Messi makes MLS history with second straight Golden Boot as Nashville sets points record

Messi wins back-to-back MLS Golden Boots Lionel Messi became the first player to win consecutive MLS Golden Boot awards, finishing the 2026 regular season with a league-high 26 goals in 31 appearances. The Inter Miami forward also recorded 17 assists and a league-best 43 goal contributions. FC Dallas’ Petar Musa finished second with 22 goals, followed by Nashville’s Sam Surridge with 21.

Messi did not score in Miami’s 3-3 draw with Charlotte, but his corner kicks set up the first two goals. Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference with 60 points and will face Columbus in a best-of-three opening playoff series. Messi, already the league MVP in 2024 and 2025, could become its first three-time winner if he claims the 2026 award.

Gio Reyna withdrew from the U.S. squad after suffering a thigh injury during Strasbourg’s 3-1 loss to Toulouse. Reyna scored in the 67th minute and left three minutes later. U.S. Soccer named Stoke City’s Jack McGlynn as his replacement.

McGlynn has scored in three consecutive games for Stoke, which is tied for the lead in England’s Championship. He has five goals and two assists in his past nine games. The U.S. is preparing for a two-leg Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Haiti, with the first leg in Miami and the return in Cincinnati.

Nashville SC finished the regular season with 77 points, surpassing the previous MLS record of 74 set by Inter Miami in 2024. Sam Surridge scored twice in a 2-0 win over Cincinnati, giving him 21 goals for the season. Nashville also secured the Supporters’ Shield and will face the Eastern Conference Wild Card winner in the playoffs.

Nashville set league marks for wins, fewest losses, fewest goals conceded and home wins, and tied the record for shutouts, according to ESPN. The club also qualified for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Kansas City advances after disputed penalty decides quarterfinal Michelle Cooper converted a penalty in the 96th minute to give the Kansas City Current a 1-0 extra-time win over Angel City and a place in the NWSL semifinals. Referee Alexandra Billeter awarded the kick after Kayla Sharples went down following contact with Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson and midfielder Ary Borges.

Angel City interim coach Leif Smerud called the decision “tremendously cheap” and harsh. Captain Sarah Gorden said she was told the call was for a push by Anderson, while Current coach Chris Armas said he trusted the video review process. Kansas City will meet the winner of the Gotham-Seattle quarterfinal.

MLS playoff field is set The MLS playoffs begin with Wild Card matches on Nov. 19. Orlando City will host Cincinnati, and Seattle will host Real Salt Lake; the winners advance to best-of-three first-round series against top seeds Nashville and Vancouver, respectively. MLS announced that all playoff matches will be available on Apple TV.

Seattle secured the No. 8 seed with a 2-1 win over LAFC. Real Salt Lake claimed the West’s other Wild Card berth by beating the LA Galaxy 2-1, while Portland also qualified. LAFC finished sixth in the West and will face St. Louis in Round One.

Charleston and Louisville reach USL Championship conference final Charleston Battery came back from a three-goal deficit to draw Hartford Athletic 3-3, then won a penalty shootout 5-4 in the USL Championship playoffs. Goalkeeper John Berner saved Hartford’s fifth-round attempt, and Jeremy Kelly converted the decisive kick. Charleston will face Louisville City in the Eastern Conference Final.

Louisville advanced with a 3-2 comeback win over Miami FC, capped by Tola Showunmi’s stoppage-time goal. In the West, New Mexico United beat Colorado Springs 4-0 and Sacramento Republic defeated El Paso 2-1. New Mexico and Sacramento will meet in the Western Conference Final.

Cavan Sullivan scored twice and Quinn Sullivan added a goal and two assists as Philadelphia beat Toronto 4-1. They became the third brother pairing in MLS history to score for the same club in one match. Cavan extended his record for most goal contributions by a teenager in a regular season to 23.

Philadelphia finished sixth in the Eastern Conference and will face New England in a best-of-three first-round series.