MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day 2026 is here!
Storylines galore are set to unfold as eight postseason spots are up for grabs, along with thrilling races for individual honors.
Read more about the headline items heading into Sunday's season finale below.
Golden Boot
The coveted honor looks to be down to a two-man race.
Atlanta United 2's Arif Kovac comes into the final week leading the pack at 19. The 20-year-old striker has led the league for most of the season and was supercharged by a five-goal breakout in Matchweek 11 as ATL UTD 2 topped Huntsville City FC in a comeback 6-2 win. He'll try to add to his lead when ATL UTD 2 travel to Orlando City B on Sunday (2 PM ET | MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball) and figures to like his odds, as he posted a brace in his last clash with OCB.
Chattanooga FC's historic season can claim another milestone moment with striker Alex Krehl. At 18 goals this season, he's already posted the highest tally in club history. He and CFC are on the road at Chicago Fire FC II (2 PM ET | MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball). Krehl, 23, heads to the Windy City in prime form with seven goals in the last seven matches, headlined by a hat trick in Matchweek 26's win over Carolina Core FC.
Behind Kovac and Krehl, a five-way tie for third place at 13 goals.
Playmaker of the Year
Similar stakes are taking place in the second-ever Playmaker of the Year race, awarded to the player who registers the most assists.
Columbus Crew 2's Kevin Gbamblé and Cameron Dunbar are knotted at 11, with a host of credible contenders behind them.
Crown Legacy FC's Nathan Richmond sits at 10, while Chattanooga FC's Tate Robertson and St Louis CITY2's Riley Lynch are also in the picture with nine.
A gentleman's hat trick could also shake things up. Ventura County FC's Julian Placias and Tacoma Defiance's Charlie Gaffney sit at eight and have the tall task of crashing the party.
Playoff seeding
Where to begin?
In the East, it's all up for grabs. Only the top four sides have secured their playoff status. This leaves seven teams fighting for the last five remaining spots, including a battle for eighth and ninth place that will result in a play-in game,
CT United FC vie for history, battling to be the first-ever independent club to make the playoffs in their inaugural season. Orlando City B and Atlanta United 2, both fighting to extend their seasons, go head-to-head on Sunday, as well as Philadelphia Union II vs. New York City FC II.
Things are a little more straightforward in the West.
Four teams battle for three spots. At the moment, San Jose Earthquakes II are on the outside looking in. Minnesota United FC 2 occupy seventh place, and North Texas SC and Tacoma Defiance hold play-in round spots.
How will it end? We can only guess. Be sure to follow along with the scenario tracker to see your team's to-do list on Sunday.
Record breaker?
Portland Timbers2 goalkeeper Sam Joseph has posted 12 clean sheets this season, tying Damian Las' 2023 regular-season record with Austin FC II.
T2 travel to Cascadia rival Tacoma Defiance for their Decision Day matchup. Joseph registered clean sheets in both of Timbers2's wins over the Defiance this year, and goes for history as he aims for the season sweep.
How to watch
All matches will stream on MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball. Eastern Conference matches are scheduled to kick off at 2 PM ET, followed by Western Conference kickoffs at 5 PM ET.
