With the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Club World Cup now complete, the focus shifts back fully to MLS as the season enters a crucial second half. Teams are at full strength again, and Matchday 24 brought with it plenty of drama, big performances, and clear signals of who’s surging and who’s slipping.
Lionel Messi delivered another unforgettable performance, this time with a brace that lifted Inter Miami past Nashville SC in a top-tier Eastern Conference clash. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew staged a wild comeback in the “Hell is Real” derby, and the Vancouver Whitecaps continued their alarming slide with another poor showing, this time against Colorado.
Elsewhere, clubs like D.C. United, Atlanta United, and NYCFC struggled to shake off their rough patches, while the countdown to the summer transfer window has begun.
It’s all systems go for the stretch run. Here’s how all 30 MLS teams stack up after Matchday 24.
30. D.C. United
Previous Rank: 28
Result: Lost to LA Galaxy 2-1
D.C. United couldn’t respond to the recent managerial change with a much-needed win. They fell short again, this time against a fellow struggling team. Gabriel Pirani pulled one back late, but it was too little, too late. They’ve now gone five games without a win and look completely out of ideas.
29. St. Louis CITY SC
Previous Rank: 29
Result: Beat Portland Timbers 2-1
A surprising but welcome result for St. Louis, who finally returned to the win column. Marcel Hartel’s brace was the difference-maker in a victory that ends a long drought dating back to May 31. They’re still lagging behind, but this win offers some hope.
28. CF Montréal
Previous Rank: 27
Result: Drew 1-1 vs Orlando City
Given their season so far, a draw here is not the worst outcome. They’ve collected seven points from their last five matches—a decent run compared to their previous form. Still, they remain far off the playoff picture and seem to be setting up for a longer-term rebuild.
27. LA Galaxy
Previous Rank: 30
Result: Beat D.C. United 2-1
Galaxy capitalized on D.C. United’s disarray to secure a much-needed victory. Marco Reus added to his tally, reinforcing his value as the team’s leader in attack. A long-shot playoff push isn’t out of the question just yet.
26. Atlanta United
Previous Rank: 25
Result: Drew 1-1 vs Toronto FC
Atlanta salvaged a point thanks to a stoppage-time penalty, but the bigger concern remains: what exactly is Ronny Deila doing to fix this squad? Latte Lath ended a long scoring drought, but this team is still way below expectations.
25. Toronto FC
Previous Rank: 26
Result: Drew 1-1 vs Atlanta United
A missed opportunity. Toronto should have claimed all three points, especially after controlling much of the game. Giving away a stoppage-time penalty cost them dearly—two points dropped that could be critical down the line.
24. FC Dallas
Previous Rank: 24
Result: Lost 2-0 to LAFC
Dallas were second-best from the first whistle. Only one shot on target and less than 40% possession tells the story. Eric Quill’s grip on the team looks shaky with just one win in their last 11.
23. Sporting Kansas City
Previous Rank: 23
Result: Lost 3-2 to Seattle Sounders
SKC showed fight, especially in the second half, but their early performance left too much ground to cover. On the bright side, Dejan Joveljic is in top form, scoring in eight straight starts.
22. Austin FC
Previous Rank: 17
Result: Drew 0-0 vs New England
Austin are in limbo. They’re not conceding much, but they’re not scoring either. The injury to Brandon Vazquez is a major blow and will only make things tougher in the weeks ahead.
21. New York Red Bulls
Previous Rank: 15
Result: Lost 2-0 to Philadelphia Union
Another lifeless performance from RBNY. They’ve now gone five games without a win, and a summer window makeover seems necessary if they want any shot at a postseason repeat.
20. New England Revolution
Previous Rank: 19
Result: Drew 0-0 vs Austin FC
Outshooting Austin didn’t translate into goals. New England are winless in six and the pressure is building on Caleb Porter. A once-promising campaign continues to lose steam.
19. Houston Dynamo
Previous Rank: 18
Result: Lost 1-0 to RSL
Despite creating plenty of chances, Houston came away with nothing. Ben Olsen will feel hard done by, but results are slipping. They’re now outside the playoff zone in the West.
18. Real Salt Lake
Previous Rank: 22
Result: Beat Houston 1-0
Willy Agada’s first-half strike was all RSL needed to claim another crucial win. With Diego Luna back in the squad and 10 points from their last 12, RSL look like a rising force.
17. Colorado Rapids
Previous Rank: 20
Result: Beat Vancouver 3-0
A statement win for Colorado, led by Djordje Mihailovic’s three assists. It’s only their second win in eight games, but if they can replicate this intensity, they could still climb.
16. Chicago Fire
Previous Rank: 16
Result: Lost 2-1 to San Diego FC
A third straight loss for Chicago, and a sobering reminder they’re not quite on the same level as the league’s elite. Hugo Cuypers scored again, but the team’s defensive lapses proved costly.
15. Charlotte FC
Previous Rank: 17
Result: Beat NYCFC 2-0
A timely win for Charlotte, especially with Patrick Agyemang likely departing. Idan Toklomati and Kerwin Vargas stepped up to deliver the goods and snap a five-match winless run.
14. NYCFC
Previous Rank: 12
Result: Lost 2-0 to Charlotte FC
A disappointing night, but there’s hope in the form of new DP signing Nicolás Fernández Mercau. He arrives with high expectations and could be a game-changer in the final third.
13. San Jose Earthquakes
Previous Rank: 14
Result: Lost 4-1 to Minnesota United
Possession without penetration—San Jose had the ball but couldn’t stop the Loons. A worrying defensive trend continues, with no clean sheets in six games.
12. Portland Timbers
Previous Rank: 13
Result: Lost 2-1 to St. Louis CITY SC
A letdown performance against one of the West’s bottom teams. Two soft goals conceded, and Phil Neville’s side couldn’t claw back. They remain in a playoff spot but can’t afford more slips like this.
11. Orlando City
Previous Rank: 11
Result: Drew 1-1 vs CF Montréal
Another missed opportunity. Luis Muriel’s goal drought stretches on, and without Duncan McGuire, Orlando’s attacking options look limited. A draw in this matchup won’t help their playoff push.
10. LAFC
Previous Rank: 10
Result: Beat FC Dallas 2-0
Three wins in four for LAFC, who seem to be finding their rhythm. Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz both scored, and there’s buzz about a major signing on the horizon.
9. Seattle Sounders
Previous Rank: 7
Result: Beat Sporting KC 3-2
A dominant first half was enough to get Seattle past SKC, despite a late scare. Goals from Morris, Rusnak, and Ferreira put them in control. They’ve climbed to fourth in the West.
8. Nashville SC
Previous Rank: 5
Result: Lost 2-1 to Inter Miami
An unfortunate goalkeeping error overshadowed what was otherwise a strong showing. Nashville matched Miami for most of the night but came up just short in a high-level contest.
7. FC Cincinnati
Previous Rank: 4
Result: Lost 4-2 to Columbus Crew
A brutal collapse in the Hell is Real derby. Up 2-0, FCC couldn’t hold on and conceded four unanswered. Their defensive unit simply couldn’t cope with the Crew’s pressure.
6. Vancouver Whitecaps
Previous Rank: 1
Result: Lost 3-0 to Colorado Rapids
Another game, another loss. Vancouver have now lost four of five and are fading fast. Their depth was tested by call-ups and injuries, but even with key players returning, they lacked bite.
5. Columbus Crew
Previous Rank: 8
Result: Beat FC Cincinnati 4-2
One of the best performances of the weekend. Columbus stormed back to win the Hell is Real derby behind an electric attacking display. Max Arfsten’s return was a key highlight.
4. Inter Miami
Previous Rank: 9
Result: Beat Nashville SC 2-1
When Messi’s playing like this, there’s little anyone can do. Five straight braces, 10 goals in five games—he’s rewriting the league record books and dragging Miami into Supporters’ Shield contention.
3. Minnesota United
Previous Rank: 6
Result: Beat San Jose Earthquakes 4-1
Set pieces and smart pressing lifted Minnesota to another big win. Eric Ramsay’s squad is flying, and they’ve jumped to second in the West despite only 36% possession on the day.
2. Philadelphia Union
Previous Rank: 3
Result: Beat New York Red Bulls 2-0
Early goals from Damiani and Vassilev sealed it. The Union snapped a mini skid and remain atop the East. With Baribo and Sullivan back, Philly look recharged and ready for the upcoming double gameweek.
1. San Diego FC
Previous Rank: 2
Result: Beat Chicago Fire 2-1
Anders Dreyer is on fire. The Danish attacker scored both goals in yet another commanding win, with Chucky Lozano assisting each time. San Diego are now sitting comfortably at the top of the West—and the league.
