MLS Kicks Off Its 30th Season with a Splendid Showcase
The Major League Soccer (MLS) will celebrate its 30th season with a grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, featuring an impressive 13-match slate. The league’s newest and 30th franchise, San Diego FC, will make its highly anticipated debut against the reigning champion Los Angeles Galaxy. This kickoff promises to be a historic moment, not only for San Diego but for the entire MLS community. The 2025 season will see all 30 teams play a balanced 34-game schedule, comprising 17 home and 17 away matches. Teams will face their conference opponents twice and take on six different cross-conference rivals, ensuring a diverse and competitive slate of games that will keep fans engaged throughout the year.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami Set the Stage
One of the most anticipated events of the season is the opening match for the defending Supporters’ Shield winners, Inter Miami, featuring none other than Lionel Messi. The Argentinian superstar will lead his team against New York City FC right from the first day of the season. This game is expected to draw massive crowds and global attention, as fans all over the world will surely tune in to see Messi in action. The clash between these two powerhouse teams will set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating season, with both clubs vying for top honors from the outset.
Leagues Cup Heats Up the Summer
The Leagues Cup, a prestigious CONCACAF tournament that pits MLS teams against LIGA MX clubs, will run from July 29 to August 31, 2025. This year marks a significant change, as the tournament will take place during the regular seasons of both leagues, doing away with the need to pause league play. This integration ensures a continuous and exciting season for fans, with the added thrill of international competition. Notable participants in the FIFA Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will overlap between June 15-24, include Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders. These breaks in the regular season will only add to the anticipation and excitement as teams prepare for these high-stakes matches.
MLS Decision Day: A Night of Drama
The regular season will conclude on Saturday, Oct. 18, with MLS Decision Day, a day that often decides playoff spots and championship fates. Eastern Conference teams will kick off their final matches at 6 p.m. ET, while Western Conference games will begin at 9 p.m. ET. The only inter-conference matchup on this pivotal day will be New York City FC hosting the Seattle Sounders. This game is sure to be a spectacle, with both teams potentially fighting for crucial positions in their respective conferences. The drama and intensity of Decision Day add a thrilling layer to the final stages of the season, making it a must-watch event for soccer enthusiasts.
Special Anniversaries and Rivalries
The 30th season of MLS will also be marked by several special anniversaries and rematches of historic games. On April 6, the San Jose Earthquakes will host D.C. United at Stanford University, commemorating the 29th anniversary of the league’s first-ever match. This game will be a poignant reminder of how far MLS has come and the enduring spirit of the sport in North America. On July 12, the LA Galaxy and D.C. United will face off again in a rematch of the first MLS Cup, held in 1996. These matchups will not only celebrate the league’s rich history but also provide a platform for current stars to showcase their talents on historic stages.
Highlight Matches to Watch Out For
The 2025 MLS season is packed with notable matches that are sure to capture the imagination of fans. On March 1, San Diego FC will have its home opener against St. Louis CITY SC, a game that will introduce the new franchise to its local supporters. On April 19, the Columbus Crew will face Inter Miami at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, a venue that has witnessed many thrilling moments in the past. The MLS Cup 2024 rematch on May 10, with the New York Red Bulls taking on the LA Galaxy, will be a high-stakes encounter that could have significant implications for both teams. Additionally, the Hudson River Derby between NYCFC and the NY Red Bulls on May 17, and the Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders clash on the same day, promise to deliver intense and competitive soccer. The annual El Tráfico rivalry between LAFC and the LA Galaxy on May 18 will also be a highlight, as will the June 28 match between the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy at Stanford University, and the September 13 showdown between the Earthquakes and LAFC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The All-Star Game Returns to Austin
Austin FC will host the 2025 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 23, providing a mid-season spectacle that celebrates the league’s top talents. The day before the main event, the MLS Skills Challenge will return, adding a fun and engaging component to the All-Star festivities. The format for the All-Star Game is yet to be announced, but it is expected to follow the trend set in recent years, where an MLS All-Star team faces a formidable opponent, such as a LIGA MX All-Star side. Last season, the LIGA MX All-Stars triumphed 4-1 over the MLS All-Stars in Columbus, Ohio, and this year’s event is sure to be highly competitive and entertaining.
You can find the complete regular-season schedule for each team here.
