Red Bulls Aim to Clinch Playoffs and Make Postseason History on Decision Day
The New York Red Bulls have kept their Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs hopes alive with three wins in their last four games and with a win on Decision Day 2023 against Nashville SC, they could clinch an MLS-record 14th consecutive playoff berth.
The Red Bulls’ current streak of 13 consecutive postseason berths is tied with Seattle Sounders FC for the longest streak in MLS history and is the longest active streak among North American men’s professional sports, with the Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers (11 consecutive postseasons) following behind. Since the inaugural 1996 MLS regular season, the Red Bulls have made the playoffs in 23 of 28 seasons and lead all MLS clubs in postseason appearances.
With recent momentum on their side, the Red Bulls will travel to Nashville on Saturday, Oct. 21 (6 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) where their postseason future will come to light Decision Day.
The most consecutive Audi MLS Cup playoff appearances in MLS history:
FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City Looking for 20th Postseason Appearance
Two of the original MLS clubs will both stake their claims for the final Western Conference playoff spots on Decision Day as FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City sit separated by just two points entering the final matchday of the season. Both sides have 19 playoff appearances in their storied histories and look to join the New York Red Bulls (23) and LA Galaxy (20) as the only other MLS clubs to reach 20 or more postseasons in league history.
Dallas has been teetering on an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot all season and most recently found themselves out of the playoff picture on September 17. However, the Texas side has gone unbeaten in their last eight matches, albeit with eight draws, to sit above the playoff line.
Meanwhile, Kansas City only found themselves in a playoff position briefly from July 8-12 as they have been chasing a postseason berth from behind for most of the 2023 season. Each side will be looking for a victory on Decision Day (9 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) as they look to earn berths in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The most playoff appearances by a club in MLS history:
FC Cincinnati Faces One Last Shot at Home Points Record
After winning their first-ever Supporters’ Shield, FC Cincinnati return to TQL Stadium for one final time during their record-setting 2023 regular season with another shot at history on Decision Day. The Orange and Blue will host Atlanta United on Saturday (6 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) with the opportunity to join the 2018 New York Red Bulls as the only teams to take 43 points at home in a season.
Not only would a win equal the 2018 Red Bulls for the most home points in a season, but they would also match the same Red Bulls team for the third-most total points (71) in league history. Overall, only three teams in MLS history have produced at least 70 points in a single season. Cincinnati will look to punctuate their 2023 season in front of their home fans with another notable milestone.
The most points at home in a single season in MLS history:
St. Louis Looking for One Final Regular Season Milestone
The final regular-season match of St. Louis CITY SC’s inaugural season will see them host Seattle Sounders FC on Decision Day at CITYPARK (9 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass). Sitting atop the Western Conference with a 17-11-5 record and having hit many expansion club milestones already in 2023, St. Louis has one more in their sights on the last day of the season.
With a victory against Seattle, St. Louis would pass LAFC (57 in 2018) for the most points by an expansion club in their inaugural season in league history. The club already owns the most wins by an expansion club in their debut (excluding the shootout era) and became the first expansion team to top their conference in their first season, but the top points mark remains in play. To do so, St. Louis will have to become the first team to hand Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer (5-0-2) his first-ever Decision Day defeat.
The most points by an expansion club in their inaugural season in MLS history:
Sporting Kansas City Turnaround Highlights Decision Day Magic
One of the most sensational comeback stories of the 2023 regular season has been Sporting Kansas City, who have a chance to qualify for the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs on Decision Day. Kansas City opened the season winless in their first 10 matches, going 0-7-3 with just three goals scored. However, from May 7 on, the club has flipped the script with an 11-7-5 record and put themselves directly in the hunt for the postseason.
In league history, only three teams have had a 10-game winless streak during a season and still made the playoffs; however, no team has had that winless stretch at the beginning of the year. Head coach Peter Vermes has accomplished this feat before, though, overcoming a 10-game winless run in 2011 before rattling off an impressive 12-3-8 record to earn the top spot in the conference.
Kansas City can clinch a playoff spot by defeating Minnesota United FC accompanied by a loss or draw by one of FC Dallas, the Portland Timbers, or San Jose Earthquakes on Decision Day. NYCFC also has an opportunity to overcome their own lengthy winless streak by winning and getting some help on Decision Day.
The MLS teams with a 10+ game single-season winless streak to still make postseason:
