Team of the Matchday: Columbus make playoff push, Charlotte join the party

What Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs pressure? These standout performers stepped up to make Matchday 33's Team of the Matchday presented by Audi.

Full team (3-4-3, left to right)

Starters: Patrick Schulte (CLB) - Anthony Markanich (MIN), Lucas Halter (HOU), Mathías Laborda (VAN) - Antoine Griezmann (ORL), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Santiago Rodríguez (CLB), Carles Gil (NE) - Kristoffer Velde (POR), Dor Turgeman (NE), Liel Abada (CLT)

Coach: Dean Smith (CLT)

Bench: Jonathan Bond (HOU), Maxwell Woledzi (NSH), Samuel Gidi (CIN), Jack Jasinski (SJ), Jonathan Bamba (CHI), David Da Costa (POR), Morgan Guilavogui (RSL), Josh Sargent (TOR), Idan Toklomati (CLT)

Team highlights

The Columbus Crew moved into an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot, with midfielder Santiago Rodríguez (1g/1a) and goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (seven saves) fueling a 2-0 win at Western Conference contender FC Dallas.

Charlotte FC earned a third straight playoff berth under head coach Dean Smith, powered by Liel Abada’s hat trick off the bench in a 4-0 rout of CF Montréal.

The New England Revolution strengthened their hold on the East’s No. 2 seed via a 3-2 win over Red Bull New York. Club legend Carles Gil (0g/1a) became the eighth MLS player to reach 100 regular-season assists, including the setup for striker Dor Turgeman's first of two goals.

Boosted by a 4-1 win over San Diego FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC moved closer to clinching the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed. Defender Mathías Laborda (0g/1a) made a vital goal-line clearance, and midfielder Ryan Gauld (1g/1a) added to his Comeback Player of the Year case.

Antoine Griezmann provided 1g/1a in Orlando City's 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire FC, marking the Newcomer of the Year candidate's 12th consecutive match with a goal contribution. The 2018 FIFA World Cup champion, who debuted in late July, has 14g/8a in 16 regular-season games.

Kristoffer Velde (2g/1a) helped keep the Portland Timbers' playoff hopes alive with a 3-2 win at St. Louis CITY SC. He's now at 20 goal contributions for the year (10g/10a). 

Houston Dynamo FC defender Lucas Halter scored his first MLS goal in a 1-0 win at Seattle Sounders FC, putting his side within striking distance of the West's No. 2 seed.

Rounding out the TotM, Minnesota United FC defender Anthony Markanich scored to reach nine goals for the second consecutive season and jump-start a 3-1 comeback victory over Sporting Kansas City.