Matchday 34 of the 2026 MLS season was the last slate of league games before the Decision Day matches. Sports Illustrated listed goals from the round, including late winners by Lionel Messi and Sam Surridge, which affected the playoff race.
Messi lifts Inter Miami
Messi scored a late game-winner as Inter Miami beat the New England Revolution and reclaimed No. 2 in the Eastern Conference. The comeback win over the New England Revolution secured Inter Miami a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. Messi also assisted Germán Berterame’s equalizer in the 69th minute against the New England Revolution. Messi is on 26 goals this season and has 16 assists.
Nashville comeback ends Red Bull New York hopes
Sam Surridge scored a stoppage-time goal as Nashville SC came from 2–0 down to beat Red Bull New York. Surridge headed in a corner kick in the 91st minute against Red Bull New York. The result eliminated Red Bull New York from postseason contention. Nashville’s unbeaten streak reached nine games, and the club reached 74 total points this season, matching MLS’s single-season points record set by Inter Miami in 2024.
Western Conference results
David Da Costa scored in the 25th minute as the Portland Timbers beat the Houston Dynamo 3–1 at Providence Park. The Portland Timbers are eighth in the Western Conference and one point behind the seventh seed.
Ousseni Bouda scored a free kick less than two minutes into San Jose Earthquakes' match against Real Salt Lake, and San Jose Earthquakes won 2–1. Real Salt Lake needed a win on Saturday to clinch a playoff spot and will have one more opportunity to secure one.
Minnesota United beat LAFC
Sergio Vásquez scored a bicycle kick in the 90th minute of Sunday’s match against Minnesota United. Minnesota United beat LAFC 3–1 at BMO Field after LAFC had fallen 3–0 behind. LAFC had already secured a playoff spot and are guaranteed to finish with a top-seven seed in the Western Conference.
