If you're wondering about the main dates for the upcoming Major League Soccer season, GOAL has you covered - plus more info on how to watch games on TV
GOAL spoke to GMs and chief soccer officers across MLS about the league’s 3.0 vision: the calendar change is progress, but executives say the next steps must come faster.
MLS returns with a packed schedule and familiar chaos. From stars like Messi, Rodriguez, and Son Heung-Min to the teams you can avoid, here’s who’s actually worth your weekend watch.
In a heartwarming gesture, MLS star Hany Mukhtar led entire Nashville team to do Diogo Jota celebration after scoring match-winning penalty against Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Mukhtar paid tribute to Liverpool star Jota, who, along with his younger brother Andre Silva, tragically passed away aged 28 on July 3 after a horrific car crash in Spain.
Brian Baumgartner, aka Kevin Malone from the hit show The Office, made a surprise appearance at Snapdragon Stadium as San Diego FC's special pre-match guest
Austin FC and Nashville SC each booked their first U.S. Open Cup Final appearances on a dramatic semifinal night. In St. Paul, CJ Fodrey’s 120th-minute strike gave Austin a 2-1 extra-time win over Minnesota United, while in Nashville, Sam Surridge fired a hat trick to lead the Boys in Gold past Philadelphia Union 3-1 at GEODIS Park.
Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge finds himself in a remarkable MLS Golden Boot race with Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The English forward's 23 goals place him just three behind the Argentine legend's league-leading 26, with LAFC's Denis Bounaga at 24 sandwiched between them.
Lionel Messi has claimed Major League Soccer’s Golden Boot, finishing the season with 29 goals to outpace Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, who each scored 24. It’s the Argentine’s first MLS Golden Boot, after narrowly missing out last year to D.C. United’s Christian Benteke by three goals.
After closing out the MLS regular season on a dominant streak, Inter Miami CF star Lionel Messi has been named MLS Player of the Month for October 2025, following a stunning run of five goals and five assists in his last three matches. Thanks to his influence, the Herons finished the month with a perfect record of three wins and no losses, securing third place in the Eastern Conference.