Photo Kevin Barrett

Since most teams in the Eastern conference of MLS NEXT Pro have only two matches left in the regular season and those matches will determine their playoff seeding possibilities, it is time to publish a Union II “Max Points” chart.

A max points chart allows readers to discern for themselves the upper and lower limits of playoff seeding possibilities.

MLS NEXT Pro’s playoff structure includes higher seeds choosing their opponents rather than determining those opponents strictly by the numbers. The top seed may choose any one of the bottom four seeds. The second seed chooses among the remaining trio, and the third chooses between the remaining pair. The fourth seed’s opponent is predetermined by the prior decisions of the top three.

What the chart tells us 

1. Only Red Bull New York II are already guaranteed a home game by holding one of the top four places.
2. Only Philly II and New England II can overtake Red Bull for first place.
3. Chattanooga, Huntsville and Chicago II can still overtake Philly or New England for second and third.
4. Toronto II and Carolina cannot displace Chattanooga from sixth.
5. Atlanta 2, New York City II, Orlando B, and Cincinnati 2 can only overtake Toronto or Carolina for seventh or eight.

Range of possible place finishes

1. Red Bull New York II – 1^st through 4^th.
2. Philadelphia Union II – 1^st through 6^th
3. New England Revolution II – 1^st through 6^th.
4. Huntsville – 2^nd through 6^th.
5. Chicago II – 2^nd through 6^th.
6. *Chattanooga – 2^nd through 6^th.
7. Toronto II – no higher than 7th.
8. Carolina – no higher than 7th.
9. New York City II – no higher than 7th.
10. Orlando B – no higher than 7th.
11. *Atlanta 2 – no higher than 7th.
12. *Cincinnati 2 – no higher than 7th.

*These three teams have three games remaining not two.

Reading the chart onesself

The 12 teams not yet eliminated from playoff participation are listed in descending place order from 1st through 12th. “Pts Won” lists points already earned, the determinant of the current rank order.

“Remaining games” gives the day and date and the opponent for each remaining match. Days that are not weekends are “set off” visually when given the the fully populated column. It seemed better to identify Decision Day games as a separate column.

“Pts Avail” gives the upper limit of points available to be won in the future, that is to say, total games remaining multiplied by three. MLSNEXT Pro’s treatment of draws in regulation cannot produce more points than a win in regulation.

“Max Pts” is the upper limit of the possible points the particular team can win. That limit determines what teams a specific club may or may not still aspire to overtake. For example, Philadelphia Union II must win out and New York Red Bull II must drop four if Philly is to end in first place because Red Bull currently have 16 regulation wins and Philly has only 13 and can only get to 15. (See “Tiebreakers” below.)

Crown Legacy, Inter Miami II, and Columbus Crew 2 are not listed because they have already been eliminated from the playoff eligibility.

 MLSNEXT Pro Max Points, as of September 22^th , 2025 at 10:05 AM

Huntsville leads Chicago on goal difference.  Toronto leads Carolina on wins in regulation.

Tiebreakers

1. Total Number of Wins (in regulation);
2. Goal Differential;
3. Goals For;
4. Shootout Wins;
5. Away Goals Differential;
6. Away Goals For;
7. Home Goals Differential;
8. Home Goals For;
9. Fewest Disciplinary Points;
10. Coin Toss (tie of two Clubs) or Drawing of Lots (tie of three or more Clubs).