The MLS season has slowed down as we hit the middle of June as the Club World Cup hits the shores of the United States. Now is a time to reflect on the season thus far and take inventory on some of the biggest storylines.
The logjam in the middle of each conference is hotly contested. Teams like Chicago and Houston, where people look to bet in Texas, are on the outside looking in at the playoffs. While some surprise runaway leaders have emerged. And then there are a few teams who have struggled immensely. This season has shown to be rife with drama.
Six Biggest Surprises of the 2025 MLS Season
Ownership is the Problem in DC United
It’s safe to say this season has been a disaster for one of the MLS’s oldest and most beloved clubs. This year has been a free-fall for DC, with a poor roster and no true solution at the manager; it is easy to point to see the root of the problem.
Erick Thohir and Jason Levien bought ownership of the team in 2012. They have focused on getting the club a new stadium and enhancing its global profile. Unfortunately, there has been a lack of investment and understanding in the club and its roster construction.
At the start of the season, DC made their interest in former Juventus Midfielder Paul Pogba public; they freed up a DP (Designated Player) spot with the French national in mind. Losing out on Pogba means the team left a spot open with no replacement plan available.
They lack talent and a competitive roster due to ownership meddling with the front office and the manager’s wishes; this DP spot is wasted as another season of poor development and low expectations drives DC United fans away.
LA Galaxy’s Poor Form Linked to Riqui Puig’s Injury
Riqui Puig gave his body up for the MLS Cup last year after he tore his ACL in the Western Conference Final. Puig played on it after the injury in the final to help deliver the sixth MLS title for the Galaxy.
Puig has been out so far this season as he recovers from his serious injury, leaving a gap in the midfield for the Galaxy as well as the center of their attack.
Puig moves well with the ball, along with being creative, making space for runners in the gaps of the defenders, and making key passes, has been one of his best qualities.
The Galaxy went almost four months without a win, they had some good moments against decent competition, a lack of a creative attack, and a defense that gave up too many chances burned them at the end of games.
Their last game to end the month of May against Real Salt Lake has been their lone win of the season. Without Puig, it’s hard to see the Galaxy add more wins towards the grueling summer months.
Vancouver Whitecaps, the Best of the West
The 2025 Vancouver Whitecaps were expected to be in the mix this year and battle for a playoff spot. No one expected the jump to the best of the West like they have done so far this season.
The Whitecaps didn’t show a major improvement to the roster; they filled a few gaps this past summer window and hoped a jump in play would naturally happen. They struck gold on their luck when Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White became two of the best at their position in the MLS. White’s high-effort play at the nine has given him key chances for which he has taken advantage.
Berhalter made space for White and dictated the game from the middle of the field. They are five points ahead of San Diego in first place with just one loss to their name. This could be Vancouver’s year if their play stays at its current form and the rest of the West shows no major improvement that threatens the top team from Canada.
The East is a Mosh Pit
Philadelphia and Cincinnati have been the top two seeds of the East for almost a whole month now. Outside of those two, there has been no consistency from the three seed to the nine spot.
Teams have battled back and forth, competing for this spot, leaving us uncertain about the direction these teams are trending due to the hectic nature of the East.
Columbus was viewed as the top team in the East a month ago, but they have fallen to the sixth seed, only three points removed from Charlotte in the ninth seed.
Miami was viewed as a failed project in early May as they almost spiraled into a free fall from the second seed to out of the playoff picture. After a few good weeks, Miami is back in the ‘three seed’ and only four points away from the one spot.
The second seed is only separated from the ninth seed by five points.
It has been impossible to predict which teams will take a playoff spot, let alone what seed everyone will fall into as the season progresses.
Nashville is Revived With B.J. Callaghan as Manager
BJ Callaghan stepped up as Manager for the USMNT when the organization was at a crossroads and needed someone to step up and give the team direction.
When the national team skipped over Callaghan, he accepted the position at Nashville SC, which fell off from their form as the season progressed that year.
After a disappointing first year with the club, it appears that Callaghan got his message across, as the team is playing its best in years.
Nashville has jumped onto the scene as a true contender for a top playoff seed in this Eastern Conference. They currently hold the third spot (June 20).
If Nashville falls short this season of an MLS Cup appearance, it will be hard to chalk this season as a loss. With BJ at the helm, the future looks bright in Nashville as soccer is back to form for one of the biggest teams in the league.
San Diego is a True Contender in the West
There has only been one team this season to be near the heels of Vancouver in the West. San Diego has impressed in their first season in the MLS after being announced two years ago.
In their first season, they were expected to be a bottom team trying to build their foundation for future seasons.
Mikey Varas was awarded his first official job as manager of a first club with expectations to build this club into a winner during his tenure. His experience working with the USMNT youth system prepared him to build a team from the ground up, forming a consistent unit that works well in his system.
Adding a DP player like Hirving Lozano with experience in Italy and the Netherlands, along with national Luca de la Torre, has created a foundation on which Varas could build.
It’s yet to be determined if this team can win a championship in its first season, but there is no doubt that they can compete with any team in the West deep into the regular season.
Main image credit: © Simon Fearn-Imagn Images