News Summary
Major League Soccer is gearing up for a challenging season ahead with 30 clubs participating in multiple competitions, resulting in a congested schedule. Teams like Inter Miami CF and LAFC will face heightened demands as they balance their commitments. The reduction in summer friendlies highlights these challenges, with only a few matches against European clubs scheduled. Notable games include Aston Villa’s visit and a friendly matchup for D.C. United against the Ethiopian national team. As the season approaches, clubs are adapting to its demands while aiming for success.
Major League Soccer (MLS) is heading into the 2025 season with its most congested schedule ever, featuring 30 clubs participating in five different competitions in addition to the regular season. This unprecedented match congestion presents challenges and opportunities for teams as they navigate their busy calendars, with most clubs balancing participation in two competitions.
Notably, several prominent clubs such as Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders FC, and Los Angeles FC are set to compete in multiple prestigious tournaments including the FIFA Club World Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup, further intensifying their schedules. The scheduling conflicts that arise from these commitments mean that there will be limited opportunities for teams to host summer friendly matches.
This season is particularly striking due to the significant reduction in summer friendlies, with only four scheduled games for MLS teams against European clubs. In previous years, teams often enjoyed many more opportunities to engage in such matches, which typically serve as preparation for upcoming seasons while providing fans with international excitement.
Aston Villa is set to visit the United States, kicking off their tour with a friendly against St. Louis CITY SC on July 30, followed by a match against Nashville SC on August 2. St. Louis CITY SC, however, is struggling in the current season, having recently sacked their manager after just 15 games, reflecting on a poor run of performance. In contrast, Nashville SC is faring better, reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup and may opt to rotate players for their match against Aston Villa as they manage player workload.
The Philadelphia Union will also host a critical friendly on August 2 against Eintracht Frankfurt, which represents part of Frankfurt’s internationalization strategy leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This matchup is particularly meaningful as it reinforces the longstanding sister city relationship between Philadelphia and Frankfurt that began in 2015.
In a unique showcase of international sports, D.C. United will face off against the Ethiopian men’s national team. This encounter marks the second consecutive season in which an MLS club will play against an international side. Ethiopia is currently ranked 156th by FIFA and is actively engaged in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which presents both a competitive and historical context for their upcoming match.
The 2025 MLS regular season is slated to begin on February 22 with Inter Miami CF going up against New York City FC. LAFC will embark on their campaign earlier, participating in the Coachella Valley Invitational on February 5 against the Chicago Fire. Throughout the season, over 510 regular-season matches will be available through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, providing comprehensive coverage for fans.
Each MLS club will face six out-of-conference teams during the regular season, ensuring a diverse competition and match experience. Of particular note is the highly anticipated rivalry matchup between LA Galaxy and LAFC set for July 19, 2025, attracting considerable attention as both clubs aim to assert their dominance on the pitch. The 2025 season will allow for the continuation of routine MLS play during the Leagues Cup, signifying a meshing of league competitions that will not disrupt regular season schedules.
As clubs prepare for this uniquely demanding season, the landscape of MLS is evolving, presenting new challenges that teams will adapt to in hopes of success in both domestic and international realms.
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Additional Resources
- SI: MLS Friendlies This Summer
- MLS Soccer: 2025 Regular Season Schedule
- Inter Miami CF: 2025 MLS Schedule
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Soccer
- Google Search: MLS 2025 Season
