Table of Contents
1️⃣ Vancouver Whitecaps (Score 90.6)
Vancouver closed out the month as the league’s most complete side, combining defensive precision with ruthless attacking efficiency. Their +28 goal differential and elite xGD/90 of +0.74 prove this surge is no fluke. Brian White’s finishing and the fluid front three thrive under pressure, while discipline off the ball keeps opponents contained. Unbeaten across all competitions, the Whitecaps enter the postseason as North America’s quiet powerhouse.
2️⃣ LAFC (Score 88.3)
Six straight wins and a +26 differential tell the story: LAFC are peaking at precisely the right time. Denis Bouanga remains hard to defend on the left, and Hugo Lloris’ calm presence has steadied a defense that wobbled early. Their expected metrics (+0.81 xGD/90) match the eye test — a side that dictates territory, tempo, and mood. With Son Heung-min fully integrated and chemistry humming, LAFC looks inevitable.
3️⃣ Philadelphia Union (Score 86.2)
Philadelphia’s return to form mirrors their 2020 Shield-winning rhythm, and of course, they've done it again in 2025. Averaging 2.00 points per match and four wins in five, the Union have rediscovered their ruthless identity. Tai Baribo’s 16-goal breakout and Andre Blake’s steady command make Subaru Park a fortress again. Their +24 goal difference and relentless press echo the exact blueprint that once crowned them best in the league — and it’s clicking when it matters most.
4️⃣ Inter Miami CF (Score 74.9)
Miami remains the league’s most explosive attack with 72 goals, but defensive lapses persist. Lionel Messi’s 24 goals and creative gravity keep them dangerous, yet 53 conceded reminds us how thin their margins can be. Oscar Ustari’s workload is heavy, though a positive expected goals (xGD) per 90 minutes shows they still tilt the field forward. If their stars stay fit and synced, the Herons can outscore nearly anyone — but only if they defend well enough to matter in November.
5️⃣ Nashville SC
Few clubs are more demanding to read than Nashville. Underlying numbers (+0.58 xGD/90) hint at a team better than its record, yet inconsistency holds them back. Sam Surridge’s 23 goals have carried the load, but defensive lapses in key stretches keep them from the elite tier. If B.J. Callahan’s side tightens its compact shape and rediscover early-season control, it’ll be the dark horse nobody wants in a knockout round. They already won a title in 2025. Can it get another one?
6️⃣ FC Cincinnati
Cincy continues to grind results more through grit than dominance. Despite a negative xGD, Evander’s 17 goals have been decisive, and Roman Celentano continues to steal points with timely saves. They still win ugly — and often — but regression signs linger. For now, clutch goals and big-moment composure keep the Orange & Blue in the postseason mix.
7️⃣ New York City FC
NYCFC’s identity has quietly evolved: less flair, more steel. Alonso Martínez’s rise up front adds punch, and Matt Freese has stabilized the back line. Their +0.19 xGD/90 won’t wow analytics heads, but recent form suggests they can hang with anyone. When the midfield triangle clicks, City looks like the playoff spoiler no one planned for.
8️⃣ San Diego FC
The expansion darlings continue to stun the league. A 1.82 points-per-match pace and positive expected goals (xGD) confirm San Diego’s debut project is far ahead of schedule. Anders Dreyer drives their free-flowing attack, while CJ dos Santos’s reflexes preserve tight wins. Young, fearless, and free of baggage, San Diego plays like a club with nothing to lose — which makes them a postseason threat.
9️⃣ Orlando City SC
Orlando remains solid if unspectacular, leaning on Martín Ojeda’s 16 goals and Pedro Gallese’s consistency. Their recent run of draws shows a side that is hard to beat but lacks a killer edge. This is precisely what Ricardo Moreira, the team's soccer mastermind, aims to achieve by bringing Richarlison in before the World Cup.
With a +15 goal differential and slow-tempo control, the Lions frustrate opponents but rarely overwhelm them. Sharper finishing in tight games is all that separates steady from special.
🔟 Charlotte FC
Charlotte’s campaign has been a rollercoaster — dominant at home, erratic on the road. Idan Markovich’s 11 goals kept them alive in the East race, yet their negative xG gap exposes thin margins. Still, under Dean Smith, the project is trending upward: youthful energy, better structure, and a clear identity emerging. They’re not elite yet, but the foundation is solid.
