Team narratives combine with some outstanding individual performances as the 2026 Major League Soccer season approaches crunch time for playoff qualification.

By James Nalton

There was an obligatory Lionel Messi golazo and yet another top performance from the league’s outstanding young player in a full fixture list on Matchday 26.

All 30 teams were involved, but the headline act is becoming increasingly familiar…

Ryan Richter’s Philadelphia Union, starring Cavan Sullivan

It feels like we have mentioned Cavan Sullivan every week since the 2026 MLS season returned to action following the World Cup.

That might be because we have, and that’s because his performances cannot be ignored.

He scored two more goals as Philadelphia Union continued an impressive run of form that now sees them on a ten-game unbeaten run that features eight wins and two draws.

Sullivan now has a goal contribution in each of his last five games, including five goals, and his brace in a statement 5-0 win on the other side of the country against San Diego FC was another indication of his and his team’s improvement.

His first was a classy flick into the far corner with the inside of his boot, and the second a confident left-footed finish across goal.

Though Sullivan understandably takes the headlines, the work of interim head coach Ryan Richter deserves plenty of praise.

The former Union academy coach has overseen this improvement in the young star, and guided his team to a rise up the table since being appointed just before the World Cup break.

They are now finally playing like the defending Supporters’ Shield winners.

Another Messi golazo not enough for Miami

The top-of-the-table clash between Inter Miami and Nashville ended in a draw thanks to an added-time equaliser from English striker Sam Surridge.

Surridge gave the visitors the lead early on before an own goal from Reed Baker-Whiting levelled it up.

Messi then scored a routine golazo following a setup from Rodrigo De Paul, curling left-footed from outside the box. The type of finish he has made look easier than a penalty kick over the years.

Inter Miami looked like they would take a 3-1 lead, but a chance for Messi somehow only hit the post from six yards.

Surridge then scored the vital goal, lurking at the far post to tap in after Shak Mohammed’s shot rebounded off goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

The draw is better for Nashville than it is for Miami, as it keeps them nine points ahead of their Eastern Conference rivals, and now eight clear of Vancouver Whitecaps, who lost to Austin FC, in the overall Supporters’ Shield standings.

Orlando turn on the style

While Inter Miami struggle to pick up wins, with just one in their last eight, MLS’s other Florida team won their third in a row.

Orlando City have scored three goals in three of their last four games, and turned on the style again to see off Toronto FC 3-0 at home.

Antoine Griezmann was on the scoresheet again, making it seven goals in his last five matches, but the goals from Florida-born attacking midfielder Harvey Sarajian and a late icing on the cake from Iván Angulo really emphasised how good things have been for Orlando in recent weeks.

It was also another good performance from American teenager Justin Ellis, who had to settle for a place on the bench for this game, but came on to assist Angulo’s goal. 

The 19-year-old now has four assists in four games, and is one to keep an eye out for as the season progresses.

FC Dallas 

Croatian striker Petar Musa regularly defines much of what FC Dallas do, and he has been regularly involved with goals and assists during the team’s impressive performances of late.

This weekend’s game, though, was notable in that the World Cup striker didn’t start, and the Texans still managed to get the win against Portland.

American forward Logan Farrington opened the scoring before Musa entered the fray late on to assist Joaquín Valiente.

Dallas are now third in the Western Conference, and have every chance of reaching the top of the pile on their side of the league, should they maintain this form.

St. Louis deservedly overtake LAFC

Los Angeles FC were supposed to be doing in the Western Conference what Inter Miami are supposed to be doing in the East.

The season isn’t quite panning out as either team hoped, but for LAFC in particular, it has been a disappointing campaign, especially in recent weeks.

The Californian side have just one win in eight games, and this weekend suffered a notable 3-1 loss to the team rooted to the bottom of the overall MLS standings, Sporting KC.

This upset by SKC helped their rivals down the I-70 to the east, St. Louis City, turn a run of good form into a rise up the table, overtaking LAFC and now looking to catch teams like FC Dallas and Vancouver further up.

St. Louis were impressive in their win against Minnesota United, winning 4-2 despite going behind early on, with striker Rafael Navarro putting in one of the week’s best performances, up there with the likes of Angulo and Sullivan.

The Missourians’ turnaround in 2026 is just as notable as Philadelphia Union’s. 

Their 16-game unbeaten run also includes progress in the US Open Cup, the competition in which they will play their semifinal against Colorado Rapids this week. So there is already a trophy on the horizon.

Prior to this streak, they had won just once in ten league games, showing once again how 2026 has very much been a season of two halves for some of these MLS teams.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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