The top of MLS is a cluster of teams within touching distance of the Supporters’ Shield. As the season winds down, we can see the clear contenders and those that make up the top 10 of the league. Overall, being in the top 10 isn’t a bad spot to be, especially when you consider that after this weekend, most of the contenders have just 10 games left on the season. Here’s where things stand after a crazy midweek matchweek.
MLS Supporters’ Shield Watch after Matchday 25
1st Place: Philadelphia Union – 46 points from 23 games played
The top team in MLS came into their midweek matchday 25 game playing the team sitting in dead last place in the league standings, CF Montreal. Philly was flying early in the game, but didn’t truly get a foothold until a 38th-minute Tai Baribo goal. They did concede right before the half, though, but did well to regain the lead five minutes into the second half. They spent the last 15 minutes of the game defending and ultimately took all three points.
Philly heads on the road for matchweek 26, going to Western Conference side Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo are 11th in the MLS’s West and have been very hit or miss all year. The Union hopes to keep its recent dominance over former players going, as it has won two games in a row against teams with its former players starting for the opposition. Star midfielder Jack McGlynn now holds down Houston’s midfield, and the Union will look to make it three-in-three.
- Next MLS match: @ Houston Dynamo | Saturday, July 19 | 8:30 pm EST
2nd Place: FC Cincinnati – 45 points from 23 games played
FC Cincinnati fell in the Hell is Real Derby last weekend, and welcomed Messi and friends to TQL Stadium looking to get back on the front foot. They did just that with a statement win. Cincinnati dominated Miami in a way that hasn’t been done since the Herons were in the Club World Cup. They scored three goals and held Miami scoreless for the first time in MLS play since May. Cincy kept pace with Philly, just one point from the Shield lead.
With a lot on the line this weekend, Cincinnati goes on the road to Real Salt Lake. RSL is in 10th place in the West and is hungry to get into the thick of their conference’s playoff mix. One thing is certain in MLS this season: the West is much more wide open than the East. Can Cincy keep their pursuit of Philly up, or will they falter like last weekend?
- Next MLS match: @ Real Salt Lake | Saturday, July 19 | 9:30 pm EST
3rd Place: Nashville SC – 44 points from 23 games played
Nashville got battered by Miami last weekend, and came back home on the midweek to face a strong Columbus side that had jumped into the top five of the league. With adversity staring them in the face, Nashville produced what could be their best performance of the MLS season. They scored three unanswered goals in an open game. Nashville converted its chances and made sure Columbus didn’t do so. They gained three points and are just two away from leading the Shield race.
Coming into the weekend, Nashville stays home and welcomes struggling Toronto FC. TFC is 12th in MLS’s East and has only five wins on the year. This is an excellent chance for Nashville to build upon its midweek victory. A win would push them atop the Shield standings, barring wins from Cincy and Philly. It wouldn’t be surprising if Nashville jumped up after match week 26.
- Next MLS match: vs Toronto FC | Saturday, July 19 | 8:30 pm EST
4th Place: San Diego FC – 42 points from 23 games played
The only team in the top five not to win this past midweek was San Diego FC. They had a home game against lowly Eastern Conference side Toronto FC and failed to impress. San Diego did have the majority of the ball, but was only able to produce one shot on target from seven total shots in the game. They conceded a penalty kick and lost 1-0; even so, they are still atop the MLS’s Western Conference.
Their next match is a marquee matchup, the last game of the weekend. San Diego takes on Vancouver. The winner gets the top spot in the West, and the loser could be on their way out of the top five of the MLS Shield race. Who will reign in the West? Both have had recent struggles and successes, but who can come out on top?
- Next MLS match: vs Vancouver Whitecaps | Saturday, July 19 | 10:30 pm EST
5th Place: Vancouver Whitecaps – 41 points from 22 games played
Vancouver had fallen out of the top five before this past round of matches. Last weekend, the Whitecaps lost 3-0 to Colorado. They followed that up with a 3-0 win at Houston this past Wednesday. Three goals, a clean sheet, and a pair of Gold Cup stars (Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White) got on the scoresheet. It was a great night for the Caps, who now have a chance to get back into first place in their conference.
Vancouver was the darling of MLS early in the season. Their falloff after losing the Concacaf Champions Cup has been well documented. While they have dropped off of MLS’s Shield lead, Vancouver can get back atop the Western Conference if they can go to San Diego and get a much-needed win. Stay up late for the last game of the matchday to catch that action
- Next MLS match: @ San Diego FC | Saturday, July 19 | 10:30 pm EST
Rounding out the top 10
Once again, the teams in sixth, seventh, and eighth place in MLS are all still in contention to make a run at the Supporters’ Shield. Columbus, Minnesota, and Miami are all just wins away from being included in the top five. LAFC sits in ninth and can do something similar to Miami if they can stack some wins from the games in hand they have after the Club World Cup. Orlando rounds out the top 10 but is six points off rising five spots to be true contenders.
- 6th place: Columbus Crew SC – 41 points from 23 games played
- 7th place: Minnesota United – 40 points from 23 games played
- 8th place: Inter Miami CF – 38 points from 20 games played
- 9th place: LAFC – 35 points from 20 games played
- 10th place: Orlando City – 35 points from 23 games played
This Saturday night, there is a full slate of MLS matches, and all teams will be in action. LAFC hosts LA Galaxy in the game with top billing for the weekend, who doesn’t love an El Trafico? Tune in to Apple TV+ to catch the action on MLS Season Pass. It should be another week of craziness heading into next midweek’s All-Star game!
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