CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The World Cup has come and gone and the MLS is officially back in action.

While the rest of the world enjoys the remainder of their offseason, The United States gets to continue the hype train around the sport of soccer by getting the chance to support its homegrown and local clubs.

With two game-days come and gone since the end of the World Cup and the league currently taking the front end of the week off due to the leagues annual All-Star game, we have some time to discuss the current state of the league, who’s a favorite heading into November and who needs to go back to the drawing board in preparations for next year.

Let’s Talk About the League

After a strong showing of interest and investment among the average American for the World Cup, the MLS has an incredible opportunity to secure soccer as one of America’s top sports.

The league has the star power to make it big, this is no longer the early 2000’s where players from Europe come over to collect a paycheck and ride off into retirement on their high horse, the talent that has poured into the league since the arrival of Messi in 2023 has been nothing short of outstanding.

During the World Cup, the MLS caught the arrival of two stars over from Europe which will gauge interest from the international community, but also Americans who follow soccer on a regular basis.

During the break, Orlando City welcomed the arrival of French icon Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid where he has spent the majority of his career, Griezmann leaves Madrid as the club’s all time goalscorer, putting up 140 goals in 323 games for the team. Griezmann also was a part of the French national team during the early years of the federations current “golden generation” that won the World Cup in 2018, and was part of the runner-up squad in 2022 before announcing his retirement from International football in 2025 to make way for the next generation of French football. Griezmann has been considered on of the best players of this generation.

Griezmann made his debut for Orlando immediately, in the two games he’s played, he scored in his most recent outing, giving him 300 career goals.

The other star that the MLS welcomed over the break was Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowski’s move to the Chicago Fire during the World Cup break was an absolute surprise to many. Before the World Cup, Lewandowski announced that he was not renewing his contract with Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona, many thought he would stay in Europe to find his form with a new club, some speculated maybe he’d go back to Germany where he started his career and became a household name.

Lewandowski made his debut for the Chicago Fire on July 22nd when the Fire came down to face off against Inter Miami, while Lewandowski lost in his debut match, he left an impression on fans which could see the Fire make a late season push, as they currently sit fourth in the Eastern conference.

Both stars will 100% give the league more attention, but the league must capitalize on the rush before it’s too late.

Who’s Pushing?

As things stand right now plenty of teams have an in for a playoff run, but who could really come away with it when it’s all said and done?

Nashville SC

Nashville currently sits on top of the Eastern Conference with a two point lead over Inter Miami in the standings, while the team doesn’t show up in the top-five in any stat column, the team is providing quality wins and showing the home field advantage exists, not losing a single game at home and show no signs of slowing down.

Inter Miami

The Herons sit in second in the east put the gap between them and Nashville is tight enough to where the slots can swap at any second. Majority of Inter Miami’s roster did have the luxury of taking off the World Cup but the team’s driving forces had spent the break playing in the tournament, with Messi and De Paul representing the runner-up team of Argentina, and newest arrival Casemiro representing Brazil. Inter Miami currently leads the MLS in goals scored and are second in assists. While the offense is firing on all cylinders, the team needs to readjust the tempo on defense, as the team is second in the league in yellow cards awarded. If the team wants to get back to the MLS Cup, they need to play with more structure.

New England Revolution

The Pride of the Northeast sits third in the Eastern Conference, while the team, much like Nashville isn’t showing up on paper, the team is pulling off quality wins but are getting exposed on the road as they team has put up a disappointing 1-4-1 record when they’re away from home.

Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver has had an amazing start to the season, spearheading a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference. The team’s offense has been firing at will but showing great ball control and chemistry on the field as the team currently sits third in goals and fourth in assists, with no foul trouble from the defense Vancouver has put together one of the most disciplined lineups in the league and could very well pull it off in November if they stay the course.

LAFC

Since LAFCs title win just only a few seasons back, the team has gotten close to getting back to the peak but have never managed to get over the hump and get back into the big dance. This year could finally be the year they can do it, with the team being third in assists and being led by South Korean captain and league assist leader Hueng-Min Son, this team could finally put it through with the right leadership.

San Jose Earthquakes

The Earthquakes have been in a tough spot for a while so with the team starting off the season as well as they have it’s definitely a pleasant surprise to fans and a bit of a shakeup to the league as a whole. The offense is finding its rhythm as they are currently fourth in goals scored, the defense has to be a bit more cautious as they are third in yellow cards awarded. While they are the last team in a three-way tie for first in the West, this could be a great underdog story come November.

Real Salt Lake

Salt Lake sits just outside of the top-three in the Western Conference, showing just how stacked the competition is this year. While RSL isn’t showing up on paper, they have been dominating at home going 7-1-0. They do have to tread lightly on the road, as the team has put up a disappointing 1-5-2 start when they’re not home.

Who Needs to Pack it up?

Philadelphia Union

The start to the season has not been kind to the Union, however, at least this team has a potential blueprint for future success, but the team needs to be careful as the window is very tight. The Union currently are in possession of the sixteen year-old wonderkid Cavan Sullivan, Sullivan has been on the senior squad since he was 15 and is nothing short of a star in the making, Philadelphia needs to build their roster around this kid, however, they have to do it as soon as possible, because once he turns 18, he will be on the next flight to Manchester as his contract states.

Austin FC

The team is still relatively young as it is one of the more recent MLS expansion franchises, they just haven’t gotten it figured out. Much to the disappointment of its incredibly passionate fanbase, the young squad needs to find a formula and find it fast.

Colorado Rapids

This team is currently in a rebuild, which you don’t see often in professional soccer, however, this is definitely a case. The team hired a new coach this offseason from Tottenham and have plenty of young talent to build the squad around, the question that mainly presides over this team is simply “How can it work”.

Now What?

The season is still young but all eyes are on the league, can the MLS take a hold of the World Cup hype train and tame it in its favor or will the trend die out before it’s too late.