The Audi MLS Cup Playoffs picture tightens, St. Louis CITY SC closes in on an MLS record, the U.S. and Canada renew their rivalry, and MLS NEXT Talent ID Weekend returns.
Sunday Night Soccer Showcases St. Louis’ Sensational Run
St. Louis CITY SC’s remarkable unbeaten run is approaching historic heights and becoming one of the stories of the MLS season, culminating on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.
After winning on the road against Red Bull New York on Wednesday, St. Louis are up to 17-straight games unbeaten in MLS play and 19 games in all competitions. Having gone 19 games without a defeat, St. Louis can tie the longest unbeaten streak in all competitions in MLS history, which is held by Red Bull New York in 2016:
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Note: MLS regular-season shootout losses from 1996-99 were counted as a loss
If St. Louis is going to equal the MLS record, it will need to do so at home at Energizer Park against the LA Galaxy and former star forward João Klauss on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire (7 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV).
United States and Canada Reignite Rivalry on Tuesday
Tuesday night marks the final friendly for the United States in the international window as they reignite their rivalry with Canada at Allianz Field in Minnesota (8 p.m. ET).
Over the past two years, Canada has had the United States’ number, winning the last two matchups – the Concacaf Nations League third-place game on March 23, 2025 (2-1) and in an international friendly on Sept. 7, 2024 (2-1). With a group of emerging talent that will have their first taste of the senior national team rivalry, the U.S. is aiming for revenge and looking for their first win against Canada since the 2023 Gold Cup quarterfinals.
Some of the U.S. youngsters have faced off against Canada in the youth national team ranks, which includes Julian Hall, who scored against them in a U17 friendly last year on June 7, with Cavan Sullivan also appearing in that match. On the other side, another Canadian teenager, Richard Chukwu (Toronto FC), played in the game and will now represent Canada in Tuesday’s contest.
In another chapter of the U.S.-Canada rivalry, the new generation will look to have their say in who maintains bragging rights until 2027.
Jam-Packed Playoff Races Take Center Stage with a Handful of Games Left
With a month left in the MLS regular season, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs race has come down to the wire as teams need to take three points against their conference rivals.
Heading into Matchday 29, Seeds 8-13 in both the Eastern and Western Conferences are separated by just five points or fewer. In the Eastern Conference, the marquee matchup is No. 7 Orlando City SC (34 points, 10-13-4) hosting No. 12 Columbus Crew (29 points, 8-14-5). Columbus has won each of their last two regular-season games and a victory against Orlando would be the closest they’ve been to an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs position since the FIFA World Cup break.
For Western Conference clubs, the story of Matchday 29 is crucial cross-conference matches on the road. No. 11 Real Salt Lake (32 points, 9-13-5) travels to face the in-form Philadelphia Union, while No. 12 San Diego FC (32 points, 8-11-8) square off against Red Bull New York. No. 13 Austin FC (31 points, 7-10-10) have the most difficult matchup as they host Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC at Q2 Stadium.
Everything is still to play for coming out of the FIFA International window and clubs will need to make a move now to secure their spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
MLS NEXT Talent ID Weekend Paves the Way for Aspiring Young Players
This weekend, MLS NEXT will provide thousands of aspiring young players with a unique opportunity to take the first step into the MLS player development pathway through its annual Talent ID events.
From October 9-12, MLS club training facilities in 13 markets across 11 states will welcome hundreds of players outside of MLS NEXT to showcase their abilities in front of MLS Academy staff, professional scouts, and national team scouts. For many participants, the events serve as a direct entry point into the league's elite youth development ecosystem.
Since its inception in 2022, more than 600 players have gone on to earn opportunities in MLS NEXT and MLS NEXT Pro, demonstrating the program's ability to connect players with opportunities to continue their development within the MLS pathway.
As MLS NEXT continues to expand, Talent ID has become a critical component of the league's commitment to ensuring the best young players, regardless of where they currently play, have access to the highest levels of competition and development. By connecting emerging talent with MLS academies, the event continues to strengthen MLS NEXT's role as North America's premier player identification and development platform.
