Major League Soccer Faces Packed Season Challenges

Fans bring energy and enthusiasm to the MLS matches amid challenges in the season.

News Summary

The MLS season is set to be the busiest yet, featuring 30 clubs competing in various tournaments alongside the regular season. This increase in fixtures has led to a significant decrease in summer friendlies, with few matches scheduled. Teams like Inter Miami CF and LAFC are navigating through both league and prestigious tournaments. Furthermore, international friendlies are on the rise, showcasing the global connections of MLS clubs. As teams adapt to this congested schedule, performance will be critical in their playoff pursuits.

St. Louis, MO – The 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season marks a significant challenge for teams as the league witnesses its most crowded season to date, featuring 30 clubs participating across five distinct competitions in addition to the regular season. The unique scheduling and competition structure are prompting teams to adapt, leading to a notable reduction in traditional summer friendlies.

Due to congested match schedules, the average MLS team is involved in a maximum of two competitions. Several teams, including Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders FC, and Los Angeles FC, are partaking in prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup. This overcapacity of fixtures has drastically cut down the number of friendly matches arranged during the summer, with only four games now slated.

Details on Scheduled Summer Friendlies

Among the few summer friendlies, Aston Villa from the Premier League will directly engage with St. Louis CITY SC on July 30, followed by a match against Nashville SC on August 2, 2025. St. Louis CITY SC is currently facing challenges, having recently dismissed their coach Olof Mellberg after a poor performance that saw only three wins in the first 21 matches of the season.

On the other hand, Nashville SC is faring better, reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup and focusing on a successful playoff run in the MLS, which may lead them to rotate players during their upcoming friendly engagements.

International Friendlies and Club Significance

In a significant international matchup, Eintracht Frankfurt will compete against the Philadelphia Union on August 2, symbolizing the close relationship between the two cities, which have been sister cities since 2015. Additionally, Eintracht Frankfurt will play against Louisville City as part of their internationalization efforts in preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Meanwhile, D.C. United is scheduled to face the Ethiopian national team, also marking the second successive season an MLS club has played against an international side. The Ethiopian team, known as the Walia Ibex, is competing in the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and is striving for valuable results to secure their advancement in the tournament.

Current Club Performance and Standings

In league action, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) has showcased a strong performance, achieving their second consecutive victory by defeating FC Dallas 2-0, thanks to goals from Nathan Ordaz and Denis Bouanga. As of now, LAFC holds a record of 9-5-5, placing them sixth in the Western Conference. The team has maintained a dominant home record against FC Dallas, extending their winning streak to six games since May 2019.

In individual standout performances, Sam Surridge from Nashville SC leads the league with 16 goals this season, closely followed by global superstar Lionel Messi, who has been consistently scoring for his team.

Despite the challenges brought about by the packed schedule and limited sporting opportunities, teams and players continue to strive for excellence in the 2025 MLS season.