With just six matches left for most teams, the MLS season is set to have a thrilling finish. Every point matters as clubs fight for playoff spots, home field advantage, or simply pride down the stretch. This week delivered no shortage of storylines — from dramatic late goals to statement wins and surprising upsets. Here are my biggest headlines from Matchday 30.

Big Stars Get First Goals

World Cup winner Thomas Muller and Premier League legend Son Heung-Min both scored their first goal for their new clubs in MLS.  Son opened his LAFC account with a beautiful goal off a free kick in just the 6th minute of his third MLS match.  The curler over the wall was good enough to win the MLS Goal of the Matchday.  On the other hand, Thomas Muller scored his first goal for Vancouver from the spot to win the match in the 104th minute.  After a controversial penalty call, Muller stepped up, like the World Cup champion he is, and put the ball in the top net.  This shows just how quickly world-class players can change the trajectory of an MLS club. Both have wasted no time making their mark—delivering goals, assists, and leadership that raise the level of everyone around them. 

Charlotte Making Moves

Don’t look now, but Charlotte is in 4th place in the Eastern Conference.  Last week, they were in 7th.  Charlotte has quietly been one of the best and most exciting teams in MLS.  After winning their seventh straight match, they surprisingly find themselves in a position to earn home field advantage in the playoffs. Wilfried Zaha has found his form and has been the leading contributor as of late with a total of 7 goals and 9 assists now on the season.  Charlotte was active in the summer transfer window bringing in striker Archie Goodwin from South Australia’s Adelaide United, and agreeing to sell defender Adilson Malanda to Middlesbrough, but keeping him with Charlotte on loan until the end of the season.  It seems as if Charlotte has got themselves in position to make a run at MLS Cup.  

Is it Time to Panic in Columbus?

With just one point in their last three matches, Columbus finds themselves in 7th place and fighting to stay above the wildcard spots.  The Crew suffered a rare home loss to former Columbus coach Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution this past Saturday.  This marked New England’s first win against Columbus since May 16th, 2021.  The Eastern Conference is filled with good teams and dropping points at home in the final stretch could be the difference between having homefield advantage in the playoffs or not.  The Crew’s new #9 that was brought in this summer from the iconic Egyptian club Al Ahly, Wessam Abou Ali, made his debut in the second half of the match and showed positive involvement.  Columbus has struggled to finish their chances throughout the season so they will need him to settle in and start providing goal contributions quickly if they want to make a run at MLS Cup.  

Is Orlando City a Legit Contender?

Can Orlando City go on a run and win MLS Cup? I think the answer is yes.  But wait, didn’t they just lose to Nashville 1-5? Well, yes, but, Orlando has been balancing a Leagues Cup run on top of MLS play and sometimes a loaded schedule will catch up to you.  So what is it that makes Orlando City a contender?  It’s quite simple with them, they will score more goals than their opponent.  As of today, Orlando City is tied with Inter Miami for most goals scored in the league with 54 goals.  Their attack is led by a trio of designated players, Luis Muriel, Martín Ojeda, and Marco Pašalić who have combined for an incredible 57 goal contributions.  Their attack is backed by a solid defensive unit and a tactical manager in Oscar Peraja.  If Orlando City can snag one of the top 4 spots in a competitive Eastern Conference, they will be one to watch for to go on a run in the playoffs.  

Expansion Team Leads Supporters Shield Race

Perhaps one of the most compelling stories of the MLS season is the immediate success of expansion club San Diego FC.  In their first season as an MLS club, San Diego leads the league in points and find themselves in position to win the Supporters Shield – something that has never been done by an expansion team in their inaugural season in MLS history.  Led by designated players Chucky Lozano and Anders Dreyer, San Diego’s high-flying attack has racked up a whopping 52 goals on the season.  So how can a brand new club have so much success so quickly?  It’s kind of just the perfect combination of everything.  They have real difference makers on their team, they have good depth with a lot of youth, they have a tactical manager that is in the running for coach of the year, and they have passionate supporters that has fueled this team with incredible energy and atmospheres.  Put that all together, and why can’t they be the first team to win the Supporters Shield in their inaugural season?