MLS Matchday 20 recap: San Diego climbs to the top of the West, Union are 11-games unbeaten

After a short break with the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, MLS Matchday 20 took place on Wednesday night. After the Matchday, a new leader in the Western Conference emerged.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have been in the driver’s seat in the West for most of the season, but now San Diego FC is at the top. San Diego took down Vancouver, 5-3, on Wednesday night.

In the East, the Philadelphia Union is still at the top of both their conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings.

Here are the five best matches from MLS Matchday 20.

union, MLS — Jun 25, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Union defender Jakob Glesnes (5) and Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutirrez (17) go for the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Union earns gritty win over Chicago Fire

It wasn’t a pretty or exciting win for the Union, but three points are three points. The club also extended its MLS unbeaten streak to 11 games following the win.

Bruno Damiani capitalized on a penalty in the 10th minute to put the Union ahead 1-0, a lead they would carry for the remainder of the match. It was Damiani’s third goal of the season.

The Union will face a challenge this Sunday against Daniel Gazdag and the Columbus Crew at 6:00 pm.

San Diego is on top of the West

San Diego FC has taken the Vancouver Whitecaps off their throne, for now. Eight goals were scored during the match, and San Diego left BC Place with a 5-3 victory.

Milan Iloski scored FOUR goals during the match, including a hat-trick in the first half. Tomas Angel scored San Diego’s fifth goal in the 90th minute.

San Diego competed with the league’s best in its inaugural season, and now it is at the top of the Western Conference and second in MLS’s Supporters’ Shield race.

Minnesota takes down Houston

Minnesota United is still trying to catch Vancouver. On Wednesday, they took down the Houston Dynamo, 3-1, but are still two points behind the Whitecaps in MLS’s West.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored a brace in the win over Houston, and Robin Lod added the third goal in the 70th minute.

Sporting KC scores late winner against Charlotte

Sporting Kansas City scored two goals in stoppage time to take down Charlotte FC, 2-1.

After trailing from the 34th minute on, Mason Toye equalized the match for KC in the 90+3′, and then Dejan Joveljic scored the go-ahead and match winner just three minutes later.

Charlotte is fighting to be in the MLS playoffs, which are crucial points they missed.

Dallas gets two red cards in loss to San Jose

FC Dallas picked up two red cards in their 4-2 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday evening.

Petar Musa gave Dallas a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute, and they went into the second half confident. Cristian Arango tied the match in the 50th minute for San Jose, and then Josef Martinez doubled the lead in the 57th minute.

In six minutes, Dallas saw two players ejected from the match. Kaick Ferreria received his red card in the 79th minute, and Sebastien Ibeagha received his red card in the 86th minute. Dallas was already trailing the match at that point, and being down to nine men did not make a comeback possible.

MLS Standings

MLS’s Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Union – 40 pts
FC Cincinnati – 36 pts
Nashville SC – 35 pts
Columbus Crew – 34 pts
Orlando City – 33 pts
Inter Miami – 29 pts
New York Red Bulls – 28 pts
NYCFC – 28 pts
Charlotte FC – 25 pts
Chicago Fire – 25 pts
New England Revolution – 23 pts
D.C. United – 18 pts
Atlanta United – 17 pts
Toronto FC – 14 pts
CF Montreal – 11 pts

MLS’s Western Conference

San Diego FC – 36 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 35 pts
Minnesota United – 33 pts
Portland Timbers – 30 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 26 pts
LAFC – 26 pts
Seattle Sounders – 26 pts
Austin FC – 26 pts
Colorado Rapids – 25 pts
FC Dallas – 21 pts
Houston Dynamo – 20 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 19 pts
Real Salt Lake – 18 pts
St. Louis City – 15 pts
LA Galaxy – 8 pts