How to Watch MLS Decision Day: Salt Lake vs. Portland, Orlando vs. Columbus and more | Channels, Streams, Start Times, Previews

The final schedule of games in the 2022 Major League Soccer regular season is upon us, with many significant competitions on Sunday. Clubs compete for a better placement while others simply try to qualify for the playoffs on decision day.

• Check out the MLS Football TV and ESPN+

DC United (7-20-6) vs FC Cincinnati (11-9-13)

• When: Sunday 9 October
• time: 2:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Audi Field (Washington, DC)
• Electricity: ESPN+

Cincinnati is looking to secure the franchise’s first playoff spot since jumping into MLS three years ago. They currently have a three-point lead over eighth-place Orlando. They suffered a loss to the Chicago Fire last week despite having a solid 3-1-2 record on September 1st.

DC have struggled this season and will end up being the club with the fewest points in the regular season as they currently sit seven points behind Toronto FC and the San Jose Earthquakes. Now they will try to play spoilers on Sunday.

DCU has picked up a win over Cincy this season after stealing a 1-0 decision in Ohio in the second game of the season.

Orlando City SC (13-14-6) vs. Columbus Crew (10-7-16)

• When: Sunday 9 October
• time: 2:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Exploria Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
• Channel: FOX Sports 1, FOX deported
• Electricity: FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Sling

A win-and-you’re-in scenario on Sunday in Florida as Orlando meets with crew and both clubs are pushing for an easy goal.

Columbus is ahead, a point ahead of Orlando for the final playoff spot in the East, and is struggling to get into the postseason after missing last year. They haven’t been as successful as they would like, winning just one of their last six games despite drawing four in that span. If it works out, the Crew could overtake Cincinnati with a win over Orlando and Cincinnati with a draw against DC

A similar story for Orlando as they have a chance to leapfrog both Cincy and Columbus with a win. However, unlike the crew, Orlando has lost some tough games lately. They have lost four of their last five competitions, three of them by multiple goals. Orlando hopes to make the playoffs for the third straight season.

Orlando won the first meeting of the season, defeating the crew in Columbus in April.

CLINCH SCENARIOS

• CLB: Win vs. Orlando…OR Draw vs. Orlando and Cincinnati wins vs. DC United
• ORL: Win vs Columbus…OR Draw vs Columbus and DC United wins vs Cincinnati
• CIN: Win or draw against DC United…OR lose against DC and Orlando/Columbus doesn’t end in a draw

Minnesota United FC (13-14-6) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (12-14-7)

• When: Sunday 9 October
• time: 5:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Alliance Field (St. Paul, Minn.)
• Electricity: ESPN+

Minnesota has an easy task Sunday not to lose. They currently hold the last playoff spot in the Western Conference with 45 points, one ahead of Salt Lake and two ahead of the Whitecaps. They’re hoping to make the playoffs for the third straight season but need to try to reverse their recent losing streak. They have gone 0-5-1 in their last six competitions and have not won since August 27.

With just one win, the Whitecaps make it to the playoffs for the second year in a row. Vancouver has had three straight wins, including the postseason elimination of the Seattle Sounders to give them a chance to keep their season alive. The problem is that the Whitecaps are 2-10-4 away from home this season.

In their first meeting in Vancouver in July, MNUFC clinched a 3-1 win over the Whitecaps.

Real Salt Lake (11/11/11) vs. Portland Timbers FC (9/11/13)

• When: Sunday 9 October
• time: 5:00 p.m. ET
• Where: America First Field (Sandy, UT)
• Channel: ESPN2
• Electricity: FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Sling

The Timbers hold the highest card of the four clubs looking to make it into the postseason. With 46 points, Portland sits sixth in the Western Conference, two ahead of Real Salt Lake and three ahead of the Whitecaps. They were unbeaten in five games last week by Los Angeles FC, winners of the Supporter’s Shield. However, Portland has a chance to move up to fourth on Sunday as they are just a point behind LA Galaxy and Nashville SC.

With Minnesota having more wins than Salt Lake, MNUFC would win the tiebreak if Real drew while Minny lost. So, like the Whitecaps, Salt Lake needs three points to advance to the playoffs. They’ve done themselves no favors as they’re without a win in their last five games, with their most recent win ironically coming on August 31 against Minnesota.

Those two sides met at Providence Park in late April, with the Timbers and Salt Lake both scoreless.

CLINCH SCENARIOS:

• RSL: defeat Portland
• POR: Win or draw against Salt Lake
• MINIMUM: Win or draw against Vancouver
• DELIVERY TRUCKS: Win over Minnesota

OTHER GAMES

Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Inter Miami vs Montreal CF (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Atlanta United vs. New York City FC (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Chicago Fire FC vs. New England Revolution (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

New York Red Bulls vs. Charlotte FC (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Austin FC vs. Colorado Rapids (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Los Angeles FC vs. Nashville SC (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

• Check out the MLS Football TV and ESPN+

View the MLS tables and results here