MLS Matchday 31 recap: Philadelphia Union and Minnesota United clinch berths in the MLS Cup Playoffs

The Philadelphia Union and Minnesota United both clinched berths in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs during Matchday 31.

A 1-0 win over FC Cincinnati got the job done for the Union, and a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers allowed Minnesota United to punch their ticket. The Union are five points ahead of FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference, but they are just one point ahead of San Diego FC in the MLS Supporters' Shield standings.

Apart from two more clubs clinching playoff spots, CF Montreal became the second MLS club to be eliminated from playoff contention. They join D.C. United in that category.

In addition to MLS play, the Seattle Sounders defeated Inter Miami 3-0 on Sunday evening to win the League Cup. Seattle became the first club to win every North American trophy.

Sparks, punches, and spit were flying after the final whistle. We'll see what, if any, disciplinary action follows the post-match altercations.

The MLS season is winding down, and the playoffs are right around the corner. Here are five of the best matches from MLS Matchday 31.

Union clinch MLS playoff berth with a win in Cincy

Even after being down a man from the 60th minute onward, the Union managed to hold onto their 1-0 lead and earn a spot in the playoffs.

Bruno Damiani put the Union ahead in the 49th minute with his fifth goal of the season, and goalkeeper Andrew Rick also picked up his seventh clean sheet of the season. Centerback Olwethu Makhanya was sent off with a red card in the 60th minute, but the Union managed to hold it down and pick up three points.

Minnesota United is playoff-bound.

Minnesota United probably would've liked to clinch a playoff berth with a win, but a 1-1 draw still got the job done.

It took until the 80th minute for a team to score, and it was Portland, courtesy of an own goal by Minnesota centerback Nicolas Romero. Minnesota then struck back just five minutes later with a goal by Robin Lod.

Minnesota became the third team to clinch a playoff berth this season, and also the second team in the Western Conference.

San Diego takes down LAFC on Sunday Night Soccer

The Leagues Cup final was easily the main headliner on Sunday, but San Diego FC and LAFC took to the pitch for Sunday Night Soccer.

It was Son Heung-min's debut at home as an LAFC player, and it didn't go the way he would've wanted as San Diego walked out of BMO Stadium with a 2-1 win.

Denis Bouanga got LAFC on the scoreboard first in the 15th minute. Chucky Lozano equalized for San Diego in the 33rd, and then Anders Dreyer put his side ahead in the 66th, which would be enough for three points.

San Diego is just one point behind the Philadelphia Union for the top spot of the Supporters' Shield table.

Atlanta pulls off a 1-0 win over Nashville

Atlanta United has had an extremely poor year, but they managed to upset Nashville SC, who are now fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Ronald Hernández scored for Atlanta in the 24th minute, and that was all that was needed to leave GEODIS Park with three points. Nashville's next league fixture isn't until Sept. 13, which will be against FC Cincinnati.

Charlotte moves into third in the East

Charlotte FC's 2-1 win over the New England Revolution and Nashville SC's loss moved them into third place in the Eastern Conference.

It's been a wild year for Charlotte, and they've seen themselves all over the East standings, with being in first place at one point. Charlotte is now pretty much a playoff lock, but the East is still pretty tight from third place downwards.

Brandt Bronico put Charlotte ahead in the 12th minute, but then Ignatius Ganago equalized for New England in the 24th minute. Charlotte didn't retake the lead until the 87th minute from a goal by Idan Toklomati.

MLS Standings after Matchday 31

MLS's Eastern Conference

x - Philadelphia Union - 57 ptsFC Cincinnati - 52 ptsCharlotte FC - 50 ptsNashville SC - 50 ptsOrlando City - 47 ptsInter Miami - 46 ptsColumbus Crew - 46 ptsNYCFC - 44 ptsNew York Red Bulls - 40 ptsChicago Fire - 39 ptsNew England Revolution - 31 ptsAtlanta United - 26 ptsToronto FC - 25 ptsCF Montreal - 24 ptsD.C. United - 24 pts

MLS's Western Conference

x - San Diego FC - 56 ptsx - Minnesota United - 51 ptsVancouver Whitecaps - 49 ptsSeattle Sounders - 44 ptsLAFC - 41 ptsPortland Timbers - 39 ptsAustin FC - 38 ptsColorado Rapids - 36 ptsSan Jose Earthquakes - 35 ptsHouston Dynamo - 32 ptsReal Salt Lake - 31 ptsFC Dallas - 30 ptsSporting Kansas City - 27 ptsSt. Louis City - 21 ptsLA Galaxy - 19 pts

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