MLS Communications

4️⃣ MLS action returns in full swing this weekend as 10 matches on Saturday and five on Sunday highlight Matchday 28 action.

The key theme this weekend and going forward is the chase for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs as the time to make a playoff push starts now.

3️⃣ The top two scorers in Leagues Cup history will not surprise you: Denis Bouanga (13) and Lionel Messi (10), but third-placed Bongi Hlongwane (9) might.

The Minnesota United winger has scored in each of the club’s matches this year and is again enjoying hot form during the competition.

2️⃣ Only two MLS clubs took all six points from their first two Leagues Cup matches – the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC.

The Cascadia rivals sit in pole position and a win in regulation or via penalty kicks would guarantee them a spot in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals.

Four things to watch in MLS this week as regular season action resumes this weekend:

1️⃣ Heading into the final set of matches in Phase One of Leagues Cup 2025 this week, 29 of the 36 MLS and LIGA MX teams still have a chance to qualify for the Quarterfinals of the competition.

MLS Highlight Content now Available on Amazon Fire TV Channels | MLSSoccer.com MLS highlights from the regular and post-season to be available via Fire TV, Fire Tablet and Echo Show Devices

Major League Soccer today announced a strategic collaboration with Amazon that will see Amazon Fire TV Channels distribute select MLS content.
www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-hig...

Inter Miami CF Forward Lionel Messi Named MLS Player of the Month for July 2025 | MLSSoccer.com Reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP led league with eight goals and 11 goal contributions in July Legendary Argentine attacker has bagged braces in six of last seven matches as Inter Miami CF kicks off Le...

After eight goals and three assists in the month, Lionel Messi was named the MLS Player of the Month for July.

Messi takes home the fourth MLS Player of the Month honor of his career, becoming just the sixth player to accomplish this feat in league history.
www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-m...

For the first time in his career, Cruz Azul midfielder Mateusz Bogusz will make a Leagues Cup appearance on the LIGA MX side. Bogusz starred in the last two editions of the tournament, producing four goals and four assists for LAFC.

Since joining the Herons in the summer of 2023, Inter Miami CF's Jordi Alba has played a large role in the club’s Leagues Cup success with seven assists in Leagues Cup play.

After advancing to the final of Leagues Cup 2024, LAFC enters this year’s edition of the tournament with the top scorer in the tournament's history - Denis Bouanga, who has scored a tournament-best 12 goals across the last two competitions.

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Leagues Cup 2025 | MLSSoccer.com Bouanga Ballin’ in Leagues Cup After advancing to the quarterfinals of Leagues Cup 2023 and the final of Leagues Cup 2024, the Los Angeles Football Club enters this year’s edition of the tournament wi...

Rivals from MLS and LIGA MX go head-to-head starting today as Leagues Cup 2025 kicks off this evening.

Expected Goals highlights the star players from the first two editions of the tournament and their previous milestones: www.mlssoccer.com/news/expecte...

As part of their expanding investment and commitment to growing the sport of soccer and engaging with our passionate fanbase, MLS is honored to welcome Walmart as a new official partner of both the league and the highly anticipated Leagues Cup which starts tonight.

5️⃣ Just a few days into the MLS Summer Transfer Window, clubs have already begun making impactful moves.

Notable new additions so far include Inter Miami CF's Rodrigo De Paul, the Columbus Crew's Wessam Abou Ali and New York City FC's Nicolás Fernández Mercau.

4️⃣ One of the most dangerous MLS teams heading into Leagues Cup is Charlotte FC, who have won four straight matches.

Spearheading the strong form has been Wilfried Zaha, who has a goal contribution in a club-record eight straight games, unlocking a lethal Charlotte attack.

3️⃣Another Argentine No. 10 has been tearing up MLS as Orlando City SC's Martín Ojeda is shattering club record after club record, and is now eyeing up Landon Donovan MLS MVP honors.

2️⃣ One of the first marquee matchups tonight features San Diego FC's Hirving Lozano squaring off against his boyhood club, Pachuca, for the first time in his career.

Lozano came up through the Pachuca youth academy and played four seasons for the club at the first-team level.

Five things to watch in MLS this week:

1️⃣ Leagues Cup returns this week as the third edition includes a new and enhanced format with more rivalry matches kicking off tonight, July 29.

New York City FC Forward Alonso Martínez Named MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra for Matchday 27 | MLSSoccer.com NEW YORK (Monday, July 28, 2025) – New York City FC forward Alonso Martínez was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra for Matchday 27 of the 2025 MLS season....

After his second regular season hat trick since joining MLS, Martínez becomes the first New York City FC player to earn Player of the Matchday honors this season.
www.mlssoccer.com/news/new-yor...

Moments of Matchday 27: Ojeda and Zaha On Fire Entering Leagues Cup | MLSSoccer.com Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 14 matches played on the 27th matchday of the 2025 MLS regular season on Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26. Highlights of the...

With Leagues Cup kicking off this week, MLS teams and stars enter the competition in terrific form, including Orlando City SC's Martín Ojeda and Charlotte FC's Wilfried Zaha.

Moments of Matchday 27 looks at these two and other storylines from the weekend: www.mlssoccer.com/news/moments...

MLS Player Status Report: Matchday 27 (Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26) | MLSSoccer.com The MLS Disciplinary Summary for Matchday 27 is available HERE.

MLS Player Status Report: Matchday 27 (Saturday, July 26) www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-pla...

Inter Miami CF Players Unavailable for July 26 Match vs. FC Cincinnati due to All-Star Game Absence | MLSSoccer.com NEW YORK (July 25, 2025) – Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s Major L...

Inter Miami CF Players Unavailable for July 26 Match vs. FC Cincinnati due to All-Star Game Absence
www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-m...

MLS All-Stars Defeat LIGA MX All-Stars, 3-1, in Front of Sold-Out Austin Crowd | MLSSoccer.com Philadelphia Union forward Tai Baribo named MLS All-Star Game MVP, becoming the first player in club history to earn the honor

MLS All-Stars Defeat LIGA MX All-Stars, 3-1, in Front of Sold-Out Austin Crowd
www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-all...

MLS provides final roster for 2025 MLS All-Star Game | MLSSoccer.com Major League Soccer has announced the players available for selection in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, held Wednesday night at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium (9 pm ET | Apple TV - Free).

Major League Soccer today announced the players available for selection in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game.
www.mlssoccer.com/allstar/2025...

MLS All-Stars Emerge Victorious in Record-Setting 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T | MLSSoccer.com FC Cincinnati’s Evander dominates with historic performances in MLS All-Star Shooting Challenge presented by AT&T and MLS All-Star Passing Challenge presented by Bounty

MLS All-Stars Emerge Victorious in Record-Setting 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T
www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-all...

East All-Stars Earn Thrilling 4-3 Victory Over West in 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star Game Presented by Allstate | MLSSoccer.com Columbus Crew product Prince Forfor named MLS NEXT All-Star Game MVP presented by Allstate

East All-Stars Earn Thrilling 4-3 Victory Over West in 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star Game Presented by Allstate
www.mlssoccer.com/news/east-al...

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game Notes including detailed history of the MLS All-Star Game, information on the players selected to the roster, and useful notes on the matchup against LIGA MX are now available for download.
mlssoccer.box.com/s/syh47vticp...

Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner Added to 2025 MLS All-Star Roster | MLSSoccer.com Wagner makes his third MLS All-Star appearance (2021, 2022, 2025) NEW YORK (Sunday, July 20, 2025) – Philadelphia Union left back Kai Wagner was named to the 2025 MLS All-Star roster by MLS All-Star h...

Kai Wagner of the Philadelphia Union added to 2025 MLS All-Star roster. www.mlssoccer.com/news/philade...

Moments of Matchday 26: Standout Performances from Messi, Biel, & Musa Highlight Final Matchday Before MLS All-Star Week | MLSSoccer.com Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 14 matches played on the 26th matchday of the 2025 MLS regular season on Saturday, July 19. Highlights of the matchday included: -...

Moments of Matchday 26: Standout performances from Messi, Biel, & Musa highlight final Matchday before MLS All-Star Week. www.mlssoccer.com/news/moments...

MLS Player Status Report: Matchday 26 (Saturday, July 19) | MLSSoccer.com The MLS Disciplinary Summary for Matchday 26 is available HERE.

MLS Player Status Report: Matchday 26 (Saturday, July 19) www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-pla...

FC Cincinnati Midfielder Evander Named MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra for Matchday 25  | MLSSoccer.com NEW YORK (Thursday, July 17, 2025) –FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra for Matchday 25 of the 2025 MLS season. The ML...

Including his brace on Matchday 25, Evander has scored in five consecutive regular season games for FC Cincinnati -- the longest streak in club history. www.mlssoccer.com/news/fc-cinc...

MLS NEXT Announces 2024-25 Regular Season Award Winners | MLSSoccer.com MVP presented by adidas and Goal of the Year presented by Allstate unveiled for each of the four age groups (U15, U16, U17, and U19)

Today, MLS NEXT announced 2024-25 regular season award winners, including the MVP presented by adidas and Goal of the Year presented by Allstate awards for each of the four age groups (U15, U16, U17, and U19). www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/news...