And so, with the conclusion of Decision Day, Major League soccer’s 30th regular season is in the books.Let’s do our usual thing: In place of my typical Sunday night column, following Decision day we look at where everybody stands heading into the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. As usual, these teams are mostly in the order of what I think is their likelihood of winning, but what really matters is the tier designation.

For teams that didn’t make the postseason, post-mortems have been trickling out over the past 10 days, with another big batch coming later this week. But here and now, into the playoffs we go…

Last year, heading into the postseason, Miami had just won the Supporters’ Shield and set a league record with 74 points while rocking a +30 goal differential. Elite across the board… provided that you didn’t look too close.

For those who did look closely (including me! I’m so smart), it became obvious that last year’s success was at least somewhat smoke and mirrors, as their underlying numbers were middling (+0.8 xG differential for the entire season).That made them feel ripe for an upset, and as it turns out…

This year, of course, has been different. “Yeah, they haven’t won a trophy!” you cackle, as you are not a Miami fan and have delighted in the way they fell on their faces against the Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semis, and the Sounders in the Leagues cup final, and against Chicago with their Shield hopes on the line. And I don’t blame you! The league needs bad guys.I can’t imagine rooting for this team if you’re not a Miami fan.

But also,Miami did make it to the CCC semis and did make it to the Leagues Cup final,and did hang in the Shield race until almost the very end despite playing all those extra games.They also made it to the FIFA Club World Cup knockouts, they’ve got Leo Messi and Luis Suárez, and ther’s the motivation of trying to send out retiring legends Sergio Busquets and jordi Alba on a high note.Most iThose numbers, as shown on the graphic, are from before Decision Day, so it’s not finalized data. But still, you can see this team has just rocked playoff-caliber opponents, with most of that coming before Thomas Müller arrived to turbo-charge the attack.

Until playing 10-v-11 on Decision Day,they hadn’t lost in two-and-a-half months.They will absolutely be out for revenge against Dallas.

My Worry: Will the central defense hold up?

That is my only concern with this team, one that only grew after Mathias Laborda’s red card on Saturday. I am so wholly bought in on everything else about the ‘Caps, but going into the playoffs with your sixth and seventh-choice CBs? yikes.You can see who’s neck-and-neck with Vancouver in the underlying numbers race, and that applies against both playoff teams and non-playoff teams. That’s a change from recent seasons, as LAFC were often mostly flat-track bullies who usually struggled when they tried to pick on someone their own size.Not the case this year. Even before adding Son Heung-Min, they were better against good teams in 2025. The best of those results was a pretty amazing 2-1 win over Club América in what was essentially a final to qualify for the Club World Cup.You could argue it’s one of the biggest wins any MLS team has ever registered.

And now,with Son and Denis Bouanga… man,nobody wants to have to stop that.

My Worry: They’ve been much better about using the ball to create chances this year, which means they can change it up in the playoffs a little bit. But head coach Steve Cherundolo still seems to prefer functional ball movers to true creativity in those spots, which can make them a little predictable and one-note. More so than any of the other teams in this tier.

Since Son arrived, they haven’t exactly faced murderers’ row. we don’t

they were awesome in the Club World Cup despite losing all three games to Botafogo (the Copa Libertadores champs), PSG (the UEFA Champions League Champs) and Atlético Madrid (Atlético freaking Madrid). they spun the confidence generated by those performances against three of the ~15 best teams in the world into a two-month blitz in which they went 10W-1L-4D across all competitions, culminating with a dominant 3-0 win over Miami in the Leagues Cup final. Their goal differential over those 15 games was +24.

That stretch is the best I’ve seen an MLS team play this year. Period. And they were doing it while constantly on short rest, and constantly having to rotate their squad due to injuries and absences. Remember: In that final they played without their DP 9 (and their backup 9, who happens to be their leading goalscorer) and DP 10, as well as their starting left back.

And they buried the Herons.

They’re in this tier as we’ve seen them do it against the best.

My Worry: They were also without their starting ‘keeper in Leagues Cup, which was by choice. I think there’s a pretty good case to keep making that choice, but I am close to certain that Brian Schmetzer will stick with Stefan Frei in goal over Andrew Thomas.

Three other personnel concerns:

1. Pedro de la Vega was the ceiling-raiser,but after the way he went down against New York City FC on Decision Day,I’m worried we won’t see him again until this time next year.
2. my friends at SounderAtHeart are convinced Jordan Morris should start. I am not, even after his strong showing (and necessary goal) in New York.
3. Cristian Roldan is approaching 4,000 all-competition minutes this year for club and country, and hasn’t really looked the same as the Leagues Cup semis (he has been a quarter-step slow). It was smart to rest him and Obed Vargas this weekend.

San Diego FC: A Tactical Deep Dive and Areas of Concern

San Diego FC’s approach prioritizes staying on the ball and avoiding physical duels. While capable of winning those battles – San Diego is actually quite good in that area – they prefer to dictate the game through possession.

Their ideal game unfolds with patient build-up play in midfield, drawing opponents forward, and then exploiting space with swift releases to their dynamic wingers, Anders Dreyer and Chucky Lozano (when fit). This strategy has yielded impressive victories against Seattle, Vancouver, Nashville, and even LAFC – twice. When executing flawlessly,they are a truly excellent team.

However, a recent dip in form is cause for concern. Since July, San Diego has a record of 8 wins, 6 losses, and 3 draws across all competitions, with a +7 goal differential. Their expected goals were even negative until a dominant performance against the Timbers.

This downturn can be attributed to several factors. As an expansion team, they lack the depth of more established clubs. the departure of milan Iloski at the striker position has also left a void, raising questions about what might have been had a different decision been made. Crucially, opponents have now had time to study and adapt to San Diego’s tactics, diminishing the initial element of surprise.

Despite these challenges, San Diego boasts important attacking firepower. Players like Evander, Kévin Denkey, and Brenner – potentially alongside Luca Orellano – possess the individual quality to win games against any opponent. They also have a Designated Player-caliber defensive midfielder (when healthy), a proven match-winner in goal, and have invested heavily in their center-back options.

On paper, san Diego FC possesses all the ingredients for a dominant club.

When they’re in full flow, this team’s still able to get on the ball, control the game and create chances against anybody. They effectively force you to play the contest on their terms, and over the past several years, we’ve seen them repeatedly do this in big games not just against the best in MLS, but against the best in the region.

let them do it to you, and there’s a good chance you’re going home.

Sean Zawadzki is back on the field looking healthy, and they’ve got the added incentive of sending the legendary Darlington Nagbe out on a high note.they looked really, really good in the final couple of games of the season.

My Worry: patrick Schulte is slumping, the center backs aren’t great at defending in their own box, and their game model has been brittle this year – as in, easier to disrupt, and then once it’s disrupted the whole thing falls apart and you’re making them play on your terms – in a way it hadn’t been the prior two.

Diego Rossi is less than 100%, Wessam Abou Ali is highly likely done until 2026, and Dániel Gazdag… that was a very nice bounce-back against the Red Bulls. Is there more to come? I’m not convinced.

Hard to win when there are so many questions around your DP attackers.

Like Philly, Columbus and San Diego, Minnesota have an unusual game model that you can’t quite prepare for in training: they get sub-40% possession, tilt the field less than anyone, and turn every throw-in or free kick in the attacking half into a “get ‘er into the mixer!” situation.

They also have a match-winning goalkeeper. Dayne St. Clair will likely win Goalkeeper of the Year, and if he gets hot over the next month, he can win a game… or two… or three… or four. All on his own.

My Worry: St

Any team with an excellent central defense (check), an excellent goalkeeper (check) and a couple of match-winners up top (uhhh… that was a “check” until the final minutes against Philly; more on that below) can get hot and go on an extended winning streak. Under the right conditions,that streak could even hit something like,say,nine games. Which is a whole hell of a lot!

Obviously, we have seen Charlotte do this. They are murder on the break and very good on set pieces, and generally don’t give up cheap goals. It’s the recipe for a high floor.

My Worry: And yet they’re actually under water on expected goal differential on the season, and even had a negative xGD during that nine-game streak.

So, how did it happen? Kristijan Kahlina.he was, even by his own high standards, abso-freakinglutely amazing during those couple of months.

It also happened because the schedule was kind of soft – lots of home games against lots of non-playoff teams. That’s obviously not going to happen over the next couple of months.

And now they’ll be down to one match-winner for part of the playoffs with Wilfried Zaha suspended for their Round One opener against NYCFC (what a way to let the team down with a petulant red) and Pep Biel still hurt. They’re not precisely limping into the playoffs, but they’re not precisely flying, either.

They’ve been one of the more fun and open attacking teams in MLS this season,capable of turning any game into the sort of up-and-down affair that can,in theory,suck even the most disciplined teams in.

I’m not sure anybody in the league is as good at creating simultaneous attacking width and depth. You have to be ready to account for everything when facing this team.

My Worry: They played 21 games against playoff teams this year, across all competitions. They won just seven of them. It’s been better down the stretch with win

“`html

Potential for Facebook’s Metaverse Investment in 2025

In late 2023 and early 2024, Meta (formerly Facebook) substantially scaled back its metaverse ambitions, leading to substantial financial losses and workforce reductions within its Reality Labs division. Though, the company continues to invest in virtual and augmented reality technologies. As of October 19, 2025, the potential for renewed or continued investment in the metaverse remains a complex topic, influenced by technological advancements, market adoption, and Meta’s overall financial performance.

Meta’s Metaverse Journey: A Recap

Meta’s initial foray into the metaverse,spearheaded by CEO Mark Zuckerberg,involved a massive investment in building Horizon Worlds and related hardware like the Quest VR headsets. The vision was to create a persistent, shared virtual world where users could work, play, and socialize. However, user adoption has been slower than anticipated, and the Reality Labs division has consistently reported billions of dollars in losses. The Verge reported significant losses in early 2024,prompting a reassessment of the metaverse strategy.

Current Investment Landscape (October 2025)

As of October 2025, Meta’s approach to the metaverse has shifted. While the company hasn’t abandoned the concept entirely, the focus has narrowed. Rather of building a single, all-encompassing metaverse, Meta is concentrating on:

• AI Integration: Meta is heavily investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and exploring how AI can enhance the metaverse experience, potentially creating more realistic avatars and immersive environments. Meta’s official AI page details these efforts.
• Augmented Reality (AR): AR, through devices like smart glasses, is seen as a more immediate and practical application of metaverse technologies. Meta continues advancement on AR hardware and software.
• Horizon Worlds Evolution: Horizon Worlds is being refined, with a focus on improving user experience and attracting creators.
• Strategic Partnerships: Meta is collaborating with other companies to develop metaverse-related technologies and applications.

Factors Influencing Future Investment

Several key factors will determine the extent of Meta’s metaverse investment in the coming years:

Technological Advancements

Breakthroughs in areas like VR/AR hardware, AI, and 5G connectivity are crucial. More affordable, agreeable, and powerful headsets, coupled with faster and more reliable internet access, will be essential for driving mass adoption. Gartner’s research on the metaverse highlights the importance of technological maturity.

Market Adoption

The success of the metaverse hinges on whether consumers and businesses find it valuable. Increased adoption of VR/AR applications in gaming, entertainment, education, and enterprise will signal a viable market.

Meta’s Financial Performance

Meta’s overall financial health will significantly influence its ability to invest in long-term projects like the metaverse. Strong performance in its core advertising business will provide the resources needed to fund continued development.

Competition

Competition from other tech giants, such as Apple, Microsoft, and Google, will also play a role. The success of competing metaverse platforms could either spur Meta to innovate further or lead to a more cautious approach.

Potential Scenarios for 2026 and Beyond

Based on the current trajectory,several scenarios are possible:

• Continued Moderate Investment: Meta continues to invest in the metaverse,but at a more measured pace,focusing on AI-powered AR experiences and strategic partnerships.
• Increased Investment with AI Focus: If AI breakthroughs significantly enhance the metaverse experience, Meta could increase investment, particularly in AI-related technologies.
• shift in Focus: If market adoption remains slow and competition intensifies, Meta could further shift its focus away from the metaverse and towards other areas, such as AI and social media.

Key Takeaways

• Meta has scaled back its initial ambitious metaverse plans due to slower-than-expected user adoption and significant financial losses.
• The company is now focusing on AI integration, augmented reality, and refining Horizon Worlds.
• Future investment will depend on technological advancements, market adoption, Meta’s financial performance, and competition.

The future of Meta’s metaverse investment remains uncertain. While the company hasn’t abandoned the concept, its approach has become more pragmatic and focused. The next few years will be critical in