With the MLS playoffs just around the corner, fans are starting to build excitement for the next few months of competitive soccer. The MLS prides itself on how anyone can go into the playoffs and win, no matter their spot on the table.
There are 10 players this year who can make an impact for their teams in the playoffs. The question is, will their impact be enough to raise the MLS Cup?
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: FC Dallas’ Stunning Turnaround: From Rock Bottom to Playoff Hunt
Players Expected to Lead Their Teams in the MLS Playoffs
Anders Dreyer – San Diego FC
Anders Dreyer has been one of the best players in the league in his first year with the expansion San Diego FC during their inaugural campaign. Dreyer has shown up in the biggest moments for his club throughout the season.
San Diego made good roster moves to start their season; the biggest one was, of course, bringing in the 27-year-old from RSC Anderlecht. Dreyer’s ability to play inverted and play more in the center of the field has made him a nightmare for fullbacks to defend in this league.
If San Diego wants to make a run as the one seed on their first try, they will need the Danish star to continue his high-quality play from the regular season. We have never seen a team make a championship run in their first year; this year could be different thanks to Dreyer.
Tai Baribo – Philadelphia Union
The Union has had a stellar year. This season started fast thanks to striker Tai Baribo, who has scored 16 goals this season. He has put his name in the conversation for the Golden Boot and boosted his team to Supporters’ Shield front-runners with five games to go.
Baribo’s production has slowed down this season after missing a few games in the summer and struggling to regain his pace from the start of the season.
His goal production has been unmatched by anyone on the team, even when he isn’t in the lineup he’s as sure a bet as playing crypto casino dice. Though he may not dominate in minutes and passes, he tends to finish chances when set up by his teammates.
If Baribo can regain his goal production from the start of the season, it’ll be hard to imagine Philadelphia leaving the MLA Playoffs early.
Evander – FC Cincinnati
Evander being sent to Cincinnati from Portland was a generational move for the Orange and Blue. After losing Lucho Acosta, they needed to replace his production and experience in the league.
That’s no easy task to replace a former league MVP with someone younger with league experience and MVP aspirations. Evander has been all that and much, much more for this team.
Cincinnati has had some holes in its game, but has produced positive results nonetheless. A lack of a scoring presence up top has forced Evander to do more outside of his standard role. The former Timber has been an MVP front-runner this season. If he continues to play at that level when games truly matter, it will lead Cincinnati to the Eastern Finals.
Thomas Muller – Vancouver Whitecaps
The German national team legend Thomas Müller made his grand entrance to the MLS this season, thanks to new fans learning what discovery rights are. Muller was worth the fight with FC Cincinnati now that the Pride of British Columbia final has its big-name midfielder.
Muller is out of his prime and soon to be retired; despite that fact, Muller has shown great interest in the league and in the development of the young core for the Caps.
His play on the field is nowhere close to what it once was in Bayern Munich; his leadership and smart, decisive play will carry him through the playoffs as Vancouver looks to make a run deep into the playoffs.
They will need their veteran DP to show up and show out in his first MLS playoff appearance. Vancouver’s fall from the top of the Supporters Shield race can still be avenged by a MLS Playoff run.
Sam Surridge – Nashville SC
Sam Surridge has had the best season of his career in Nashville this season, thanks to BJ Callaghan and his press that has opened up the offense and maximized their chances compared to years past.
Surridge has been fighting head-to-head with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot. This fight for the boot has been one of the best we have ever seen, as we expect it to go to the final days of the season.
Surridge’s rise to the top of the scoring list is one of the big reasons that Nashville has been one of the better teams all year. Similar to Baribo, he will need to continue his scoring pace, of his squad expects to make an impact this postseason run.
Denis Bouanga – LAFC
One of the most exciting players in the league roams the win for LA in Denis Bouanga. Bouanga is a fan favorite thanks to his speed down the line and ability to create chances out of thin air.
Bouanga is, if not one of the greatest scoring threats that we have seen in the MLS. His speed and skill are a unique combination that allows him to go toe to toe with any defender in the league with an advantage.
We have seen time and time again his ability to score and impact the game from the wing. With Son now with him as a Center Forward, they create a deadly one-two combo that will cause headaches for any back line.
If Son and Bouanga form a combination play in the final third, we can see a one-two combo like never before in the MLS Playoffs.
Martin Ojeda – Orlando City
Martin Ojeda and his impact on Orlando City have not been discussed this season, as City has mainly gone under the radar this season. Similar to Evander, he has had to play outside his role due to his team’s lack of scoring presence.
Ojeda has become a 16-goal scorer with 14 assists as he leads his club in both categories this season. He has carried the team’s goal production on his back single-handedly as the rest of his team has failed to create for themselves or others.
Though Orlando isn’t a bad squad, they rely heavily on Ojeda and his ability to not just score but to create chances for the rest of his team.
If Orlando is to make any run at the cup, it will come from the efforts of Ojeda in the midfield.
Christian Roldan – Seattle Sounders
Another Midfielder who has made a lasting impact is Christian Roldan. His goals and assists may not be up to par with others on this list, but he is irreplaceable for the Sounders.
Seattle has relied on Roldan over the years, and his impact in the midfield has led this team to successful outcomes all year, including a league cup this season. Roldan also contributed a goal in the Club World Cup.
Roldan’s decision-making in the midfield has allowed Seattle to create clean chances in the final third despite their number nine struggling to find his pace for the majority of the season.
He may not stand out on the stat sheet, but his play in the midfield makes this team a contender in the West. Without Roldan, this team would lack an impactful midfield presence.
Matt Freese – NYCFC
Matt Freese is the only goaltender on this list. He may not be the best out of 17 other tenders that will be in the playoffs, but he may have the biggest role.
In the dog days of summer, NYCFC struggled to stay afloat as they fell behind in the standings as the summer was heating up. With their play being poor, only time would tell if they would stay alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Matt Freese showed up for the USMNT the past few windows and has come back strong to New York every time. Freese earned himself an extension thanks to his clutch saves throughout the season.
Freese has shown he can make the big save with the country watching him; the question is, can he continue to do so with the pressure of the big Apple on his shoulders?
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
Miami has relied on Lionel Messi all year; without his five-game run with multiple goals, Miami could have been on the outside looking in this postseason. Instead, they could avoid the play in the game and become competitors for the Cup despite their seeding.
Messi has lifted his team whenever or how ever they needed it and whenever they needed it. His effort may be questioned, but his skill and talent cannot be denied, thanks to his highlight moments that drop jaws to the floor. He’s still so good that he’s a likely MLS Golden Boot winner.
Though many fans may hate Messi and not enjoy his impact on the game in America, there is no question that he will be a game-changer for Miami during this hopeful MLS Playoff campaign.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
Recording Date 15.07.2025