News Summary
The upcoming MLS season will feature 30 teams in five competitions, leading to a significant reduction in traditional summer friendlies. High-profile tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup will dominate the schedule, with only four summer matches planned. Teams like Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are involved in multiple competitions, while Nashville SC aims for a successful finish in the U.S. Open Cup. The packed schedule signifies a shift in how clubs prioritize international engagements over summer activities, impacting competitive strategies for the season.
New York, NY – The 2025 MLS season is set to be the most congested in the league’s history, featuring 30 teams engaged in five different competitions in addition to their regular season matches. This unprecedented level of activity presents unique challenges for Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, many of which find themselves stretched with limited opportunities to engage in traditional summer friendlies.
Most MLS teams are involved in a maximum of two different competitions, though select clubs such as Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders FC, and Los Angeles FC are taking part in several high-profile tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup. Due to this packed schedule, only four summer friendlies have been scheduled for 2025, a significant decrease from previous seasons.
Among the summer matches, Aston Villa, a Premier League side, is set to face St. Louis CITY SC on July 30 and Nashville SC on August 2. St. Louis has had a troubled season, resulting in the firing of head coach Olof Mellberg after just 15 games, leaving the team with only three victories from 21 matches so far. Meanwhile, Nashville SC is poised for a strong finish, currently competing in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup and targeting success in MLS playoffs, which may affect their roster choices during the friendlies.
Additionally, Eintracht Frankfurt is set to compete against the Philadelphia Union on August 2 and will also face Louisville City as part of their international program in advance of the FIFA World Cup 2026. This match represents a collaborative effort between Frankfurt and Philadelphia, cities that have been sister cities since 2015. D.C. United will also be involved in international aspirations, facing the Ethiopian national team, the Walia Ibex, marking a continuation of MLS teams facing international squads for the second successive season. The Ethiopian team is actively participating in qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In terms of team performance, Los Angeles FC achieved a notable triumph over FC Dallas, winning 2-0 and extending their home streak against Dallas to six consecutive wins since May 2019. This victory contributes to LAFC’s strong season output, with a current record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses, placing them sixth in the Western Conference.
As for individual achievements, Sam Surridge from Nashville SC leads the MLS in scoring with 16 goals this season, closely followed by well-known player Lionel Messi, who has been consistently contributing to the scoreboard as well. Recently, Nashville SC made a stunning comeback, defeating D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals by scoring five unanswered goals after initially trailing the match.
The unique structure of the 2025 MLS season, with its crowded schedule and focus on international engagements, signifies a shift in how teams approach their summer activities. Clubs are now prioritizing their competitive commitments while forfeiting traditional summer friendly matches.
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Additional Resources
- MLS Match: St. Louis vs. Sporting Kansas City
- LAFC vs. FC Dallas Recap
- Match Center: D.C. United vs. LA Galaxy
- Lionel Messi and MLS Goal-Scoring Records
- Charlotte FC Extends Loan for Pep Biel
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Google Search: 2025 MLS season
- Google Scholar: Major League Soccer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Soccer
- Google News: 2025 MLS news
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