Griezmann Ignites Orlando While Real Salt Lake Keeps Sliding

With most of the 2026 MLS season already past, the race for playoff spots is getting tighter. Orlando City has seen a remarkable improvement: with 34 points (10 wins, 11 losses, 4 draws) and 13 points earned in the last five matches, the team is close to the home playoff zone, only six points behind Charlotte FC. The recent achievements are also attributed to Antoine Griezmann, who has scored 8 goals and provided 3 assists in his first 10 appearances since arriving from Atlético Madrid, and to the space he creates for the attack; 19-year-old homegrown striker Justin Ellis has also stood out, with one assist in the last four matches and 10 in total this season. Besides the attacking improvement, Orlando has noticeably tightened its defense: after the first 15 matches in which they conceded an average of 2.87 goals per game, in the last 10 matches they allowed an average of one goal per game.

As reported by mlssoccer, Real Salt Lake has declined sharply since the World Cup break: after 14 matches they had 26 points and sat third in the West, but now they are in 11th position with 29 points after two losses to New York City FC and Houston Dynamo. The sale of Zavier Gozo to Crystal Palace for around $15 million and Diego Luna’s knee injury, which will keep him out for several months, have deepened the team’s difficulties. Meanwhile the San Jose Earthquakes, under Bruce Arena, bounced back with two wins (3-2 in San Diego and 1-0 against Houston) and are now fourth with 41 points, thanks also to switching to a three-defender formation that gave them defensive stability; they are two points behind second place and one point ahead of LAFC. Inter Miami, meanwhile, risks losing some ground for the top spots in the East: with 45 points and only three wins in the last 10 matches since the World Cup, the team needs to pick up the pace to hold second position.

There are several names clearly influencing the outcome of recent weeks. Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union’s 16-year-old, scored two goals and provided four assists in the last two wins and has accumulated significant contributions (5 goals and 7 assists in the last seven matches), pushing Union up in the Eastern Conference. Goalkeeper Matt Turner is keeping New England in the race for the top spots in the East, with 10 decisive saves in the last two matches. Rafael Navarro made an immediate impression with St. Louis CITY SC, scoring two goals in each of his first two starts and helping the team maintain a 15-match unbeaten run, while St. Louis stands level on points with San Jose in the battle for the playoff spots.

Three storylines to follow in the near future: a tight race for ninth place in the West — where currently around six teams are within two points of each other, with San Diego on top with 30 points and Seattle with 28; the battle for home playoff spots in the West, where Houston holds second position with 43 points, while LAFC with 40 could bounce back quickly thanks to the squad’s talent; and the rise of Philadelphia and Orlando in the East, both still about six to seven points behind Charlotte, but with momentum to climb the standings if they keep the pace.

In summary, recent changes in key formations and the performances of several individuals are redefining the playoff race — according to mlssoccer, the battles for home spots and the last qualifying places are expected to be fierce until the end of the season.