MLS USMNT Recap (October 14): Peyton Miller shines in win, more Cavan Sullivan highlights

We might need two Decision Days to decide who makes the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. Look no further than the Eastern Conference, where 14 of the 15 teams are either in control of a postseason spot or are within six points (equal to two wins) of one.

I'm going to try and make sense of what happened in the last matchday, but this might take me two Decision Days to do so.

Tim Ream returns, but Charlotte stumbles against in-form Columbus

The Columbus Crew might not be contesting the U.S. Open Cup Final for another week, but they are clearly treating every game like it is that kind of contest. Even though Charlotte FC sat 17 points clear of the Crew at the start of the matchday, that didn't necessarily resonate with either team, for better or for worse. The Crew was able to turn around an early 1-0 deficit to secure a 3-1 win and a massive three points in what seemed to be a fading opportunity to make the playoffs.

Now-former USMNT defender Tim Ream made his return to the Charlotte lineup in this contest and wound up playing the full 90 minutes.

Matt Freese on losing end of a contest once again, this time to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami

It hasn't been a great post-international window period for USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese. One matchday after his New York City FC side lost control of an Eastern Conference playoff spot, they dropped a road contest against Inter Miami, losing by a 2-0 scoreline. Freese ended up making two saves during the contest and played the full 90 minutes.

While the loss didn't mean lost ground on Cincinnati and Red Bull New York, both of whom currently occupy the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, they are now level with Toronto FC and D.C. United on points, and Columbus Crew sits just a point behind the three (more on that race below).

Despite red card, D.C. United secure seismic three points

Despite being outshot 15-3 and 7-3 in terms of shots on target, D.C. United was able to put together a strong first-half performance to secure a massive win against Red Bull New York. Both Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti were involved in the contest, though neither player was able to record any attacking contribution for their club. The latter was also taken off after 57 minutes.

The loss didn't impact Red Bull New York's hold on a postseason spot, but it brought D.C. United within a win of the club in the standings. And with other results in mind, there are now seven clubs fighting for two postseason spots; that list now includes Red Bull New York.

New England bounces back, earns road win against playoff-chasing Cincinnati side

The pendulum that is the top-six race might be swinging in New England's favor once again. That possibility was confirmed on Wednesday as the Revs defeated FC Cincinnati 3-2 to strengthen their hold on a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference.

Peyton Miller recorded two assists, while Brooklyn Raines was able to contest the full 90 minutes. At the same time, despite conceding a pair of goals, goalkeeper Matt Turner made seven saves against a Cincinnati team that had their fair share of attacking opportunities.

Toronto FC gets another late goal to secure result against Orlando City

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Toronto FC does have a recent tendency to score some big goals late in games. Whether it can carry Toronto to the playoffs remains to be seen, but it did earn them a draw against an Orlando City side that seemed poised to secure the last few results needed to get into the postseason.

Josh Sargent got the start against Orlando City and ended up recording a pair of shots on target during the contest. Djordje Mihailovic came on as a second-half substitute; he ended up recording a shot on target during his 34 minutes of action. Justin Ellis was absent for Orlando City.

Brian Schwake earns a clean sheet against Sporting Kansas City, Nashville draws closer to Eastern Conference's top seed

USMNT goalkeeper Brian Schwake put together another clean sheet as his Nashville SC side defeated Sporting KC by a 4-0 scoreline. Three first-half goals all but secured the win for Nashville, while a second-half stoppage-time goal rounded out the scoring for the league leaders.

The win maintained Nashville's 14-point advantage over Inter Miami for the top spot in the Eastern Conference while guaranteeing the club at least second in the conference.

Union rally to defeat the Chicago Fire, extend unbeaten run to 14

So far, so good for the Philadelphia Union as they entered a three-game stretch against some of the Eastern Conference's top-six teams. The first of those three games saw the Union reverse a first-half deficit to put together a 3-1 victory, which extended the club's ongoing unbeaten run to 14 MLS contests.

Cavan Sullivan recorded a pair of assists and a pair of shots on target during his 80 minutes of action. He's up to 21 goal contributions this season, setting a new MLS record for goal contributions by a teenager. Odds are, he's going to expand on that record before the end of the season.

Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield were also involved for the Union, though the former conceded three fouls and picked up a yellow card. Despite making three saves, Chicago Fire/USMNT goalkeeper Chris Brady's struggles continued against the Union; he conceded all three goals scored by the club.

With the win, the Union's deficit to Charlotte FC in fifth is just one point, while the gap to Chicago in fourth is equal to one win.

Seattle Sounders' unbeaten run ends against FC Dallas

The Seattle Sounders dropped a 1-0 decision to FC Dallas on Wednesday, marking their first defeat in almost two months. Midfielder Cristian Roldan was one of the starters for the Sounders; he did not record a shot on target during his involvement in the contest.

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