After a thrilling regular season came to an end on Decision Day, the road to the MLS Cup final officially began. Portland Timbers and Chicago Fire then won their respective Wild Card matches to join the remaining 14 clubs all hoping to claim MLS glory.

Minnesota United has its sights set on eliminating the Seattle Sounders from the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs on Monday night. The first meeting in this first-round series between these Western Conference rivals went right down to the wire.

Major League Soccer announced Monday Minnesota United FC's Dayne St. Clair is the Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2025 season.

While Inter Miami may feel in command, their historic first-round playoff loss to Atlanta United last season still lingers this postseason. Inter Miami, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners, won Game 1 against Atlanta before dropping the next two matches to end their season short of MLS Cup title expectations.

A 3-1 win in Game 1 saw all the momentum shift to Lionel Messi and company after the Argentine scored two goals. But with the rain coming down in Nashville, a slow start doomed Javier Mascherano's side, who gave the hosts a penalty kick within the first 10 minutes and conceded again right before halftime.

Why Spurs fans are frustrated, despite being fifth in the Premier League. Plus: Son shines in MLS play-offs, Messi stutters

Lionel Messi wrapped up his 2025 MLS season with Inter Miami. Although on the collective front, the Argentinian superstar couldn’t guide his side to a second consecutive Shield win, his individual brilliance remained unmatched.

The Miller family became the majority owners of Real Salt Lake midway through last season. Salt Lake ultimately finished ninth in the Western Conference, losing to Portland in the wild-card round.

MLS salaries have been revealed, and there are no prizes for guessing its top earner. But what does it say about the competition?