Lionel Messi Claims Back-to-Back MLS Golden Boot Awards
Lionel Messi secured his second consecutive MLS Golden Boot award on Saturday despite not scoring during Inter Miami's 3-3 draw with Charlotte on the final day of the regular season. The Argentine superstar finished the campaign with 26 goals, making him the first player in league history to capture back-to-back scoring titles. Although he failed to find the back of the net at Nu Stadium, Messi set up Miami's first two goals from corner kicks to help the defending champions secure second place in the Eastern Conference and home-field advantage for the opening two rounds of the playoffs.
Dallas forward Petar Musa finished second in the scoring race with 22 goals after his team's 3-1 victory over Colorado. Meanwhile, Inter Miami surrendered a three-goal advantage against Charlotte, as Ian Fray, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul scored first-half goals before a fierce second-half comeback from the visitors.
Charlotte Completes Dramatic Comeback Against Inter Miami
Inter Miami looked comfortable heading into halftime with a 3-0 lead following strikes from Fray, Suárez, and De Paul. However, Liel Abada turned the match around for Charlotte by scoring shortly after the break and adding a second goal in the 55th minute. The dramatic comeback was completed in the 90th minute when Rodolfo Aloko reacted quickest to score the equalizer after a shot by Smalls rebounded off the post.
A visibly frustrated Messi struck the woodwork during stoppage time, and Aloko nearly snatched an improbable victory with a thunderous shot into the side-netting moments later. Despite the draw, Inter Miami locked down the second spot in the East with 60 points, while third-place New England missed an opportunity to overtake them following a 1-0 surprise defeat at Orlando.
Nashville Sets New MLS Single-Season Points Record
While Miami stumbled at the finish line, Nashville made history on MLS Decision Day by breaking the single-season points record. Nashville earned a 2-0 victory over Cincinnati to finish the regular season with 77 points, surpassing the previous record of 74 points set by Miami in 2024. Nashville finished at the top of the Eastern Conference with 23 wins, three defeats, and eight draws.
Key highlights from Decision Day across the league include:
- Lionel Messi won his second consecutive MLS Golden Boot with 26 goals.
- Nashville broke the single-season points record, finishing with 77 points.
- Inter Miami drew 3-3 with Charlotte after squandering a 3-0 halftime lead.
- Vancouver defeated Montreal 2-0 to claim second place in the overall standings.
- Portland, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle secured the final Western Conference playoff berths.
Western Conference Playoff Race and Final Standings
In the West, Western Conference champions Vancouver defeated Canadian rivals Montreal 2-0 to finish second overall, securing potential home-field advantage for a possible rematch of last year's MLS Cup final against Inter Miami. Six teams entered Decision Day battling for the final three postseason spots in the Western Conference.
Portland advanced by defeating Austin 2-0, while Real Salt Lake claimed a playoff place with a 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy. Seattle rounded out the qualifiers by holding off LAFC for a 2-1 home win, thanks to an opening-minute goal by Albert Rusnák and an assist on Sebastián Gómez’s 31st-minute strike. Columbus secured the seventh seed in the East and avoided the wild-card round by defeating Chicago 4-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 MLS Golden Boot?
Lionel Messi won his second consecutive MLS Golden Boot award after scoring 26 goals during the regular season, becoming the first player in league history to win back-to-back scoring titles.
How many points did Nashville score to break the MLS record?
Nashville finished the regular season with 77 points after a 2-0 victory over Cincinnati, breaking the previous single-season record of 74 points set by Inter Miami in 2024.
Who scored Inter Miami's goals in the 3-3 draw against Charlotte?
Ian Fray, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul scored Inter Miami's first-half goals before Charlotte rallied with two goals from Liel Abada and a 90th-minute equalizer from Rodolfo Aloko.