News Summary
The 2025 Major League Soccer season will feature an unprecedented schedule with 30 clubs competing across five competitions alongside their regular season. Teams like Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders FC, and Los Angeles FC will play in multiple tournaments, leading to a significant reduction in summer friendlies. Clubs are gearing up for a busy calendar including high-profile matches, such as those against international teams. This season is set to highlight the league’s growth as it navigates complex scheduling and increasing fan engagement.
New York City – The 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season is set to be the most congested in the league’s history, featuring 30 clubs participating in five different competitions alongside their regular season commitments. This unusually packed schedule presents unique challenges for teams as they strive to balance multiple tournaments and maintain competitiveness throughout the season.
Most clubs will participate in two competitions in total; however, several standout teams—including Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders FC, and Los Angeles FC—will compete not only in the MLS regular season but also in the FIFA Club World Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup. With such intensive engagements, the number of traditional summer friendly matches has drastically declined. The 2025 season will see only four summer friendlies scheduled, a significant reduction compared to previous years, indicating the pressures of a demanding competition structure.
Aston Villa is set to visit the United States for two friendlies, starting with a match against St. Louis CITY SC on July 30 and subsequently facing Nashville SC on August 2. St. Louis CITY SC has faced challenges this season, having sacked their manager after 15 games due to a disappointing performance. In contrast, Nashville SC has been performing strongly, reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup, and may field a rotated squad against Aston Villa.
The Philadelphia Union will also host Eintracht Frankfurt on August 2 to promote soccer as part of Frankfurt’s internationalization strategy leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This match is particularly significant as it reinforces the sister city relationship between Philadelphia and Frankfurt, which was established in 2015.
In a notable acknowledgment of international exchange, D.C. United will compete against the Ethiopian men’s national soccer team. This matchup marks the second consecutive season that an MLS team faces an international side. Ethiopia’s squad currently ranks 156th in FIFA standings and is actively participating in World Cup 2026 qualifiers, seeking to make advancements in the tournament.
The 2025 MLS regular season will include a variety of competitions and fixtures, resulting in numerous domestic and international challenges for clubs. Inter Miami CF’s season opener is scheduled for February 22 against New York City FC, while LAFC will kick off their season earlier at the Coachella Valley Invitational on February 5 against the Chicago Fire.
Fans can anticipate over 510 regular-season games being broadcast through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, increasing accessibility to MLS matches. Each of the MLS clubs is also set to engage in six out-of-conference matches, providing teams with exposure to different regional competitors.
One of the season’s highlight matchups will occur on July 19, 2025, when LA Galaxy faces off against their rivals, LAFC, in a matchup that is always highly anticipated in the league. Notably, the 2025 season will mark the continuation of regular MLS play during the Leagues Cup, allowing league schedules to remain uninterrupted as clubs juggle their various competitions.
This upcoming season promises to be a landmark period for Major League Soccer, emphasizing the growth of the league and the increasing complexity in scheduling as clubs navigate unprecedented match congestion while still engaging fans both domestically and internationally.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Intense Competition in 2025 MLS Season
West Yarmouth Ranch-Style Home Near Seagull Beach Listed at $629,000
Additional Resources
- SI: MLS Friendlies This Summer
- MLS Soccer: 2025 Regular Season Schedule
- Inter Miami CF: 2025 MLS Schedule
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Soccer
- Google Search: MLS 2025 Season
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
