The pressure is on.
Sixteen teams will vie for the 2025 MLS Cup trophy, and there will be a new winner this season.
With the LA Galaxy suffering a dreadful season following its record-extending triumph last year, the path is open for history to be made. Last season’s runner-up, the New York Red Bulls, did not qualify for the playoffs.
Entering the action, the two No. 1 seeds from each conference are teams not many would’ve predicted when the league opened in February.
From the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Union grabbed the top seed — and Supporters’ Shield — following an offseason of change and roster criticism. Out West, debutants San Diego FC claimed the No. 1 seed, though there is some drama ahead of the team’s run.
So, who are the players and teams to watch in this postseason? Let’s dive in:
Players to watch in 2025 MLS playoffs
RW/CF Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
The Golden Boot winner predictably leads the pack. Messi scored a league-high 29 goals to go with 17 assists, a total of 46 goal contributions in league play. Miami, which is the No. 3 seed out East, will only go as far as Messi can take them in the club’s pursuit for a first Cup title. The Argentine will need his minutes managed, but there’s no doubt he has the quality to get the job done.
RW Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC
San Diego isn’t the first MLS debutant to claim the top seed in its conference, but it will also need to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Leading the way has been Danish right winger Anders Dreyer. The 27-year-old recorded 19 goals and 16 assists, starting all 34 league matches. The speedy, left-footed forward can do just about everything in MLS despite entering as a possible risky buy for a new team. He can also play anywhere across the front line, as this highlight exemplifies:
LW/ST Heung-min Son, LAFC
Olivier Giroud didn’t work out in Southern California as some would’ve hoped, but his departure cleared the path for an upgrade. Son has predictably torn up MLS, serving as the needle mover LAFC needed to win its second Cup. He scored nine goals in 10 league games to go with two assists, taking almost no time to get settled in after leaving Tottenham in the summer. He and Denis Bouanga rival Messi and Luis Suarez for the best attacking duo.
CM/AM Evander, FC Cincinnati
Who’s the best midfielder in MLS? Whichever players come to mind, Evander has to be near the top. The 27-year-old Brazilian is essentially a striker in a midfielder’s body. He scored 18 goals to go with 15 assists (third in MLS behind Messi and Dreyer) in league play in his second season with Cincinnati after leaving Portland, where he first blew up. He can attack, defend and create something out of nothing; he’s a dream player for MLS managers, with the potential to succeed in Europe. Cincinnati’s search for a first Cup title relies on him and striker Kevin Denkey.
ST Tai Baribo, Philadelphia Union
Like San Diego, the Union will need to prove their No. 1 seed isn’t a fluke — as well as avoiding the Supporters’ Shield curse that can plague some teams. A lot of pressure will fall on Tai Baribo to consistently score, as the Union ranked No. 10 in league goals. If not, Philly will have to be careful to avoid an upset at the hands of the Chicago Fire.
Honorable mentions: ST Sam Surridge and AM Hany Mukhtar (Nashville), CF Brian White (Vancouver), LW Denis Bouanga and GK Hugo Lloris (LAFC), ST Petar Musa (Dallas)
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Teams to watch in 2025 MLS playoffs
Inter Miami
Of course, all the eyes will be on Inter Miami in Messi’s attempt to bring home the Cup. He’ll be aided by Suarez, midfielder Rodrigo de Paul and ex-Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Both of the latter are retiring at the end of Miami’s playoff run. They’ll hope that’s after the Cup Final. Miami’s weaknesses are defense and goalie, but it has usually scored enough to not make that matter too much. But playoffs don’t provide many second chances if and when things go wrong.
LAFC
While Son is the most known player on the team despite signing recently, Bouanga is just as imperative with his 24 league goals. Together, they form a formidable duo and have midfielders in Mark Delgado and Timothy Tillman in support. Hugo Lloris is also the star goalie between the sticks, but he can be error prone in high-stakes games, as can center-back Aaron Long. But that might not matter, too, if Son and Bouanga are scoring as they usually do.
San Diego FC
In the middle of a historic pursuit, San Diego will not be without drama, as star Mexican winger Hirving Lozano may not be available following a reported verbal altercation in the locker room. Lozano may have to prove and show how committed he is to the team with the playoff run about to begin, per The Athletic. San Diego still has Dreyer with Amahl Pellegrino also arriving via trade from the San Jose Earthquakes, but the team cannot win the Cup without someone of Lozano’s quality. San Diego’s possession-based style and robust defense despite not employing any stars will make them a tough out.
Seattle Sounders
While Seattle is the No. 5 team out West, don’t rule out a possible Cup run. The Sounders routed Miami 3-0 to win the Leagues Cup in August and deploy key players all across the pitch. Albert Rusnak, Danny Musovski, Paul Rothrock, Pedro de la Vega and Jesus Ferreira are among the forwards who get involved, while Jordan Morris is back from a multiple-month injury. Rising midfielder Obed Vargas and veteran Cristian Roldan are in midfield, while 39-year-old Stefan Frei remains one of the league’s best goalies. Seattle will need everything to click, but it has the players and prior success to make it happen.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The No. 2 seed out West, Vancouver finished the regular season third in goals (66) while conceding just 38 (second best besides Philadelphia’s 35). It has done so without key winger Ryan Gauld, who likely won’t return for the playoffs. The Whitecaps still need to manage striker White and center-back Tristan Blackmon, but German star Thomas Muller has adjusted just fine while Emmanuel Sabbi has been electric on the flanks. Japanese goalie Yohei Takaoka also recorded the most clean sheets with 13, with seven on the road. Vancouver can win in any setting, but it’ll need to stay composed and injury free to win its first title since entering the league in 2011.