5️⃣ of the most memorable MLS Decision Day moments | OneFootball

MLS Decision Day has given us some great moments over the years, and 2024 does not appear to be deviating from that excitement. Heading into the weekend we still have playoff seeding to be sorted out, the MVP race to be potentially won, oh and the small matter of Inter Miami potentially making MLS history.

But before we can focus on the drama ahead of us, let's look back at some of the most memorable MLS Decision Day moments from the past.

New York Red Bulls beat Orlando to win Supporters Shield

There have been some great games at Red Bull Arena over the years, but few are more memorable than when the Red Bulls wrapped up the Supporters Shield with a victory over Orlando City.

The shield race was still open heading into the final day of the season, as New York trailed Atlanta United by one point in the standings. While Atlanta was nearly untouchable all season, they went on to lose their Decision Day showdown with Toronto FC, while New York narrowly beat Orlando thanks to a Derrick Ettienne goal in the second half.

The victory sparked wild scenes of jubilation for fans and players alike.

Atlanta did go on to win MLS Cup that season, but the Red Bulls will forever cherish the scenes on Decision Day.

CF Montréal players and staff watch their own playoff elimination on tablets

Few Decision Day memories stick out quite like the wild scenes in 2023 when CF Montréal players and staff were forced to watch their own elimination on their pitch-side tablets.

The Canadian club went into the final match of the season needing help from elsewhere in the league to ensure their qualification for the playoffs, but that help did not come as a late New York Red Bulls penalty saw Montréal crash out. To make matters worse, Montréal had already finished their game, and some of the players and staff were filmed sitting and watching their season end on the team tablets.

It's always quite the feeling when the players and coaches are made to look just like the fans themselves, checking results and tuning into other games hoping things go their way.

Damir Kreilach sends Real Salt Lake to the playoffs with last gasp goal

Decision Day is always packed with drama, but some moments live in the psyche of a fanbase for generations. That's exactly what we got when Damir Kreilach struck in the fifth minute of added time against Sporting KC to send Real Salt Lake to the playoffs at the LA Galaxy's expense back in 2021.

The goal was great, the celebrations were even better. A true MLS moment to remember.

Carlos Vela breaks MLS single-season scoring record with Decision Day hat-trick

There is not much you can say about Carlos Vela that hasn't already been said. The LAFC legend has set record after record since landing in MLS, but through all of his great moments, one stands out.

On the final day of the 2019 season, Vela set the new all-time single-season scoring record in MLS, and needed to score a hat-trick in the final match of the season to do it.

Some things are written in the stars.

DaMarcus Beasley in tears after putting an end to legendary career

True American soccer fans will hail DaMarcus Beasley as one of the all-time greats. The full-back made over 500 professional appearances over a nearly two-decade career that took him to Europe and back on multiple occasions.

On Decision Day in 2019, the Houston Dynamo man finally hung up his boots and the scenes at the stadium were emotional, to say the least.

With tears in his eyes, Beasley made his way off the pitch for the final time, being stopped for a hug by his own teammates as well as the opposition. When you become the first American player to go to four World Cups, you deserve that kind of send-off.