Nashville SC

Look at the MLS playoff field long enough and you can make a case that all 16 teams have what it takes to be contenders -- or that they're pretenders.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was presented with his Major League Soccer Golden Boot award by commissioner Don Garber during a brief, on-field ceremony before his team's 3-1 victory over Nashville SC in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.

Now that the Wild Card games are over with, the MLS postseason moves into the best-of-three Round 1. Who will move on? ESPN makes its predictions.

The regular season is in the rearview mirror and the playoffs are upon us, so which postseason contenders are best placed for a run to MLS Cup?

Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens debate if MLS is "too easy" for Lionel Messi after his hat trick against Nashville.

Lionel Messi scored his second career MLS hat trick, propelling Inter Miami to a 5-2 win over Nashville SC on Saturday night.

After clinching the Supporters' Shield, there can be no question who's on top of ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: the Philadelphia Union.

Sam Surridge scored on a header in the 81st minute for his 23rd goal this season as Nashville played Montreal to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.