MLS season update

An editorial look at Matchday 28 highlights in MLS focusing on Seattle's depth, Orlando City's progress, and the evolving Shield race.

Sounders show depth as Shield race stays wide open

Seattle Sounders defeated the LA Galaxy 4-0 on the road, with Danny Musovski scoring twice and Snyder Brunell opening his MLS debut with a goal. The result underscored Seattle's depth as a long injury list persists and more players from the academy, the draft, and MLS NEXT Pro are stepping in. With this win, Seattle sits fourth in the Western Conference and would host in the first round of the playoffs if the season ended today. The club has built a pipeline that keeps results coming even when rotation is needed, a point Matt Doyle highlighted when calling this squad the deepest in MLS history.

Across the league Orlando City has emerged as a credible title contender. They sit near the top in xG differential, strengthened by signings Tyrese Spicer and Adrián Marín, and have progressed in Leagues Cup with wins over Atlas and Necaxa and a draw with Pumas before a league loss to Inter Miami. Meanwhile LAFC unveiled Son Heung-min, who played mainly as a central forward and won a penalty converted by Bouanga, prompting questions about how to balance two star attackers. The Shield race is now a two-month sprint toward Decision Day, with six teams still averaging at least 1.8 points per game as the calendar tightens.

The season’s trend is clear: teams with depth and flexibility can absorb injuries and a packed schedule. Seattle’s approach shows the value of development pipelines and rotational depth turning potential disruption into steady form. The broader takeaway is that roster strategy matters as much as star power in MLS this year.

Son’s arrival at LAFC highlights a shift in MLS tactics where a high-profile signing can be integrated in multiple roles without losing balance. This hints at a future where squads are built around adaptable frontline options and high tempo pressing, rather than rigid two-man combinations. The Shield race, meanwhile, remains wide open and promises a high-stakes sprint to Decision Day as teams juggle form, fatigue, and the need to maximize points per game.

Highlights

The next phase will test how teams manage depth under pressure.