Matchday 33 was one for the books in MLS, with 57 goals scored across 15 matches within five hours, tying a league record for most in a single matchday. Four players scored hat tricks, which was a first in league history.
With the dust settled, here are a few takeaways on where things stand with the season's stretch run in full swing.
Thomas Müller, Son Heung-Min look as advertised
The two splashiest incoming transfers of the summer are each settling in for their new clubs, and so far, two of Seattle's competitors in the West look to have been meaningfully strengthened.
The Vancouver Whitecaps absolutely destroyed an admittedly rotated but still Shield-leading Philadelphia Union side 7-0 at BC Place, and Müller was right in the middle of it. The German legend got his first MLS hat trick, and while two of those goals were penalties, he still very clearly had a force-multiplying effect on Vancouver's whole offense, which was already pretty good.
Ditto for new LAFC man Son Heung-Min, who scored one minute into a 4-2 rivalry victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. Son's got 2g/1a through his first five MLS matches, but the most encouraging thing for Steve Cherundolo has to be his developing chemistry with Denis Bouanga, who scored LAFC's other three goals in the matchup. It really had the look of a dynamic duo to be reckoned with.
If Seattle's going to make it to MLS Cup this year, these clubs feel like the biggest obstacles that'll be standing in their way in the West.
The latest Caleb Porter era did not end well
The New England Revolution made the league's latest head coaching change on Monday, announcing they've parted ways with Caleb Porter with four games left in their season.
It wasn't super shocking to see, considering the season the Revs have had after entering the 2025 campaign with what most (myself included) thought was a solid enough roster. Porter exits with New England in 11th place and an overall not-that-great track record in MLS aside from what turned out to be one-off MLS Cup runs with Portland and Columbus.
Whatever went wrong with the Revs, my main takeaway from this news is that between Porter and Peter Vermes, we've lost two of our best providers of content for our "Blazing Hot Coach Press Conference of the Week" segment.
Things are dire for Atlanta United
With Porter on the outs, Atlanta United's Ronny Deila might not be far behind him. The Five Stripes' season has long since gone off the rails, but their first-half meltdown against Columbus on Saturday was one for the books. I've never seen an MLS team give up five goals in the first 30 minutes of a home match, but that's exactly what Atlanta managed to do.
To be fair, they did show some fight and managed to very nearly complete what would have been an incredible comeback, and only ended up losing 5-4. But salvaging a little bit of dignity doesn't erase what a debacle of a start to the match that was.
I'll be curious to see how Atlanta handles this. On one hand, it would look pretty ridiculous to fire their new coach after just one year when the whole point of hiring him was to bring a floor and stability. On the other hand, the vibes have deteriorated to such an extent that I'm not sure Chris Henderson and Co. have a choice.
Minnesota United are doing a bit, but it works
San Diego FC have been one of the best teams in the league all season, but they became Minnesota United's latest victim, as the Loons rolled into SnapDragon Stadium and easily knocked off the Western Conference leaders, 3-1.
I've been saying all season that Minnesota's exaggerated anti-possession tactics and over-reliance on set pieces can't possibly be sustainable and that at some point they'll be exposed. At this point, I'm not sure that's ever going to happen. As much as I don't like watching it, they're extremely effective at it, and they're pretty much guaranteed homefield advantage in the playoffs.
I still have my doubts that this style of soccer can win an MLS Cup, but I can't put anything past Eric Ramsay, since he proves me wrong seemingly every week.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Inter Miami CF | 4:30 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
- Letting the focus slip: Sounders draw Galaxy
- Postgame Pontifications: In search of perfect balance
- Lobbing Scorchers Kickoff: Do Sounders have a goalkeeper controversy?
- Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy: community player ratings form
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011.
Reign
Next match: Tuesday, Sept. 16 vs. Racing Louisville | 5:00 pm PT | NWSL+ and Paramount+ (Match resuming after suspension for medical emergency)
Defiance
Next match: Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Houston Dynamo II | 5:00 pm PT | MLSNextPro.com and YouTube
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Savannah DeMelo 'stable and alert' after collapse as Racing Louisville match vs. Seattle Reign suspended (CBS Sports)
New England Revolution part ways with Caleb Porter (RevolutionSoccer.net)
Power Rankings, 1-30 | Matchday 33 (Tactics Free Zone)
Diego Luna: To Every Kid Alone in the Dark (Players' Tribune)
MLS Power Rankings: Did Müller, Vancouver just leapfrog No. 1? (ESPN)
Hat trick heroes: Müller, Bouanga & more make MLS history (MLSSoccer)
What We Learned: LAFC's dynamic duo, Vancouver Whitecaps make Shield charge (MLSSoccer)
Major League Soccer market values: Rodrigo De Paul drops - Obed Vargas among big winners (Transfermarkt)
Giovanni Savarese Reflects on Latino Soccer Legacy as Player, Coach, and Analyst (Mitú)
Young Players: Who stepped up in Matchday 33? (MLSSoccer)
US Open Cup Preview: All-MLS Quartet Chase History in 2025 Semifinals (US Soccer)
