Matchday 28: Eastern Conference playoff races take center stage

By Ari Liljenwall

With the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs fast approaching, the stakes continue to rise across the league.

Matchday 28 brings another packed slate, highlighted by pivotal Eastern Conference showdowns and a clash between perennial contenders.

Here's everything you need to know about three of this weekend's must-watch matches.

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Charlotte FC vs. Chicago Fire FC

Walmart Saturday Showdown

The race for a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference takes center stage when Charlotte FC host Chicago Fire FC for Walmart Saturday Showdown.

Charlotte enter Matchday 28 in fourth place with 43 points, four clear of fifth-place Chicago. The Crown are unbeaten in eight straight (5W-0L-3D), putting themselves in position to secure home-field advantage in Round One of the postseason.

Summer signing Allan Saint-Maximin has played a major role in that surge, producing 1g/5a through his first eight league appearances. The former Newcastle United winger opened his MLS account in last weekend's 2-1 win at D.C. United, scoring the 71st-minute winner.

Chicago are looking to regain their footing after consecutive losses to the New England Revolution and Supporters' Shield-leading Nashville SC, which snapped a previous seven-match unbeaten run.

With Robert Lewandowski away on international duty for Poland, expect Philip Zinckernagel to lead the way for the visitors. The two-time MLS All-Star has 15 goal contributions (5g/10a) this season.

Can Charlotte strengthen their grip on a top-four spot, or will Chicago close the gap and get back on track?

Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City

Two of the Eastern Conference's hottest teams square off when the Philadelphia Union welcome Orlando City to Subaru Park.

No team has been better than Philadelphia since the FIFA World Cup break; the Union are unbeaten in 11 straight (9W-0L-2D) and have climbed to sixth in the East under interim head coach Ryan Richter. Their latest result was wild, as they rallied from a three-goal deficit for a 4-3 victory at Sporting Kansas City.

Cavan Sullivan has been at the heart of the remarkable turnaround. The 16-year-old phenom has scored six goals in his last six matches, while his 12 assists are the most ever by a teenager in a single MLS season.

Unfortunately for Philly, they'll be without their breakout star and fellow homegrowns Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield after the trio was called into their first-ever USMNT camp. Expect Quinn Sullivan, Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani to step up as a result.

Meanwhile, Orlando enter the match at seventh in the East, looking to rebound from last weekend's 4-2 defeat at New England. Summer arrival Antoine Griezmann has transformed the Lions since arriving from Atlético Madrid, providing the attacking spark behind their second-half climb up the table.

With the French star's status for the match still unclear, and 19-year-old forward Justin Ellis also missing for his first USMNT call-up, club legend Martín Ojeda (12g/2a) will likely be relied upon in attack.

Will Philly's red-hot run continue, or can Orlando strengthen their playoff positioning with a road result?

Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami CF

Sunday Night Soccer pres. by Continental Tire

Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire brings a heavyweight matchup to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, where the Columbus Crew host Lionel Messi and defending MLS Cup presented by Audi champions Inter Miami CF.

Miami arrive fresh off another trophy, defeating LIGA MX powerhouse Cruz Azul, 2-0, to capture the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup during new head coach Kily González's first match. Messi delivered another vintage performance, scoring his 100th Inter Miami goal before assisting Casemiro for the clincher as the Herons lifted a trophy for a fourth consecutive season.

And the Argentine legend hasn't slowed down. He scored goal No. 101 in last weekend's 2-2 draw with San Diego FC, continuing to lead Miami's pursuit of becoming the first repeat MLS Cup champions since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12.

Columbus have endured an uneven MLS campaign, but the perennial contenders may be finding their footing. The Crew recently punched their ticket to the US Open Cup final with a 2-1 semifinal victory over Orlando, then followed it up with a 2-0 league win at CF Montréal.

Summer DP signings Brais Méndez and Santiago Rodríguez have provided a major spark, adding high-end attacking pieces as Columbus look to build momentum.

Can the Crew keep the resurgence rolling, or will Messi and the reigning champs spoil the party in Columbus?

Match Trailer | Columbus Crew set for Inter Miami clash