Bulls were eliminated from contention by New York City FC on Sept. 27.
Can Columbus Crew host the play-in round?
The Crew can move to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings if they win and either Orlando City loses or Chicago draws/loses.
If the Crew are the eighth seed, they will host the play-in at Lower.com Field.
Who could Columbus Crew face in MLS Cup play-in game?
If the Crew remain the ninth seed, they’d be heading to face Orlando City, Chicago or Nashville SC for the play-in.
However, the only way for Nashville to drop into the play-in game is for it to lose while both Chicago and Orlando City pick up victories.
Who will Orlando City SC, Chicago Fire, Nashville SC face on MLS Decision Day?
- Orlando City faces Toronto FC on the road
- Chicago faces the New England Revolution on the road
- Nashville faces Inter Miami at home
Both Toronto and New England are knocked out of playoff contention.
Who will the Crew face in the first round if they finish as the No. 7 seed?
The Crew would face either Inter Miami or FC Cincinnati if they avoid the play-in and advance to the first round as the seventh seed.
Miami and Cincinnati are entering the final day of the regular season battling for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
What is the first tiebreaker for the MLS playoff?
The first tiebreaker in the playoff seeding after total points is total wins.
Current MLS Eastern Conference playoff standings
- Philadelphia Union (20-7-6, 66 points)
- FC Cincinnati (19-9-5, 62 points)
- Inter Miami (18-7-8, 62 points)
- Charlotte FC (18-13-2, 56 points)
- New York City FC (17-11-5, 56 points)
- Nashville SC (16-11-6, 54 points)
- Orlando City SC (14-8-11, 53 points)
- Chicago Fire (15-11-7, 52 points)
- Columbus Crew (13-8-12, 51 points)
The Crew host the Red Bulls at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18.
