The home stretch is here, as teams vie for an Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs place during Matchday 32.
Lionel Messi’s red-hot Inter Miami and Red Bull New York kick off the action before Antoine Griezmann and Orlando City take center stage for a Walmart Saturday Showdown against New York City FC. Then, all eyes turn to an El Tráfico edition of Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire, featuring LAFC and LA Galaxy.
Here’s what to watch.
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- WHEN: Saturday, 5:30 pm ET
- WATCH: Apple TV
Red Bull New York are fighting to lock in a playoff berth in head coach Michael Bradley's first season. They're currently clinging to the ninth and final spot in the Eastern Conference, three points behind eighth-place FC Cincinnati and level on points with 10th-place Toronto FC.
Led by a pair of recently capped US men’s national team players who were honored among the 2026 22 Under 22 rankings, the Red Bulls will lean on Julian Hall (11g/5a) and Adri Mehmeti (1g/6a) in their hunt for a bounceback result after last week’s 2-0 loss to TFC.
There may be no better time for New York to deliver a signature win.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami look to solidify their claim to second in the Eastern Conference, with the ultimate goal of becoming the first back-to-back MLS Cup presented by Audi champions since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12.
Messi will take center stage for the Herons and remains as lethal as ever. His league-leading 40 goal contributions (25g/15a) put him in line to win a third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP and secure a second straight MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi.
He captains a star-studded roster which also includes Luis Suárez (15g/12a), Rodrigo De Paul (5g/14a) and Casemiro, among others.
Will RBNY, led by their young core, pull off the upset? Or will Messi & Co. keep their win streak alive?
- WHEN: Saturday, 7:30 pm ET
- WATCH: Apple TV
Few players have been as influential for their clubs as Antoine Griezmann has been for Orlando City this season.
The 2018 World Cup champion has recorded 12g/7a in 14 league matches, leading the Lions' charge up the Eastern Conference standings. They currently sit seventh and have lost just twice in their last 10 games.
Griezmann's 2g/1a performance in Matchday 31’s 4-1 win over D.C. United earned him Player of the Matchday honors for the second time this season.
Griezmann’s form puts him in contention for Newcomer of the Year, but he’s far from the only piece in Orlando’s puzzle. Club legend Martín Ojeda leads the way with 15g/4a this season. USMNT youngster Justin Ellis (1g/11a) has elevated his game in recent months and has formed a potent partnership with the Frenchman and Canadian international Maxime Crépeau has found his form in goal.
On the other side, it's becoming desperation time for New York City FC.
After spending a majority of this season in the postseason picture, the Pigeons now find themselves on the outside looking in. After just one win in their last 13 attempts, they're two points adrift of rivals Red Bull for the final playoff spot.
The good news? They're still only two points outside of the playoffs. With just four games remaining, points are as crucial as ever for head coach Pascal Jansen's side.
They'll rely on USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese to thwart Orlando's attack, as well as Nicolás Fernández Mercau (15g/9a), the squad's brightest star this year.
A week before Halloween, do NYCFC have a trick up their sleeve to tame the Lions?
- WHEN: Sunday, 9 pm ET
- WATCH: Apple TV
El Tráfico is back with Los Angeles bragging rights on the line!
LAFC enter the match looking to complete the season sweep of their crosstown rivals. The Black & Gold are unbeaten under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit (1W-0L-2D), after settling for a 1-1 draw at NYCFC last week.
Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga continue to lead the way. The South Korean superstar has a joint-MLS-best 15 assists in 2026. Bouanga, meanwhile, has recorded 17g/9a, three tallies shy of a record fourth straight campaign with at least 20 goals.
A win would be key for LAFC in their hunt for a coveted top-four spot in the Western Conference. They currently sit two points behind the fourth-place San Jose Earthquakes with three games to go.
For the Galaxy, a win would do them a world of good in their hunt to secure a postseason berth. LA are eighth in the West, and although they hold a four-point lead over 10th-place RSL, the Claret-and-Cobalt have a game in hand.
With so few games remaining on the schedule, points have become precious for the Galaxy. Marco Reus has been the catalyst for LA this season, with a team-high 20 goal contributions (8g/12a).
He, alongside Joseph Paintsil and João Klauss, will have to be at their best to break down a stout LAFC defensive unit.
Which team will leave Matchday 32 with a vital three points? When it comes to El Tráfico, you can usually throw out the record books and expect some fireworks.
