As we come to the midpoint of the 2025 MLS season, many preseason expectations have been flipped on their heads.
In both conferences, clubs that were written off or ignored in February are soaring, while some of those expected to be real contenders are stumbling.
The Eastern Conference is being dominated by an unlikely powerhouse, while out West a perennial underdog and a brand new expansion team are shocking everyone.
Elsewhere, big spending franchises and even the reigning champions are languishing at the bottom of the table.
Lets check in on the best and worst performing teams of the 2025 season so far.
Eastern Conference Surprise Contenders
Philadelphia Union
Probably the biggest surprise contenders of 2025 are Philly Union.
They came 12th and missed the playoffs in 2024, and MLS staff predictions had them faring no better this time around, estimating another 12th place finish.
However, new manager Bradley Carnell came in with his high pressing philosophy and has lit a fire under them. It’s been a remarkable turnaround, with the Union storming to first place winning 10 games of 17 and only losing 3.
They currently have 34 points and a 4 point lead, although Inter Miami have a game in hand which could narrow that lead to just 2 points.
Still, with a youthful squad already performing so well, and a new coach who seems to fit like a glove, the future looks bright.
Nashville SC
Also defying expectations are Nashville SC.
2024 was their worst season since joining the league, with a miserable 13th place finish. Most had them pegged to do better this season, but many expected them to miss the playoffs again, perhaps finishing somewhere around 10th.
However, here we are in June and they sit 4th in the table with 29 points from 8 wins and 5 draws.
There is very little breathing room around them though, and a few bad results could see them tumble towards the danger zone, but as things stand, they seem to have reinvented themselves.
Long known as a defence first, counter attacking side, head coach B.J. Callaghan now has them paying attractive, flowing, attacking football, adding more offensive set pieces, and it’s paying off.
East Conference Underperformers
Atlanta United
I just want @ATLUTD to consistently be good again.
— Travis (@TSavage077) May 29, 2025
No team in the Eastern Conference has fallen shorter of pre-season expectations that Atlanta United.
They were hotly fancied to finish in the top 3 after a $50 million winter spending spree on attacking talent, not to mention the appointment of an MLS Cup winning coach, Ronny Deila. But they currently have a goal difference of -9 with just 4 wins and 17 points from 17 games.
The Five Stripes tripped out of the gates at the start of the season and have been stumbling to regain their balance ever since.
That expensive front line isn’t clicking and there is no balance in midfield. In fact, Atlanta have not produced a single convincing 90-minute performance all season.
The pressure is building too, with Atlanta having one of the largest and most vocal supporter bases in the league. Yet they could go down as the biggest flops of the season.
CF Montréal
Let’s be honest, no one was expecting Montréal to smash it out of the park this season, everyone knew they would struggle. But not even the most pessimistic Montrealer could have foreseen the calamity their season has been so far.
They suffered their worst start to the season since joining MLS in 2012, not only failing to win a game until May, but almost failing to score as well.
With a grand total of 12 goals, 1 win, 5 draws, 11 losses and just 8 points, they are almost certain to finish the season in their current position – last.
Things started so badly for them that their head coach, Laurent Courtois, was sacked just five games into the season, but the Quebec side are still without a full time replacement and have not improved since.
To be fair they have had some injury issues and a brutal opening schedule (7 straight games on the road), but still. Wow.
Western Conference Clubs Exceeding Expectations
Vancouver Whitecaps
Who would have thought the Vancouver Whitecaps would be genuine Supporter’s Shield contenders in 2025?
Literally no one through their name into the conversation pre-season, but here we are, the Whitecaps 2 points clear at the top of the Western Conference and with two games in hand as well.
If they win those two games, that would give them an eight point lead.
Under new head coach Jesper Sørensen, the Caps have been a revelation. He has moulded them into a confident, organised unit in record time. They can attack and defend well, and their young midfield seems to be coming into its own.
They aren’t just turning heads domestically, either. In their debut CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign they made it all the way to the final, and even knocked out Mexican powerhouse Monterrey. Alright, they were slaughtered 5-0 by Cruz Azul in the final, but they got there.
If they can maintain this form, there is a high chance of silverware for Vancouver this season.
San Diego FC
I suppose inaugural seasons could go better than San Diego’s, but not much.
Many people predicted the typical growing pains other expansion clubs have faced, especially given their head coach, 30 year old Mikey Varas, had no experience and their squad was still under construction.
Yet the Southern Californian team started the season fearless and highly competitive.
They have improved as the season has gone on too, now sitting in joint 2nd place with Minnesota United, having won 30 points from 9 wins and 3 draws.
This puts them firmly in playoff territory even if things start to slide, but with Varas’ clear, upbeat game model that seems unlikely. The team play with a cohesiveness that belies their status as newcomers, and they have quickly established themselves as no pushovers.
Western Conference Falling Short
LA Galaxy
Good grief, how far the mighty have fallen.
Watching the LA Galaxy collapse before my very eyes after winning the MLS Cup last season is like a car crash. You want to look away but you just have to keep watching.
A top 3 finish was not an outlandish prediction pre-season, but instead, they have endured the worst ever start by a defending champion and are not only last in the Western Conference, but in the overall standings too.
They have a measly 7 points from 17 games.
So what went wrong? Well, the departure of several key players including their captain, Gastón Brugman, who went to Nashville, didn’t help. Squad depth has been tested by injuries, and head coach Greg Vanney has had to deal with a very busy schedule which compounded issues.
Even with that it mind though, they should be doing better than this.
Real Salt Lake
Slumming it in 13th place, Real Salt Lake are another team that have fallen short so far.
They were increasingly mentioned as dark horse contenders in pre-season predictions, having finished 3rd last year and with some bright young talents starting to come through.
However, failure to strengthen the squad in the off-season has seen the team struggle defensively, and after an embarrassing CONCACAF Champions Cup defeat at home to Costa Rica’s Herediano, their confidence plummeted.
An ownership change also seems to have further unsettled things in Utah.
Late game collapses have been the culprit of several RSL defeats, and Pablo Mastroeni seems to be losing his grip, despite coaching the team successfully since 2021.
They are only 7 points away from a playoff spot, but with just 16 goals scored and 4 wins all season, they will have to work very hard to close that gap in the time they have left.