2025 MLS Regular Season: Playoff Picture Comes Into Focus

Jonathan Turner
Oct 6
3 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

2025 MLS Regular Season: Playoff Picture Comes Into Focus

By National Soccer Network

As the 2025 Major League Soccer season nears its conclusion, the playoff race has taken shape on both sides of the league, with several familiar faces returning to contention and new challengers emerging across the country.

Eastern Conference: Philadelphia Sets the Standard

The Philadelphia Union have been the class of the East from start to finish, securing the Supporters’ Shield with 66 points and a league-best 20 wins. Anchored by a stingy defense that allowed just 33 goals—the fewest in MLS

—Philadelphia posted a dominant home record (12-1-4) and carried that consistency on the road.

Right behind them, FC Cincinnati continued their rise as an MLS powerhouse with 62 points, while Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi’s record-breaking season, finished third on 59 points. Messi’s 72 goals scored by the club are the most in MLS, as the Argentine star has rewritten the league’s offensive record books.

Charlotte FC has quietly built one of the most balanced squads in the East, finishing tied with New York City FC on 56 points, while Nashville SC and Orlando City remain dangerous dark horses entering the postseason.

The final playoff spot went to Chicago Fire, who edged Columbus Crew by a single point (52–51). Chicago’s late-season surge was fueled by a revitalized attack that scored 66 goals—second only to Miami in the conference.

Western Conference: Expansion San Diego Tops the West

Few could have predicted it, but the debut campaign for San Diego FC will go down as one of the most successful expansion seasons in MLS history. Sitting atop the Western Conference with 60 points (18-9-6), San Diego rode an electric attack and one of the best road records in the league (11-4-1) to a playoff berth in their inaugural season.

Vancouver Whitecaps matched San Diego in points (60) but played one fewer game, boasting the league’s top goal differential (+28) and one of the most fluid attacking units in MLS. Minnesota United and LAFC rounded out the top four, both surpassing the 55-point mark while combining for more than 115 goals.

Seattle Sounders, Austin FC, and Portland Timbers claimed the final three playoff slots, setting up a fierce West bracket. Austin overcame a rocky start to earn their postseason return, while Seattle’s mix of experience and youth made them one of the league’s most balanced sides.

Playoff Heartbreak & Disappointment

In both conferences, several perennial contenders fell short.

The New York Red Bulls missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
Houston Dynamo, St. Louis City, and Sporting Kansas City were officially eliminated in the West, each plagued by defensive inconsistency.
The LA Galaxy, once a dynasty, finished bottom of the West with only five wins and a league-worst 64 goals conceded.
Atlanta United and D.C. United suffered similar fates in the East, finishing 14th and 15th respectively.

Looking Ahead: Playoffs Promise Fireworks

With the postseason field nearly set, the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs promise compelling matchups across both conferences:

In the East, all eyes will be on Messi’s Miami and the relentless Union defense.
Out West, San Diego’s dream debut and Vancouver’s attacking firepower headline a crowded field of contenders.