The Philadelphia Union is once again back on the top of MLS. After moving down to second place in the Eastern Conference following Matchday 29, they’re back at the top of the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings after Matchday 30.
An emphatic 4-0 win over the Chicago Fire helped the Union regain first place, and an FC Cincinnati loss to NYCFC also played a factor during the matchday.
In the Western Conference, San Diego FC picked up three more points in a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, keeping them at the top of the West. San Diego is also the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth this year. D.C. United is the first team eliminated from playoff contention.
Son Heung-min scored his first goal for LAFC in a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas. From a free-kick in the 6th minute, Son found the top left corner for his first goal in MLS. He was also named Player of the Match with a rating of 8.6.
There are only a few more matchdays left in the 2025 regular season before the playoffs begin. Here is a quick recap of five of the best matches from MLS Matchday 30.
Union moves back into the top spot of MLS
A statement win over the Chicago Fire has put the Philadelphia Union back into the top spot of MLS. A 4-0 win and a clean sheet put the Union back in a place that’s been familiar to them all season.
Tai Baribo opened the scoring in the 34th minute. It was his 16th goal of the season, which puts him in fourth in the Golden Boot race.
Kai Wagner, Danley Jean-Jacques, and Milan Iloski followed Baribo on the scoresheet. Illoski scored his first goal in league play for the Union since joining the club, and was named Player of the Match with a 9.2 rating.
The Union have a big match coming up this Saturday against FC Cincinnati.
Son scores his first MLS goal
Son Heung-min scored his first goal as an LAFC and MLS player against FC Dallas on Saturday night. Son recorded his first assist the previous weekend against the New England Revolution, and now has an MLS goal to his name after three matches.
A free-kick in the 6th minute from outside the box was the way Son would score his first goal. However, LAFC couldn’t enjoy the lead for long because Logan Farrington equalized for FC Dallas just seven minutes later.
Even though Son finally found the back of the net, it was the second time out of three matches that LAFC has drawn.
Thomas Müller wins it late for Vancouver
Another big name that came to MLS just a few weeks ago was Thomas Müller. The German midfielder nearly scored his first goal the previous weekend against the Houston Dynamo, but the goal was called back due to offside.
Against St. Louis City, Müller’s first goal couldn’t have been written any better, scoring the game-winning goal in the 90+14′.
The win for Vancouver puts them in a comfortable third place in the West, five points ahead of the Seattle Sounders in fourth.
Nashville picks up 5-1 win over Orlando City
Nashville SC put on a show against Orlando City, picking up a 5-1 win. Nashville sits in third in the East and has a small cushion of three points ahead of Charlotte in fourth.
Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar both scored braces in the win. Surridge now leads the Golden Boot race with 20 goals. This year, Nashville has been a pleasant surprise in the East, showing that they are genuine contenders.
LA Galaxy spoils Paxten Aaronson’s debut
Paxten Aaronson debuted for the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night against the LA Galaxy. The former Union academy product and Eintracht Frankfurt player signed for the Rapids for a club record fee of $7 million.
Aaronson came on the the 59th minute, playing a total of 32 minutes and recording one shot.
LA Galaxy were already up 2-0 when Aaronson was subbed on. The Galaxy tripled their lead in the 75th minute from a goal by Gabriel Pec.
MLS Table after Matchday 30
Philadelphia Union – 54 pts
FC Cincinnati – 52 pts
Nashville SC – 50 pts
Charlotte FC – 47 pts
Orlando City – 47 pts
Inter Miami – 46 pts
Columbus Crew – 45 pts
NYCFC – 44 pts
New York Red Bulls – 39 pts
Chicago Fire – 39 pts
New England Revolution – 31 pts
FC Toronto – 24 pts
CF Montreal – 23 pts
Atlanta United – 23 pts
e – D.C. United – 21 pts
x- San Diego FC – 53 pts
Minnesota United – 50 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 49 pts
Seattle Sounders – 44 pts
LAFC – 41 pts
Portland Timbers – 41 pts
Portland Timbers – 38 pts
Colorado Rapids – 36 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 35 pts
Austin FC – 35 pts
Real Salt Lake – 31 pts
FC Dallas – 30 pts
Houston Dynamo – 29 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 24 pts
St. Louis City – 21 pts
LA Galaxy – 19 pts
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