A bit more than a month into the 2025 MLS season — the milestone 30th in league history — a number of surprise teams have emerged as the second enters its second month of play. Here are five that stand out, so far:
➤ Charlotte FC — Are coming off a 4-1 demolition of former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena’s San Jose Earthquakes. Charlotte’s only blemish so far is a 1-0 loss to Inter Miami on March 9.
➤ Chicago Fire FC — Former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter might have this sleeping giant finally in its proper place among the league’s elite.
➤ Nashville SC — Former USMNT interim coach B.J. Callaghan has this team off to its best start since joining MLS, with its most impressive victory a 3-1 statement against …
➤ Philadelphia Union — The Union were coming off a 2024 season in which they failed to reach the playoffs, ending a six-year postseason streak. The team fired longtime coach Jim Curtin and hired former St. Louis City coach Bradley Carnell. Heading into 2025, soccer football pundits didn’t have high expectations for the Union. Well, they are the co-leaders in the Supporters’ Shield race with …
➤ Vancouver Whitecaps FC — While their fellow MLS Canadian clubs appear to be early Wooden Spoon candidates, the Whitecaps have been a huge surprise. The biggest shocker of all was a Concacaf Champions Cup upset of Liga MX powerhouse CF Monterrey.
MLS Matchday 6: What are this weekend’s games?
(All games available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.)
Saturday
New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls, 2:30 p.m. ET
Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 2:30 p.m. ET
Colorado Rapids vs. Charlotte FC, 4:30 p.m. ET
Atlanta United vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
Inter Miami CF vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET
Chicago Fire FC vs. CF Montréal, 8:30 p.m. ET
FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. ET
Minnesota United FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m. ET
Nashville SC vs. FC Cincinnati, 8:30 p.m. ET
LA Galaxy vs. Orlando City SC, 10:30 p.m. ET
San Diego FC vs. Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
Sunday
St. Louis City SC vs. Austin FC, 2:15 p.m. ET (FOX)
Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo, 7 p.m. ET
MLS game of the week: Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union
Date and time: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV/streaming info: MLS Season Pass
It’s still very early in the season, but Saturday’s Eastern Conference showdown at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, features two of the top five teams in the current Supporters’ Shield standings. To the surprise of many, it’s the Philadelphia Union who are co-pacing the 30-team field through five games played. The Union’s hot start has been fueled by surprise early season Golden Boot candidate Tai Baribo, who leads the league with six goals.
Inter Miami is off to a strong start — as expected — and successfully navigating Concacaf Champions Cup play, too (speaking of which, they have a first leg of a quarterfinal in Los Angeles against two-time Champions Cup/League finalist LAFC on Wednesday). Lionel Messi only has appeared in two MLS games so far this season but has been a factor, scoring a goal and assisting on two others for undefeated Miami. Messi’s status for Saturday’s game is TBD.
Where can you watch MLS games?
All Major League Soccer games air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Some select games are available for free on Apple TV and viewers only need an Apple ID to watch.
In a major push to reach more viewers this season, Comcast Xfinity and DirecTV customers can subscribe and watch MLS Season Pass through the TV providers, while T-Mobile users will be able to access MLS Season Pass for free.
MLS betting odds: Who is favorite to win 2025 championship?
According to BetMGM, Inter Miami CF (+333) is the current favorite to win the 2025 league championship, followed by Los Angeles FC (+700), Vancouver Whitecaps (+1400), Columbus Crew (+1400) and New York Red Bulls (+1600).
MLS 2025 season key dates
May 6-7: U.S. Open Cup Round of 32: MLS teams enter the competition
May 14-18: Rivalry week
June 14-July 13: Club World Cup
July 23: MLS All-Star Game, in Austin, Texas
July 29-Aug. 31: Leagues Cup
Oct. 18: Final day of regular season (MLS Decision Day)