MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day 2026 will settle the league’s remaining postseason field and individual awards, with Atlanta United 2 striker Arif Kovac carrying a one-goal Golden Boot lead into Sunday’s visit to Orlando City B. Kovac has 19 goals, while Chattanooga FC striker Alex Krehl enters the finale with 18. Eight postseason spots are available as the league reaches its season finale.
Eastern Conference matches are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Western Conference matches at 5 p.m. ET. All matches will stream on MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball. The schedule puts the Golden Boot, Playmaker of the Year and playoff races in focus on the final day.
Arif Kovac takes Golden Boot lead into Orlando City B match
Kovac leads the Golden Boot race with 19 goals for Atlanta United 2. The 20-year-old striker scored five goals in Matchweek 11, when Atlanta United 2 defeated Huntsville City FC 6-2. He also scored twice in his last match against Orlando City B.
Atlanta United 2 is scheduled to visit Orlando City B on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. Both teams are fighting to extend their seasons, according to MLS NEXT Pro. The matchup gives Kovac one final opportunity to add to his league-leading total while the clubs compete for postseason positioning.
Alex Krehl remains one goal behind
Krehl enters Decision Day with 18 goals for Chattanooga FC. The 23-year-old striker has already recorded the highest single-season goal tally in Chattanooga FC history. He has scored seven goals in his last seven matches.
Chattanooga FC is scheduled to visit Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. Krehl’s recent run includes a hat trick in Chattanooga FC’s Matchweek 26 victory over Carolina Core FC. Five players are tied for third in the Golden Boot race with 13 goals.
Playmaker of the Year race also reaches finale
Columbus Crew 2 players Kevin Gbamblé and Cameron Dunbar are tied for the Playmaker of the Year lead with 11 assists. Crown Legacy FC’s Nathan Richmond is next with 10 assists. Chattanooga FC’s Tate Robertson and St Louis CITY2’s Riley Lynch have nine assists each.
Ventura County FC’s Julian Placias and Tacoma Defiance’s Charlie Gaffney enter the finale with eight assists apiece. The totals leave the top of the award race separated by one assist. Decision Day will determine whether the leaders hold their advantage.
Eastern Conference playoff race remains unsettled
In the Eastern Conference, the top four teams have secured playoff status, while seven teams are competing for the final five spots. The battle for eighth and ninth place will produce a play-in game. CT United FC is seeking to become the first independent club to make the playoffs in its inaugural season.
Orlando City B and Atlanta United 2 are scheduled to play Sunday. Philadelphia Union II and New York City FC II are also scheduled to meet. The available source does not provide a complete standings table or individual qualification scenarios for the remaining Eastern Conference teams.
Western Conference playoff places and clean-sheet record at stake
Four teams are competing for three Western Conference playoff spots. San Jose Earthquakes II are currently outside the playoff places, while Minnesota United FC 2 occupy seventh place. North Texas SC and Tacoma Defiance hold play-in-round positions.
Portland Timbers2 goalkeeper Sam Joseph has 12 clean sheets this season, tying Damian Las’ 2023 regular-season record with Austin FC II. Portland Timbers2 is scheduled to visit Tacoma Defiance on Decision Day. Joseph recorded clean sheets in both of Timbers2’s victories over Tacoma Defiance this season.
How to watch MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day
Eastern Conference matches are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET, including Atlanta United 2 at Orlando City B and Chattanooga FC at Chicago Fire FC II. Western Conference matches are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET. All matches will stream on MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball.
FSB Take
Atlanta United 2’s visit to Orlando City B combines the league’s leading scorer with a matchup that carries postseason significance for both teams. Kovac leads Krehl by one goal, making every scoring chance relevant to the Golden Boot race. The result will also help shape the Eastern Conference field as MLS NEXT Pro completes its 2026 season.
The finale also features a tight Playmaker of the Year race and a potential record-setting performance from Sam Joseph. Fans can follow the Atlanta United 2-Orlando City B and Chattanooga FC-Chicago Fire FC II matches at 2 p.m. ET before the Western Conference schedule begins at 5 p.m. ET.
Source: Original report