Twenty-four matchdays into the 2025 MLS season, and we have a pretty good idea of where most clubs stand as far as their overall quality and trophy prospects.
That means we have a good idea of who the league's elite really are – the clubs who will be in the mix for the Supporters' Shield and be the odds-on favorites come playoff time. With the stretch run of the season looming, here's how I'd break down the current frontrunners for the league's regular-season title:
Philadelphia Union
13W-5L-4D record, 43 points
I was among those who figured that the Philly Union were probably due for a step back this year as they moved on from the Jim Curtin era and into the Bradley Carnell one. That has not been the case. For whatever led to his unceremonious exit in St. Louis, Carnell has the Union looking like a freight train, much like the 2022 side that put up a +48 GD and came within a Gareth Bale miracle goal of winning MLS Cup at LAFC.
San Diego FC
13W-6L-3D record, 42 points
Any expansion side this successful is going to draw Fraud Watch allegations, but what San Diego is doing this season is not a 2023 St. Louis CITY magic carpet ride situation. They've been one of the best teams in the league all year, the underlying numbers all back it up, and they have an MVP candidate in Anders Dreyer. Whether they make a play for the Shield or not, this is already the most impressive expansion season I've ever seen from an MLS club, at least relative to the preseason expectations.
Minnesota United
11W-4L-7D record, 40 points
The Loons have the best young coach in the league in Eric Ramsay, who has them scoring set pieces at a rate that feels unprecedented. They also employ some of the most interesting anti-possession tactics in the league, making them a pretty fun team to watch. For a while, I thought they might get figured out, but it looks like Ramsay might have just found a formula that really works in MLS. Loons fans should enjoy him while they can; he doesn't seem long for MLS.
Columbus Crew
11W-3L-8D, 41 points
We saw when Columbus came to Seattle a couple of weeks ago that this Crew unit is still a force to be reckoned with in the East. They're in fourth right now, but this team can rack up goals with the best of them. They had their struggles in May, but I have no trouble seeing them make a late push given they're just two points off Philly's pace.
Inter Miami
11W-3L-5D record, 38 points
Lionel Messi has scored a brace in five straight games, which is a league record, and not something that should be possible. He's going to win MVP again, and he's probably in the best form right at this moment than he's been his whole time in MLS. With Messi this hot, I don't think the rest of the Herons would need to do anything all that special for them to make a run at their second-straight Shield. The question for them will be if they can parlay it into a run at MLS Cup – a trophy that Messi famously has yet to win.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Wednesday, July 16 vs. Colorado Rapids | 7 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
- Sticky and stressful: Sounders strike early, hold on late
- Postgame Pontifications: Flawed but effective
- Sporting KC vs. Sounders: Highlights, stats, quotes
- FIFA has led us all into deeper waters through Club World Cup
- Lobbing Scorchers Kickoff: Does Jordan Morris unlock Sounders' attack?
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Reign
Next league match: Friday, August 1 vs. Angel City FC | 7:30 pm PT | Prime Video
Defiance
Next match: Thursday, July 17 vs. Real Monarchs | 7 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
- Inter Miami's foundation, Columbus Crew's comeback & more from Matchday 24 (MLSSoccer)
- Using Goals Added Subcategories for Player Evaluation (American Soccer Analysis)
- What We're Watching in the Second Half of the USL Championship Season (USL Championship)
- World Cup 2026 to use covered stadiums after heat issues - FIFA chief (ESPN)
- Fishlock needs 'a little think' before deciding on Wales future (BBC)
- Donald Trump keeps FIFA Club World Cup trophy for himself (Hudson River Blue)
- Club World Cup averages 39,570 fans (Soccer America)
- Did the Club World Cup matter? Empty seats and hot days offer warnings on FIFA's challenges ahead of 2026 (CBS Sports)
- What We Learned: Jordan Morris return gives Sounders a boost (MLSsoccer)
