MLS Matchday 4 recap: Nashville hands Union first loss, Whitecaps remain perfect

Going into MLS Matchday 4, two clubs had a perfect record. Now, only one remains.

Nashville SC handed the Philadelphia Union their first loss of the 2025 MLS season, and the Vancouver Whitecaps picked up a 1-0 clean sheet against FC Dallas to remain perfect with a 4-0-0 record. The Western Conference has been a bit of a shocker to start the new season, and the Whitecaps are sitting comfortably at the top.

Let’s look back at some of the best matches from Matchday 4.

Union, MLS — Image Credit: Philadelphia Union

Nashville ends Philadelphia’s perfect start

The Union was looking to go 4-0-0 for the first time in club history, but Nashville SC had different plans. On a windy day in Chester, Nashville made a statement win over the Union, 3-1.

A pair of controversial calls were the most prominent story during Sunday’s match. Daniel Lovitz made contact with Quinn Sullivan, who went down in the box, but referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere stood firm on his no-penalty call even after the play was sent to review.

Lauziere was sent back to video review shortly after when Jakob Glesnes made contact with Henry Mukhtar, sending him to the ground and forcing a penalty. Mukhtar converted on the penalty, but Union fans weren’t happy with the call beforehand, as they threw hot dogs onto the pitch to voice their displeasure with MLS’s refs.

It’s lonely at the top for Vancouver!

The Vancouver Whitecaps continue to steamroll their MLS competition. On Saturday, they took down FC Dallas, 1-0, to improve to a perfect 4-0-0. They sit first in the West with 12 points, three more than second-place San Diego FC.

It was an even contest between both clubs for most of the 90 minute,s but in the 54th minute, Tristan Blackmon converted with a header from a corner kick.

The shot totals were nearly similar, with Vancouver having eight compared to Dallas’s six, but the Whitecaps got what really mattered: three points.

San Diego and Columbus draw in Cali

Alongside the Whitecaps, San Diego FC has been another big surprise in MLS. In their inaugural season, San Diego sits second in the West with eight points and a 2-2-0 record.

In every match so far, they’ve matched up with their competition. Against the Columbus Crew on Saturday, San Deigo’s Onni Valakari scored an equalizer in the 69th minute to steal a point from one of the East’s powerhouses.

Columbus created a few strong chances even with being down to 10 men after the 61st minute, but both clubs would each take away one point.

Kansas City and Minnesota draw in thrilling comeback

Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United combined for six goals total in a 3-3 draw. Minnesota had a 3-0 lead in the second half, but Kansas City stormed back with three consecutive goals of their own; MLS gonna MLS.

The first goal of the match by Minnesota’s Hassani Dotson could earn Puskas votes when the year is finished, and he is already likely to win MLS Goal of the Year. Minnesota almost had a penalty opportunity in the 87th minute, but the ball hit off of the Kansas City defender’s head instead of his arm, no penalty. Ouch.

The draw gave Minnesota their seventh point of the year. For Kansas City, it was their first.

Messi’s magic returns for Miami

Lionel Messi made his return to league play on Sunday against Atlanta United. It didn’t take long for him to score his first goal of the year, either. In the 20th minute, Messi stripped the ball off of Atlanta’s Bartosz Silsz and chipped the ball over Brad Gurzan to bring the match level.

Fabrice Picault scored the winning goal for Miami in the 89th minute. Picault converted on a header that was crossed into the box, and the ball managed to find its way to the back post and into the net.

This win specifically felt extra special for Miami since Atlanta knocked them out in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

Standings after Matchday 4

MLS Eastern Conference

Inter Miami – 10 pts
Philadelphia Union – 9 pts
Columbus Crew – 8 pts
Charlotte FC – 7 pts
Nashville SC – 7 pts
Chicago Fire – 7 pts
New York City FC – 7 pts
FC Cincinnati – 6 pts
D.C. United – 6 pts
New York Red Bulls – 5 pts
Orlando City SC – 4 pts
Atlanta United – 4 pts
CF Montreal – 1 pt
New England Revolution – 1 pts
Toronto FC – 1 pt

MLS — Mar 2, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suarez (9) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against Houston Dynamo FC at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

MLS Western Conference

Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 12 pts
San Diego FC – 8 pts
St. Louis City SC – 8 pts
Colorado Rapids – 8 pts
Minnesota United – 7 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 6 pts
Austin FC – 6 pts
LAFC – 6 pts
Real Salt Lake – 6 pts
Seattle Sounders – 4 pts
FC Dallas – 4 pts
Portland Timbers – 4 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 1 pt
Houston Dynamo – 1 pt
LA Galaxy – 1 pt