Sep 27, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New York City FC forward Nicolas Fernandez (7) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first half against the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
HARRISON, NJ — Not only does New York remain decidedly blue, but NYCFC just dealt one of the final hammer blows to their arch-rival’s playoff hopes.
Thiago Martins’ 65th-minute conversion lifted NYCFC to a 3-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The result momentarily moved NYCFC into third place in the Eastern Conference ahead of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. However, Messi and Co. still have two games in hand due to Club World Cup duties in July.
Bolstering their standing in the playoff picture is but a consolation to the main prize, as they have relegated the Red Bulls to the very present danger of missing the MLS playoffs for the first time in 16 years.
With the loss, Sandro Schwarz’s men have two games left to play this season and remain tantalizingly close behind the Chicago Fire, which holds the final Eastern Conference playoff berth in ninth. But it has a game in hand and led the Columbus Crew at the final whistle in New Jersey, potentially increasing its advantage to five points over the Red Bulls (43 points).
Seventeen-year-old Julian Hall’s first MLS goal of the season in the 23rd minute canceled out NYCFC’s immediate opener in the second minute through Nicolas Fernandez, only for Andres Perea’s remarkable header to restore the Pigeons’ lead just three minutes later.
Much like NYCFC’s quick snatch in the first half, the Red Bulls replicated it in the second through Forsberg. Goalkeeper Matt Freese’s turnover allowed Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who assisted both Red Bulls goals on Saturday night, to go down the right wing with acres of space. His cut-back pass at the top of the box was cannoned home by the right foot of the Red Bulls’ captain two minutes into the second stanza.
Red Bulls’ desperation, however, was not nearly enough, as they were outmatched for the majority of the final 30 minutes by NYCFC — save for the final frantic moments — who had the lion’s share of the final chances.
Fernandez put the Pigeons up inside two minutes, on the visitors’ very first chance of the night. A cut-back ball from Justin Haak at the top of the box played the Argentinian in, and he finished with his left foot just inside Carlos Coronel’s right post.
NYCFC’s lead lasted just 15 minutes amid ceaseless pressure from a desperate Red Bulls side. The 17-year-old Hall, making just his fourth start in MLS play this season, picked up his first league goal of the campaign when he poked a cross from Choupo Moting inside the near post.
City punched right back, though, needing just three minutes to do so, and practically out of nothing. A left-footed cross from Raul Gustavo, which looked too low and quick to do anything with, was somehow turned toward goal by Perea, who managed to get his head around it.
The looping attempt stunned Coronel, who was nearly eight yards outside of his goal and initially rooted to his spot as the chance fell from the heavens. He could only stagger a few paces as it nestled into the back of the net.
Forsberg nearly came away with a carbon copy of his goal in the 79th minute to equalize, when a cutback pass found him at the top of the box, but his attempt was blocked by NYCFC defender Tayvon Gray before it could get to backup keeper Tomas Romero, who came in for an injured Freese in the 65th minute.
Alexander Hack came within inches of an equalizer in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, but his header off a free kick that flashed across the goal line was cleared by Kevin O’Toole and into the grateful arms of Romero.
For more on the Red Bulls and NYCFC, visit AMNY.com
The city’s blue-collar identity, deep traditions, and famously passionate fans make rivalries feel less like games on a schedule and more like battles for civic pride.
While every sports town has its grudges, Philadelphia’s run deeper, often defined by history, geography, and raw emotion.
From Cowboys week in the NFL to Flyers – Penguins hockey wars, these rivalries are woven into the DNA of Philly sports culture.
Eagles vs. Cowboys
If you ask a Philadelphia sports fan what week matters most on the NFL calendar, the answer is almost always “Dallas week”. The Eagles-Cowboys rivalry isn’t just about football; it’s cultural. Dallas, with its glitzy “America’s Team” image, has long stood as the antithesis of Philadelphia’s gritty, hard-working ethos.
The rivalry heated up in the 1970s, when both teams regularly fought for NFC supremacy. It reached new levels in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Buddy Ryan’s Eagles embraced a tough, bruising style perfectly tailored for taking on the star-studded Cowboys. Fans still talk about the infamous “Bounty Bowl” games of 1989, when tensions between the franchises turned downright nasty.
Even today, no matter the records, Eagles fans mark Cowboys week with extra energy. A win over Dallas feels sweeter than most, while a loss lingers longer than it should.
The rivalry between NFL teams can be quite heated and precious to not just the fans but also the ownerships, given the amount of money in the sport. It is one of the biggest sports in America, generating the most revenue; therefore, it isn’t just a case of winning or losing against your rival, there’s huge monetary value behind each win! Just like when it comes to NFL betting. Fans, like owners, put their money into backing their team, which gives the fixture that extra bit of excitement for them. The NFL is one of the most popular sports to bet on in America. When first starting out, to lower your risks of losing your own money and at the same time being able to perhaps maximise your winnings, which helps with additional funds, you should take a look at WSN and their sports betting bonuses. These help massively when placing your own bets and give you more to play around with.
Phillies vs. Mets
PHOTO: Connor Gan/Unsplash
On the diamond, the Phillies’ fiercest rivalry has often been with their neighbors to the north: the New York Mets. Though the two franchises have had different stretches of dominance, the overlap has fueled bitter seasons.
The rivalry really took off in the mid-2000s, when both clubs were loaded with talent and competing for NL East crowns. Who could forget Jimmy Rollins declaring the Phillies the “team to beat” in 2007 – only to watch Philadelphia storm past the Mets after New York collapsed in historic fashion down the stretch? That moment alone cemented a new level of hostility between fan bases.
Games at Citizens Bank Park still draw throngs of Mets fans making the trip down I-95, leading to loud, divided crowds and playoff-like atmospheres even in the regular season.
Flyers vs. Penguins
If Cowboys week defines football in Philly, Flyers–Penguins define hockey. This Pennsylvania rivalry isn’t just about geography – it’s about identity. The Flyers, known historically for their physical “Broad Street Bullies” brand of hockey, have clashed for decades with the Penguins, a team often built around flashy superstars like Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.
The rivalry has produced some of the NHL’s most unforgettable moments. The 2012 playoff series between the teams was a wild, high-scoring affair full of fights, bad blood, and momentum swings. Fans on both sides still point to that series as peak Flyers-Penguins chaos.
For Philadelphia fans, beating Pittsburgh isn’t just about standings – it’s about reminding the state that grit and toughness still matter. The Penguins may have more recent Cups, but Flyers fans wear their hatred like a badge of honor.
76ers vs. Celtics
Basketball in Philadelphia has its own historic rivalry: Sixers vs. Celtics. Dating back to the Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell battles of the 1960s, this matchup has often determined Eastern Conference supremacy.
The intensity carried through the Julius Erving and Larry Bird years in the 1980s, with playoff battles that shaped NBA history. More recently, the Joel Embiid-led Sixers have faced the Celtics in several playoff series, often coming up short. Each postseason defeat only deepens the hunger for revenge.
For fans, there’s an extra sting when Boston is involved. The cities themselves compete culturally and historically, so when the Sixers finally topple the Celtics in a big series, it will feel like more than just a basketball win – it will feel like payback decades in the making.
Union vs. Red Bulls
Philadelphia’s MLS franchise, the Union, may not yet have the century-long history of the other teams, but its rivalry with the New York Red Bulls has grown fast. The two clubs’ proximity and regular playoff meetings have created a spirited competition.
Union fans, known as the Sons of Ben, bring the same Philly energy to Subaru Park, chanting loudly and making sure Red Bulls matches feel hostile for the visitors. It may not yet rival Eagles-Cowboys in intensity, but given time, it’s a rivalry that could blossom into one of Major League Soccer’s most passionate.
Why Rivalries Matter So Much in Philly
What makes these rivalries so special isn’t just the history or the stakes – it’s the fans. Philadelphia supporters carry victories like personal triumphs and defeats like personal insults. Rivalries become part of the city’s identity, passed down through generations.
A child who grows up hearing their parents curse the Cowboys, boo the Penguins, or yell at Mets fans in the stands is bound to inherit that same fire.
In Philadelphia, rivalries aren’t just about the teams; they’re about representing the city itself.
Every time the Eagles beat Dallas, or the Flyers take down Pittsburgh, fans feel like they’ve defended their home turf and proved the city’s toughness all over again.
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Bradley Carnell has turned the Union from a team in crisis to a contender.
With the playoffs secured and silverware in sight, the question now is whether his tactical edge and experience can finally deliver the MLS Cup to Philadelphia.
Bradley Carnell arrived in Philadelphia in January after the club’s worst campaign in seven years, limping to 12th place and, in doing so, did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The remit for the South African, as he replaced Jim Curtin, was simple: get the Union back to the postseason.
Reading Between the Odds
Nine months later, Carnell has exceeded expectations. The Union are virtually assured of a playoff spot and are favorites to win the Eastern Conference at +225. They’re also among the frontrunners for the MLS Cup in the latest betting odds at +1000, with only four clubs priced shorter. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami currently leads the outright market at +450.
What makes those numbers intriguing is the dynamic they reveal. Philadelphia are fancied to top the East, yet Miami are expected to be more dangerous once the playoffs begin. That belief stems from the experience and quality of Miami’s roster, players who have navigated the biggest stages, from Champions League finals to World Cup triumphs. For Carnell and his Union squad, proving those markets wrong will be the ultimate test.
Carnell’s Road to Philadelphia
If you want to judge whether Carnell has the credentials to take the Union all the way, his coaching record speaks for itself. Before stepping into the dugout in Chester, Carnell had already built a decade of coaching experience across MLS and abroad. He cut his teeth as an assistant at the New York Red Bulls, where he learned under Jesse Marsch and later Chris Armas, before stepping up as interim boss in 2020. In that short stint, he kept the Red Bulls’ playoff streak alive, showing a steady hand under pressure.
The Red Bull Blueprint
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You can see the Red Bull school in his work. From Marsch, Carnell has kept the ideas and philosophies that translate well in MLS: win the ball high, attack forward early, stay compact between the lines, then counterpress to keep opponents pinned in. It’s not just energy for the sake of it. The spacing is tight, the triggers are clear, and the first forward pass after a regain is encouraged rather than delayed.
A Squad Built to Execute
That framework fits the squad. Andre Blake, despite currently nursing a hamstring injury, remains the anchor of the group, bringing presence and clean decision-making that few MLS keepers can match. Key centre-back Jakob Glesnes, who recently signed a long-term contract, gives the defense stability and leadership. On the left flank, Kai Wagner delivers quality service that turns pressure into chances. In front of him, Quinn Sullivan adds energy and creativity in the attacking third.
Up front, Tai Baribo has given Carnell a willing runner to stretch teams and a focal point when the press forces mistakes. The latest markets list him at +1600 for the Golden Boot, making him a realistic contender but still some way behind Messi, who leads the race at -110. The roster has also been refreshed, with pieces like Jovan Lukic in midfield and Ben Bender adding depth and end product. Put together, it looks like a group built to execute the plan week after week, which bodes well for the autumn playoffs if Carnell can count on a clean bill of health.
Lessons from St. Louis
Carnell’s biggest breakthrough came in St. Louis, where he was handed the keys to a brand-new franchise and guided CITY SC to a record-breaking debut season in 2023. That campaign delivered a Western Conference top seed and wins that turned a fledgling team into a force. Results dipped the following year, leading to his exit midway through the 2024 season, but the experience of building a competitive roster from scratch added another layer to his coaching profile.
A Player’s Pedigree
Carnell’s playing career adds further weight to his credibility. A former Bafana Bafana left-back, he spent more than a decade in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Hansa Rostock, earning over 40 caps for South Africa and representing his country at the 2002 World Cup. That background at the top level of European soccer gives him an authority in the locker room that few MLS managers can match.
Philly’s Hope for Silverware
Since arriving in Philadelphia, Carnell has turned potential into results. His Union side plays with intensity and discipline, a reflection of the high-pressing philosophy he has refined throughout his coaching journey. It’s why the team has climbed back into the conversation as genuine contenders, and why fans at Subaru Park believe this could finally be the year the Union bring home an MLS Cup.
Whatever happens over the next few months, Carnell has already delivered on part of his promise. He has made the sun shine in Philadelphia again by giving the city a team it can be proud of. With silverware now within touching distance, the mild-mannered South African with a fierce competitive streak won’t be content with simply changing the mood.
Every waking minute will be spent chasing that first MLS Cup, so the rest of Philly can share in the moment.
Aug 16, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (13) celebrates the goal by defender Dylan Nealis (12) during the second half against the Philadelphia Union at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
For a team dawdling at the outskirts of Major League Soccer’s playoff picture, the New York Red Bulls’ work during the month-long summer transfer window does not suggest they are all-in on extending their streak of 15-straight postseason appearances or building on their surprise run to the 2024 Eastern Conference title and an appearance in the MLS Cup Final, which they lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Instead, there were bare-bones moves rather than legitimate difference-makers. Veteran Swedish holding midfielder Gustav Berggren was brought in from Poland to replace Felipe Carballo, and he still has not debuted for New York despite signing on July 23 because of visa issues that were finally resolved on Thursday.
Young Costa Rican winger Andy Rojas completed his move from Herediano after a loan spell with the Red Bulls’ reserve team, where he will likely see most of his action rather than with the first team.
Hours before the transfer window closed on Thursday, they executed a savvy trade to bring in veteran goalkeeper John McCarthy from Los Angeles, in which the Galaxy is eating more than $400,000 of his salary, per a source. He will serve as the backup to Carlos Coronel after No. 2 keeper AJ Marcucci went down with a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago.
None of it addresses the continued need for help up front to create a reliable and feared attack alongside striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Former German international Timo Werner had been in talks with New York for months to potentially move to MLS from its sister club in the Bundesliga, RB Leipzig. But salary demands caused negotiations to fall through — a sizable miss for the Red Bulls even with the 29-year-old’s downturn in play in recent years. Even with struggles at Leipzig and Tottenham during a disastrous loan spell in England, Werner still has the attributes to dominate in the United States
Even more of an indictment surrounding the Werner whiff was the lack of a legitimate backup plan. The Red Bulls did nothing to bolster their offensive ranks, and they will have to rely on the return of Scottish international Lewis Morgan — a natural winger who is on the cusp of returning from a quad injury — and 20-year-old Ghanaian Mohammed Sofo for the stretch run.
Entering Sunday night’s clash with Charlotte FC, New York has seven games left this season and sits in the ninth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Philadelphia Union were in control of their destiny. However, after a disappointing loss against the New York Red Bulls, the Union’s grasp on the Supporters’ Shield is slipping.
What Went Wrong in New York
Entering the match Saturday, the Union had just defeated the Red Bulls 3-2 in the US Open Cup on Wednesday. Despite that, the Union could not get anything going against their rival. Both teams featured different starting 11s from their meeting earlier in the week. Unfortunately, it seems it was another week where Bradley Carnell chose squad rotation over chasing trophies.
The Union did not put their best team on the field, and it cost them. To make matters worse, the Union lost Andre Blake to a hamstring injury mid-game as well.
The bigger issue is that if Tai Baribo isn’t scoring goals, the offense has been a snoozefest. New addition Milan Iloski is still getting his feet wet with the Union. But if Chris Donovan is the best guy you have off the bench when you need a goal, then your team will not sniff a trophy.
The Union has dropped points on multiple weeks now since Bradley Carnell has chosen squad rotation. With just 7 matches left in the MLS season, the Union cannot afford any more slip-ups if they want to grab their second Supporters’ Shield in club history.
Where the Standings Sit Now
Unfortunately, the Union now sits 3rd in the Supporters Shield race. They sit 1 point behind Cincinnati and San Diego for the top spot. The Union’s Shield hopes ultimately lie in the next 3 MLS games. They face Chicago at home in a must-win game. Then, they got on the road back-to-back against Cincinnati and Vancouver.
If the Union can manage at the very least 7 points from that stretch, then they may have a chance at the Shield. However, a loss to Cincinnati would all but close the door on the Union’s hopes.
However, as always, a GOAT is lurking in the shadows. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami still have their 3 games in hand. If Miami wins out, they run away with the shield, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Taking a look at Miami’s schedule, while it is very crowded, it is far from the hardest we have ever seen.
What Can the Union Do?
The Union can still run the “American Treble”. Meaning they grab the Supporters Shield, MLS Cup, and US Open Cup, in one season. However, that reality gets bleaker by the day. Besides, the fact that we are nearing September and the Union is vying for all the trophies is a shock considering the state of the team heading into the season.
The ball ultimately falls in Bradley Carnell’s lap. This is not Carnell’s first rodeo with an overperforming team. We all saw him take St Louis to the top of the Western Conference in their first-ever MLS season just a few years ago. Now, he finds himself in a similar situation.
While grabbing all 3 trophies is unlikely, the most interesting aspect is which ones the Union chase the most. If the last few weeks tell us anything, the Supporters Shield is likely at the bottom of the list. Next, being the US Open Cup and the MLS Cup is the number one goal.
When it comes to a team that has a fairly bare trophy case, beggars can’t be choosers. Any trophy that comes out of what was supposed to be a rebuild year will be a welcome sight and achievement. It is up to Bradley Carnell to ensure they stay on track and not leave 2025 empty-handed.
The curtain has come down on the 2022 MLS regular season, with 14 teams now preparing to contest the MLS Cup playoffs and another 14 waiting to watch them from home. There will be sides in both of those camps that likely are surprised to find themselves in the positions they occupy, for better or worse; such has been the unpredictable-as-ever nature of this campaign.
Few could’ve predicted Austin FC would be near the top of the Western Conference after a ho-hum inaugural season, while the New England Revolution following up a record-setting 2021 by missing the playoffs would’ve been met with similarly long odds eight months ago. That LAFC and the Philadelphia Union fought over the Supporters’ Shield all season, that was perhaps less surprising.
To definitively explain how these teams performed in 2022, ESPN asked Jeff Carlisle, Kyle Bonagura, Bill Connelly, Cesar Hernandez and Austin Lindberg to think back to the start of the year, consider each team’s expectations and deliver a final letter grade for all 28 sides.
Record: 10W-10D-14L Standing: 40 points, 11th in the East Grade: F
Based on points, Atlanta wasn’t the worst team in MLS, but considering the fact that its payroll of $21 million was the highest in MLS, combined with the fact that it finished 23rd out of 28 teams in the full league table, a failing grade is appropriate.
Sure, the numbers provided by the MLSPA don’t paint a complete picture. Season-ending injuries to the likes of defender Miles Robinson, midfielder Ozzie Alonso and goalkeeper Brad Guzan didn’t help. Neither did the continued drama surrounding striker Josef Martinez, but there was still enough talent on this team to at least get into the playoffs, and the Five Stripes didn’t get it done. The 2023 campaign is shaping up to be a put up or shut up year for manager Gonzalo Pineda. — Carlisle
Record: 16W-8D-10L Standing: 56 points, 2nd in West Grade: A-
FiveThirtyEight gave them a 31% chance of making the playoffs before the season and listed them as one of six teams with a less than 1% chance of winning the MLS Cup. But their early play was so strong that they had all but locked up a playoff spot by July, and now only LAFC, Philadelphia and Montreal have demonstrably better title odds.
They wobbled over the final month, losing five of their last 10, and we’ll see what legs they have left for the playoffs, especially in defense. But they’re here. Sebastian Driussi finished with 22 goals and seven assists in a possible MVP season, Diego Fagundez had six goals and 15 assists, and all in all, Austin FC enjoyed a miraculous second season. — Connelly
Record: 13W-3D-18L Standing: 42 points, 9th in East Grade: B+
They were top-3 in attendance, and thanks to a late hot streak they weren’t eliminated from the playoff race until the final week of their debut season. (And they pulled that off with an interim coach, Christian Lattanzio leading the way for more than half the season.) That is a success story in and of itself.
In the end, they just didn’t have enough firepower. They were 21st in goals scored — only Karol Swiderski hit double digits for the season — and opponents attempted far more shots than they did. But you can see the makings of a proper possession club here, and it will be interesting to see how they attempt to build on that this coming offseason. — Connelly
Record: 10W-9D-15L Standing: 39 points, 12th in East Grade: C-
There was a significant amount to feel positive about in the Windy City in 2022. Xherdan Shaqiri accumulated 18 direct goal contributions in his first season in the league, 18-year-old Gabriel Slonina emerged as one of the brightest goalkeeping prospects in recent memory (and subsequently sealed a transfer to Chelsea in the process), and 18-year-old forward Jhon Duran‘s debut campaign was so impressive (eight goals and three assists in just 1,274 minutes) that he earned a senior call-up with Colombia.
And yet, despite all that momentum, the Fire still finished 12th in the Eastern Conference and were eliminated from playoff contention with two matchdays left in the regular season. If Chicago’s reward for their promise in 2022 is the transfer fee generated by Slonina’s exit (and potentially Duran’s, too, with Chelsea and Liverpool credited with interest), then it’s hard to escape the conclusion that the club is facing another season of rebuilding in 2023. — Lindberg
Record: 12W-13D-9L Standing: 49 points, 5th in East Grade: A+
Qualifying for the playoffs for the very first time after spending the previous three seasons with the worst record in MLS? Not bad from FCC. It took until Decision Day and a result over bottom-of-the-table D.C. United, but Cincinnati made a statement with a 5-2 victory in the final weekend of the regular season.
The rebuild project under general manager Chris Albright and head coach Pat Noonan has undoubtedly been a success in 2022. They may not last long in the playoffs with their fragile defense, but they’ll be fun to watch if attack-minded players such as Brandon Vazquez, Luciano Acosta and Brenner continue to step up. — Hernandez
Record: 11W-10D-13L Standing: 43 points, 10th in West Grade: C-
A year after topping the Western Conference with 61 points, the Rapids swiftly fell back into obscurity. Only one team in the conference (San Jose) allowed more than the 57 goals conceded by Colorado, which gave up just 35 a year ago.
At the most basic level, the regression is easy to understand. Over the last year-plus, the Rapids have lost midfielders Kellyn Acosta and Cole Bassett and defenders Sam Vines and Auston Trusty without coming close to replacing them with players at the same level. The most high-profile acquisition was striker Gyasi Zardes, who in 26 matches scored nine goals. However, the Rapids won just twice in his first 11 appearances, which derailed the season by the middle of the summer. — Bonagura
Record: 10W-16D-8L Standing: 46 points, 8th in East Grade: C-
Is this a good time to bring up the fact that head coach Caleb Porter said, “I’d bet my house” on Columbus making the playoffs?
Needing at least a tie on Decision Day to earn a playoff spot after failing to qualify last year, the Crew tripped over themselves once again through a 2-1 loss to Orlando. The defeat, which featured a second half game winner for Orlando from Facundo Torres, felt indicative of a Columbus squad that has become accustomed to closing out games all season.
Questions will need to be answered by Porter, who often found himself stuck in draws and narrow results. Over the past year, it’s difficult to say that much progress has been made by the players or the coach. — Hernandez
Record: 7W-6D-21L Standing: 27 points, 14th in East Grade: F
The District was a case study in Murphy’s Law in 2022. Paul Arriola was transferred to Dallas, where he enjoyed a career year; Julian Gressel was shipped to Vancouver, where his rate of a direct goal contribution every 346 minutes was slashed to one every 220; manager Hernan Losada was fired; new coach Wayne Rooney finished the year with a 2W-3D-8L record; and star forward Taxi Fountas is being investigated for using a racial slur in a loss to Miami last month.
This was a season when D.C. were meant to establish themselves as postseason contenders. Little more than seven months after the campaign began, it’s hard to name a club further away from contention. — Lindberg
Record: 14W-11D-9L Standing: 53 points, 3rd in West Grade: B+
In his first season with the club, manager Nico Estevez has been decisive in the efforts that have helped Dallas return to the playoffs after missing out in 2021. With only 37 goals allowed all season and important saves from Maarten Paes, Dallas’ defensive prowess was influential in their top-third finish in the Western Conference table.
Which isn’t to say that their frontline should be ignored. Twenty-one-year-old USMNT striker Jesus Ferreira was one of the best in the league with his 18 goals and six assists. In support, others such as Paul Arriola, Alan Velasco and Sebastian Lletget also stepped up in crucial moments. — Hernandez
Record: 10W-6D-18L Standing: 36 points, 13th in West Grade: D
The growing pains of a new era? Even with majority owner Ted Segal taking charge since 2021 through front-office hirings (including a first-ever role for a technical director) and the marquee signing of Mexican international Hector Herrera, nobody was able to halt a dismal run of form that led to a failure to qualify for the playoffs and the firing of head coach Paulo Nagamura.
Nagamura’s replacement will be tasked with not only finding the right combination to work with Herrera, but also reviving a team that hasn’t earned a playoff invitation since 2017.
Record: 14W-6D-14L Standing: 48 points, 6th in East Grade: B
Inter woke up! After finishing 10th and 11th in the East, respectively, in their first two seasons of existence, Phil Neville’s squad looked well on the way to making it three straight playoff-free years before turning on the jets. After August 1, they generated more points than any MLS team besides Montreal, nearly succumbing to a late-August funk but rallying — thanks in part to one last hot streak from retiring striker Gonzalo Higuain — to snare the No. 6 seed in the Eastern playoffs.
This is neither a young nor particularly creative team, but making the postseason was the goal and they did so. — Connelly
Record: 21W-4D-9L Standing: 67 points, 1st in West Grade: A
After compiling an 18-4-3 record, LAFC’s procession to the Supporters’ Shield took a minor detour at one point. But a 1-4-1 stretch run raised all kinds of questions, such as if adding the likes of Gareth Bale, Denis Bouanga and Giorgio Chiellini might have unsettled the squad with the playoffs approaching. Philadelphia, all of a sudden, was in with a shout of catching the Black-and-Gold, but timely wins against Houston and Portland allowed LAFC to finish with a kick and claim the Shield.
Considering that this side missed the playoffs last year and underwent a considerable overhaul in terms of personnel, it’s an impressive accomplishment for the club and first-year manager Steve Cherundolo. Now the MLS Cup beckons. — Carlisle
Record: 14W-8D-12L Standing: 50 points, 4th in West Grade: B
What a second half of the year for the Galaxy. At the All-Star break point, they were floundering in ninth place in the Western Conference, with the postseason not worth discussing. Since then, the conversation has changed. Los Angeles rose all the way to fourth in the conference to earn a home playoff game (Nashville, Oct. 15) and are very much among the contenders to win the whole thing.
A lot of that turnaround has be credited to the acquisition of Riqui Puig. In his 10 appearances (9 starts), the Galaxy is 4-5-1 and he contributed eight goal contributions (3 goals, 5 assists). In the 22 games prior to Puig’s arrival this season, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez had 11 goal contributions (10 goals, 1 assist) and averaged 0.5 goals per 90 minutes. In the 10 games after Puig arrived, Chicharito’s production took off. He averaged 0.91 goals per 90 minutes and had nearly as many goal contributions (8 goals, 1 assist) in fewer than half as many games. — Bonagura
Record: 14W-6D-14L Standing: 48 points, 6th in West Grade: B-
There was no more up-and-down team in MLS in 2022 than the Loons. From May to the end of June, Minnesota lost seven of 10 games — including a U.S. Open Cup round-of-16 defeat to third-tier Union Omaha — before following that up with a stretch of nine wins in their next 12, only to finish the campaign by losing five of their last seven. In the end, this was a team that did just enough to sneak into the playoffs.
Injuries undoubtedly played a role: Hassani Dotson played 630 minutes before he was lost for the season to a torn ACL, Romain Metanire featured for just 22 minutes as he rehabbed a series of hamstring injuries, and Bakaye Dibassy missed the final seven matches of the season (and won’t be available for the playoffs) after suffering a ruptured quadriceps tendon. However, the Loons had the fourth-oldest squad in MLS in 2022, and their young players have done little to suggest they’re ready to take this team to the next level. — Lindberg
Record: 20W-5D-9L Standing: 65 points, 2nd in East Grade: A
Behold, the power of continuity. Montreal came into 2022 having missed the (full-season) playoffs every year since 2016 and only made a couple of real offseason moves (and kept manager Wilfried Nancy), but they enter the playoffs with the East’s No. 2 seed and the third-best title odds thanks to a couple of prolific veterans (Romell Quioto and Kei Kamara combined for 24 goals and 13 assists) and a breakout season for 2021 addition Djordje Mihailovic (nine goals and six assists from 57 chances created).
In short, their front office was patient, and the patience paid off. — Connelly
Record: 13W-11D-10L Standing: 50 points, 5th in West Grade: C+
After finishing third in the West in 2021, Nashville flirted seriously with the idea of missing the playoffs, but what they lacked in general watchability – it’s not much of an exaggeration to say that every Nashville match this year was a 1-1 draw — they made up for in resilience. A six-match unbeaten streak in August and September assured them of a fifth playoff bid in five tries. Still, the defense grew leakier and the team got older, and they will head into the offseason with more questions than they had a year ago.
Unless there’s a deep playoff run coming, this season was a step backward. — Connelly
Record: 10W-12D-12L Standing: 42 points, 10th in East Grade: F
We’ll let head coach Bruce Arena summarize the 2022 season for the Revs: “I’m not going to miss it.”
One year after setting MLS’ single-season points record and lifting their first-ever Supporters’ Shield, New England faltered in 2022 with a spot outside of the playoffs and a dramatic collapse in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. Although the expectation wasn’t to hit the same heights of 2021 (especially with the exits of Tajon Buchanan, Matt Turner and Adam Buksa to Europe), qualifying for the playoffs was the minimum goal.
Things didn’t go as planned either through injuries and the additions of veterans such as Sebastian Lletget, Jozy Altidore and Omar Gonzalez. Over the summer, Lletget was transferred to FC Dallas, while Altidore went on loan to Liga MX’s Puebla. As for Gonzalez, he was never able to establish a starting role. — Hernandez
Record: 16W-7D-11L Standing: 55 points, 3rd in East Grade: C+
As June beckoned, the reigning MLS Cup champions seemed to be making a solid push toward a repeat. On June 1, NYCFC was actually a point ahead of Philly, but then manager Ronny Deila left for Standard Liege, reigning Golden Boot winner Taty Castellanos was loaned to Girona, and things began to go wobbly They’ve gone just 7-7-5 since. Not awful, but not great either, and NYCCFC seemed to lose the high-pressing ethos that Deila instituted.
A three-game winning streak to end the season hints that things are improving under Nick Cushing, but the playoffs will be the ultimate judge of NYCFC’s season. — Carlisle
Record: 15W-8D-11L Standing: 53 points, 4th in East Grade: B+
The Red Bulls needed goals in 2022 if they were to have any chance of returning to their status as consistent Eastern Conference contenders. Striker Patryk Klimala registered just five this year, falling short of the impact expected of the Young DP signing from Celtic, but Lewis Morgan has been a revelation in New York, scoring 14 times in league play from the wing since his big-money arrival from Inter Miami in the offseason. As such, the Red Bulls saw their goals-for record improve from just 39 in 2021 (only three teams in the conference were worse) to 48 this season (sixth best).
This is a much improved team over last year, as evidenced by earning a Round One playoff contest at home, and Morgan’s emergence has a lot to do with that. Just imagine how dangerous Gerhard Struber’s side would be with some genuine productivity from the No. 9 position. — Lindberg
Record: 14W-6D-14L Standing: 48 points, 7th in East Grade: C+
The Lions remain one of the league’s enigmas. They broke through to win the U.S. Open Cup and also snuck into the playoffs on the last day of the season. Given that success and failure is largely playoff qualification-based, the tendency will be to look at the season as a positive. But looked at another way, Orlando finished seventh in a 14-team conference, basically midtable.
Given the money spent on the likes of Facundo Torres and Ivan Angulo, more was expected of an attack that ranked tied for 21st in the league with 44 goals scored. The minus-9 goal differential speaks to a lack of consistency on the defensive side of the ball as well. With a playoff spot secure, Oscar Pareja looks set to continue as manager, but plenty of questions need to be asked in terms of addressing the team’s weaknesses during the offseason. — Carlisle
Record: 19W-10D-5L Standing: 67 points, 1st in East Grade: A
The Union finished the year level on points with LAFC and only lost out on winning the Supporters’ Shield by virtue of having two fewer wins. From another vantage point, it’s easy to make the case the Union were the most dominant team in the league this year and had one of the best regular seasons in league history.
Their plus-46 goal differential was 18 better than LAFC this year and stands as the second-best mark in MLS history, behind only LAFC in 2019 (48). They led the league in goals scored (72), had the fewest goals conceded (26) and were the only team in the league to go unbeaten at home. Daniel Gazdag (22 goals) finished one shy of the Golden Boot and combined with Julian Carranza (14 goals) to finish as the top goal-scoring duo (tied with FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez and Brenner).
For all the Union accomplished, though, the only way to ensure a lasting place in history is to add an MLS Cup-size exclamation point. — Bonagura
Record: 11W-13D-10L Standing: 46 points, 8th in West Grade: D+
The Portland Timbers’ prominent role in Sally Yates’ report into systemic abuse in women’s soccer has deservedly overshadowed anything the team has done on the field in recent weeks. Not that there was much on the field to write home about: All Portland needed on Decision Day was a point against Real Salt Lake to ensure a place in the postseason. Instead, they came out disinterested and were outplayed in a 3-1 loss that saw the host jump out to a 3-0 lead before a late consolation goal.
It sets up an offseason in which the most important questions will be asked about Merritt Paulson’s future as owner, rather than how the Timbers will rebuild following a rare playoff miss. — Bonagura
Record: 12W-11D-11L Standing: 47 points, 7th in West Grade: C+
Let’s make sense of this: RSL lost longtime designated player Albert Rusnak in the offseason to Seattle and star midfielder Damir Kreilach appeared in just five games due to injury. Yet, the club still finished in seventh place, the same spot it did the prior season when it made a run to the Western Conference finals.
RSL beat Portland 3-1 on Decision Day to earn the final playoff spot and while that’s not exactly a conventional formula for postseason success, last year’s run should inspire some confidence that lightning can be captured in a bottle once again. No other playoff team scored fewer goals than Salt Lake, which outscored only four teams during the regular season. RSL also managed only 16 goals on the road, which doesn’t bode well for its trip to Austin, an offensive juggernaut. — Bonagura
Record: 8W-11D-15L Standing: 35 points, 14th in West Grade: D
The decision to keep Matias Almeyda as manager to start the season still looms large, though the 1.32 points per game the team has earned under Alex Covelo since then reveals that this side was always a borderline playoff team at best. A defense that conceded a whopping 67 goals, worst in the league, made it was even more of an uphill climb. Now this is new manager Luchi Gonzalez’s problem.
A trio of defenders — Carlos Akapo, Rodrigues and Miguel Trauco — have been brought in to start the defensive rebuild, but there’s frankly not enough data yet to determine if it will work. A space-covering holding midfielder is still needed. The attack looks in good shape with Jeremy Ebobisse, Cristian Espinoza and Jamiro Monteiro. Cade Cowell has promise, as does 17-year-old Niko Tsakiris, but 2023 has the makings of another “trying to sneak into playoffs vibe.” — Carlisle
play
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Herculez Gomez debates which team has had the worst MLS season out of Atlanta and Seattle.
Record: 12W-5D-17L Standing: 41 points, 11th in West Grade: C-
This grade very much takes into consideration that the Sounders claimed the CONCACAF Champions League. It was the first time in two decades that an MLS side reached the continental promised land, and the first since a home-and-away was used in the knockout rounds, but Seattle paid for it in the long run.
Joao Paulo went down in the CCL final with a torn ACL. His replacement, Obed Vargas, later suffered a long-term back injury as well. Emotional leader Cristian Roldan underwent surgery, and influential forward Raul Ruidiaz logged just 1,306 league minutes. And so it went. The Sounders could never quite get going and failed to make the postseason for the first time in 14 seasons.
Now the question looms large: Can Seattle rebound? The roster seems locked up for next year too, with its complement of DPs already in place. It will amount to a tricky job for president of soccer Garth Lagerwey and manager Brian Schmetzer. That said, if everyone can just heal up, the talent is definitely there. — Carlisle
Record: 11W-7D-16L Standing: 40 points, 12th in West Grade: D+
Despite having a promising end to the season with just two losses in their last 10 games, very few will be content with how 2022 went for SKC. Hit by major setbacks through two lengthy injuries for DPs Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda, head coach Peter Vermes and his roster never found much-needed rhythm until August and were subsequently left out of this season’s playoffs.
They have the potential to bounce back in 2023 — keep an eye on goal scorer William Agada next year — but some serious roster questions will need to be asked during the winter offseason. — Hernandez
Record: 9W-7D-18L Standing: 34 points, 13th in East Grade: D
Giving your rivals a five-month head start is rarely a recipe for success, yet that’s essentially what Toronto did in 2022. From the starting XI that opened the season in Dallas, just four names remained in the XI that hosted Miami little more than a week ago. The Reds averaged a point a game before the secondary transfer window opened, when the likes of Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernardeschi, Mark-Anthony Kaye and four others arrived, leaving the team in a position to need a points-per-game pace of 2.27 after the window closed if they were to make it into the playoffs. For context, Supporters’ Shield-winning LAFC averaged 2.03 PPG all season.
Maybe the 2022 season was an acclimation period for new coach Bob Bradley and his stable of star signings, and Toronto will put it all together for an almighty run in 2023. If not, this year’s D grade will look a lot worse. — Lindberg
Record: 12W-7D-15L Standing: 43 points, 9th in West Grade: D+
The Caps were six points worse off in 2022 than they were in 2021, when they made a surprise run to the MLS Cup playoffs. They also scored five fewer goals — the third-worst goals-for metric in the league — despite having another season to work together while adding coveted wide creator Julian Gressel.
There is an argument to be made that Vancouver even being in the playoff conversation on Decision Day was a mirage. Only Wooden Spoon winners D.C. United boasted a worse goal differential than the Whitecaps’ minus-17. It’s another offseason of “back to the drawing board” in British Columbia. — Lindberg
