The Pitch: The Run-In Starts Now

With final rosters now in place, favorites and challengers emerge, with the push for playoff positions taking center stage.

A Must-Watch Week for the Union

A perfect pass from Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre dominating in the air, the Union winning games – the 2026 Philadelphia Union regular season has begun to sound a lot like MLS NEXT, MLS NEXT Pro, and the Youth National Teams in recent years. 

Whether it's teenage sensations Sullivan and Pierre, the dramatic return of Kai Wagner, or the impact of interim head coach Ryan Richter, the Union are becoming the story of the second half of the regular season. For many, this is not that big of a surprise. Philadelphia won the Supporters' Shield last year, and the breakout teenagers have simply won at every step in the MLS Player Pathway.  

This week, the spotlight really ramps up on the Union. On Wednesday, they host FC Cincinnati (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV / FS1 / FOX Deportes) and former Union technical director, Chris Albright. Albright left Philadelphia to become Cincinnati’s general manager in 2021 and has since helped guide the Orange and Blue to four successive postseason appearances (2022-2025). 

It culminates with Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire as Philadelphia travel out west to face San Diego FC (9 p.m. ET / MLS on Apple TV) as both clubs continue their second half climb up the standings to the playoffs.

Nashville Chase Points Record in Crucial Week

Following Friday night's draw against New York City FC, Nashville remains on pace to set the MLS single-season points record. 

Nashville is currently tracking to finish the season with 78 points, 4 more than the record set by Inter Miami CF in 2024 (74). If B.J. Callaghan and his star-studded lineup want to make history, this week's set of two matches will be absolutely crucial. Wednesday's clash in Toronto will be tricky as the Canadian side is unbeaten in their last three matches at home, with all coming against current Eastern Conference playoff sides. 

The big match will be on Saturday against Inter Miami CF at Nu Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV). Nashville dominated the August 15 match-up against the Herons, winning 4-1 and taking a commanding lead in the Supporters' Shield race. Now the attention turns to Miami, in which the home side will look to get revenge in the first contest between the clubs at Nu Stadium.

Cash For Player Trade Rule Changing MLS in Just Two Years

With the close of the window last week, it also marked two full seasons since the introduction of the Cash for Player trade rule, which has drastically impacted the landscape of the league. 

Prior to the rule being implemented in January 2025, it was almost impossible for clubs to trade for active high-profile MLS players. However, the rule has done exactly that, allowing clubs to bring in established talent or bright young prospects they value. 

There has been a total of 25 Cash for Player trades across the two years, and below are several key figures: 

• More than $80 million of cash has been traded with up to $12 million in additional conditionals. 

• 92% of Cash for Player Trades involved a Designated Player or U22 Initiative signing. 

• The average age of players traded was just 24 years old. 

• Half of the players traded were MLS Homegrown players. 

• Notable big names traded under this mechanism were Evander, Rafael Navarro, Dejan Joveljić, Djordje Mihailovic, Tai Baribo, Owen Wolff, and many more.

Charlotte FC on a Second Half Tear

A model of consistency in the Eastern Conference, Charlotte FC has come out of the FIFA World Cup break with a purpose, and an electric new Designated Player. 

With Wilfried Zaha departing the club, Charlotte turned their attention to Allan Saint-Maximin as their new Designated Player, and he has not disappointed. Skill, speed, flair, Saint-Maximin has it all, and Charlotte's attack is humming with multiple goals in four of their last five matches. The addition of the French star combined with the MLS Best XI-caliber play from Pep Biel, highlights how dangerous Charlotte can be in the second half of the season. 

Of course, all of this is being led by head coach Dean Smith, who has quietly created one of the most consistent teams in the league. With two road matches this week, Smith can become the fifth manager in the post-shootout era to win at least 45 regular-season games in his first three seasons, joining the likes of Steve Cherundolo, Pat Noonan, Wilfried Nancy, and Jesse Marsch. 

Smith has shown he is one of the best coaches in the league year-after-year, and with revamped star power, Charlotte is undoubtedly a team that no one would want to see in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.