On a potentially historic Nashville SC season, how the squad was built and what's next:

“What we’ve learned is to take time to reflect and appreciate how special this is," Mike Jacobs said. "This is a tremendous mile marker but it is not the finish line.”
nytimes.com/athletic/77254…

Should Alexander Isak have appealed more for a penalty after his shirt was pulled by Jurrien Timber—or does that send the wrong message to players?

@GeoffShreeves and @tombogert debate after a controversial incident in Liverpool vs. Arsenal 🗣️

“The Western Conference playoff race is the one thing to watch on Saturday.” 👀

@tombogert shares the biggest storylines heading into the final matches of the MLS regular season 📺

RT @CrewFanCouncil: “One of the most uplifting stories of the season.” - Tom Bogert

Signs of life for Chicago, the East is sorted & the West goes to Thunderdome | Matchday 34

It's our final Sunday night column of the year! Thanks all for reading along, and let's all get plenty of rest before Decision Day goes nuts on all of us.

tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/signs-of-life-…

The Verdict: The penultimate matchday in MLS is done... here's what we're set up for on Decision Day to close the season

- 6 teams vying for 3 playoff spots out West
- All 9 postseason spots clinched in East
- Nashville chase points record
nytimes.com/athletic/77463…

Nashville played 17 regular season matches at home

15 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses. Invincible home record.

MLS Cup runs through GEODIS Park as long as Nashville are alive.

With their comeback 3-2 win over Red Bull New York, Nashville SC has tied the record most single-season points in MLS history with 74 (Inter Miami, 2024)

Nashville head to FC Cincinnati next week needing a point to set a new record

Nashville SC are inevitable. What a team.

Columbus Crew have won 5 straight (and 7 of their last 8) to effectively clinch a playoff spot.

Wild run. Really fun story with a massive midseason transformation with a number of key signings + Laurent Courtois completely turning season around as interim head coach

Allan Saint-Maximin receives a red card for grabbing his crotch at an opponent

Charlotte FC has one game left before the playoffs... TBD on any suspension (or appeal?)

Allan Saint-Maximin has been very good for Charlotte since arriving this summer
nytimes.com/athletic/77422…

🇧🇷🇺🇸 FC Dallas & U.S. youth international defender Joshua Torquato was called into Brazil's U-20 squad (!)

TBD if he indeed goes to Brazil camp or stays with USYNT this fall but big recognition.

Torquato, 19, still waiting for chance to breakthrough w/ FC Dallas first team

Highest avg goals per game in global soccer

1. MLS, 3.25 🇺🇸🇨🇦
2. Bundesliga, 3.24 🇩🇪
3. Saudi, 3.01 🇸🇦
4. Liga MX, 2.86 🇲🇽
5. Ligue 1, 2.82 🇫🇷
6. Premier League, 2.75 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
7. LaLiga, 2.69 🇪🇸
8. Primeira Liga, 2.68 🇵🇹
9. Brasileiro Serie A, 2.66 🇧🇷
10. Turkish Super Lig, 2.65 🇹🇷

*MLS, South American leagues based on 2026 season... European and Liga MX on full 2025-26 season
**Notable leagues, not every single one in the world

Something of a return to long-form writing for me, and something I’m really excited to share:

Some words on the Milan Iloski’s immaculate goal scoring form, featuring words from @tombogert

My latest for @phlsoccernow

philadelphiasoccernow.com/2026/10/29/val…

Carles Gil becomes the 8th player in MLS history to reach 100 assists in regular season play

1. Landon Donovan, 136
2. Steve Ralston, 135
3. Brad Davis, 123
4. Carlos Valderrama, 114
5. Preki, 112
6. Jaime Moreno, 102
7. Marco Etcheverry, 101
8. CARLES GIL, 100

Legend.

🇫🇷 Antoine Griezmann for Orlando City in MLS

⚽️ 14 goals
🅰️ 8 assists
⏱️ 16 games (1420 min)

Update: I’m told Haiti is in charge of ticketing/prices for this match, per a Concacaf spokesperson.

Ridiculous pricing to supporters group

Two USL League One clubs — Westchester SC and Corpus Christi FC — have folded, sources tell @Backheeled.

@league1updater had detail earlier this week.

10 different USL clubs have now either folded or gone on hiatus since 2023.

More ⤵️
backheeled.com/sources-usl-le…

On Nashville SC’s roster build striving for “sustained success” … but knowing when to cash your chips all in for the chance at trophies

📝 nytimes.com/athletic/77254…