With the MLS regular season resuming, GOAL takes a look at each team's campaign – the good, bad and ugly
The Leagues Cup is nearly wrapped up and that means all teams outside of the summer tournament finalists will be back in action this weekend.
There's been a lot that has happened since the league went on break for Leagues Cup action. Lionel Messi suffered an ankle injury in the 2024 Copa America final. Olivier Giroud and Marco Reus joined both sides of the Los Angeles soccer rivalry and overall teams in the league were aggressive with their summer transfer spending. Almost $200 million was spent across the entire league this window, a sizable number considering the league's generally conservative approach.
Inter Miami, LAFC, the Columbus Crew and the LA Galaxy have been arguably the top four clubs in MLS this season. Could the summer transfer window bring another team into the contention mix?
On the other hand, what is the path forward for vastly disappointing clubs like the Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution?
One thing is clear: There is no room for error for all of the league's 29 teams with just a third of the season left.
Ahead of this weekend's return to action, GOAL grades each team on how they've done so far this season…
GettyInter Miami: A+
Current standing: First, Eastern Conference
Season so far: have had an outstanding season so far, sitting atop the East with a five-point lead. Averaging 2.12 points per game with 56 total goals scored, Miami has been dominant in the final third all season. Messi has led the way with 12 goals and 13 assists in just 12 matches while Luis Suarez has been clinical, adding another 12 goals. The club is currently on track to lift the MLS Supporters' Shield at 53 points. The LA Galaxy is second in the race at 49 points with an extra match played.
Major moves:
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Loaned in David Martinez from River PlateSigned Matias Rojas on free transferAdvertisementLA Galaxy: A+
Current standing: First, Western Conference
Season so far: What a stunning turnaround 2024 has been for the franchise; they find themselves atop the West and have completely turned their fortunes around after hitting a club-low in 2023.
They have the most passes completed of any MLS club this season with 15,102, while midfield Maestro leads the league in touches with 2,401. Offseason additions Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec are frontrunners for Newcomer of the Year, and Greg Vanney is looking like an ideal candidate for Coach of the Year. This team will be even scarier with the addition of Dortmund legend Reus.
Major moves:
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Signed Reus as a free agentLAFC: A
Current standing: Second, Western Conference
Season so far: LAFC have done nearly everything right so far this campaign. They had one major hiccup, a thumping at the hands of the Crew prior to the start of the Leagues Cup, but they've nearly been perfect otherwise. Denis Bouanga has the most shots (124) and shots-on-target (47) of any player this season, and they've only bolstered their attack by adding Giroud this summer transfer window to build on that.
The 2023 MLS Cup runners-up, LAFC look like contenders once again.
Major moves:
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Signed Giroud from AC Milan on free transferLoaned in Lewis O'Brien from Nottingham ForestReal Salt Lake: A
Current standing: Third, Western Conference
Season so far: RSL have been MLS's most surprising team this campaign. They're playing electric attacking soccer, with Chicho Arango looking like MLS MVP candidate material with 17 goals and five goals. USMNT prospect Diego Luna additionally has fully come into his own, dropping five goals and 12 assists so far.
Ahead of the final stretch run, they're a real contender for both the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup.
Major moves:
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Transferred in Diogo Goncalves from FC CopenhagenTransferred in Dominik Marczuk from Jagiellonia BialystokBrought in Javain Brown on a free transfer
