MLS Shield watch: The top two falter, allowing for an unprecedented 12-team race with 5 weeks left

10 points! Just 10 points separate the top team in MLS, the Philadelphia Union (57 points), and the 12th-place team in the league, LAFC (47 points). That statement might sound intriguing, but what is more fascinating is that we are one month away from the final matchday of the 2025 season! In the next five weeks, the top 12 teams have a legitimate shot at hoisting the Supporters' Shield. Let's take a deep dive into the top five, and then round out the rest of the contenders as we get ready for the upcoming matchweek 35!

MLS Supporters’ Shield watch after matchday 34

1st Place: Philadelphia Union – 57 points from 30 games played

Before 9:30 p.m. last Saturday, the Philadelphia Union were riding high. They were in the top spot in the Supporters' Shield race, had a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference, and were two wins away from winning the US Open Cup. What a difference a week can make; Philly conceded seven in Vancouver last Saturday and then fell to Nashville in the Open Cup semifinals. Nevertheless, the Union still sits atop all of MLS. Can they bounce back?

Philly takes on the lowly New England Revolution this weekend. The Revs just fired their manager even though they are still in playoff contention, and will hope an interim manager bump gets them over the finish line. Is this another classic trap game for Philadelphia, or can they keep their place with three matches to play?

Next MLS Match: vs New England Revolution | Saturday, September 20 | 2:30 pm EST

2nd Place: San Diego FC – 56 points from 30 games played

Something happened last weekend that has not happened very often this year in MLS play: San Diego was outplayed by their opposition at home. Minnesota scored three goals in the final 15 minutes of a match that ended in a 3-1 for San Diego. This was on a night when they could have leapfrogged back to the top of the league. A cross-country trip at an odd game time awaits them this week.

San Diego heads to Atlanta this Saturday for an interesting 4:30 pm kickoff. The expansion side is 10-4 on the season on away days, taking 30 points. Will they be able to continue to be road warriors against an Atlanta side that is already eliminated from 2025 playoff contention, or will the Five-Stripes through a wrench into San Diego's Shield hopes?

Next MLS Match: @ Atlanta United | Saturday, September 20 | 4:30 pm EST

3rd Place: FC Cincinnati – 55 points from 30 games played

FC Cincinnati was stumbling a bit coming into September. They had failed to win a home game since July, going a whole month (four matches in all competitions) winless at home. It looked like they were going to suffer a fifth straight defeat on home soil against Nashville until Brenner and Evander struck late in the game to propel them to a 2-1 win. The win, coupled with San Diego and Philadelphia's losses, meant they came back into striking distance for the MLS Supporters' Shield.

As FCC heads into week 35, they will have to manage a big trip out west to take on the reigning MLS Cup Champions, LA Galaxy. Galaxy may have had an injury-riddled 2025 that has them a long shot to make the playoffs, but they can still produce moments of magic. Will Cincinnati be able to stifle them while continuing their winning ways?

Next MLS Match: @ LA Galaxy | Saturday, September 20 | 10:30 pm EST

4th Place: Minnesota United – 54 points from 30 games played

Minnesota secured a statement win last weekend, beating San Diego in their building. The Loons are now just three points off the Shield, but their midweek could dampen their spirits. Minnesota was about to enter a penalty shootout for the right to make it to the US Open Cup Final when they conceded a 120th goal to Austin FC. In any MLS season, teams have to manage the highs and lows, but how will Minnesota respond to a triumph and heartbreak coming in the same week?

A home matchup against the Chicago Fire could produce more highs or lows for the Loons. Will they be able to put out sparks of an end-of-season collapse, or will the flames be too hot to quell? With four games to go, Minnesota knows it will need to put its best foot forward to claim the Shield. Over the next five weeks, their sole focus will be to defy odds and hoist this trophy.

Next MLS Match: vs Chicago Fire | Saturday, September 20 | 8:30 pm EST

5th Place: Charlotte FC – 53 points from 30 games played

The hottest team in MLS produced the best performance last weekend as Charlotte FC wholloped Inter Miami 3-0. The beatdown continued CLTFC's win streak, now sitting at nine games, which tied an MLS record for consecutive wins in a season. Their late-season success has them four points off of the Supporters' Shield, could they keep winning and claim it?

Charlotte will look to break the single-season wins-in-a-row record Saturday at noon as they play NYCFC in some afternoon MLS action. Hitting 10 wins in a row would be an amazing achievement for any football club; doing it in MLS, however, might be more impressive thanks to the parity this league is known for. Let's see if Charlotte can do it, or if NYCFC can get a win and sneakily match Charlotte on points with four games to go!

Next MLS Match: @ NYCFC | Saturday, September 20 | 2:30 pm EST

Rounding out the rest of the contenders

It is baffling that MLS has so many good teams in its top third. The margins for error are razor-thin, and because no distance has been put between the Shield leaders and the rest of the pack, the pack has expanded and given more teams hope of being crowned the best in MLS's 2025 season. Take a look at the five-point gap between 6th and 12th place.

6th Place: Vancouver Whitecaps – 52 points from 28 games played

7th Place: Nashville SC– 50 points from 30 games played

8th Place: NYCFC – 50 points from 29 games played

9th Place: Inter Miami CF – 49 points from 27 games played

10th Place: Columbus Crew SC – 49 points from 30 games played

11th Place: Orlando City – 47 points from 29 games played

12th Place LAFC – 47 points from 28 games played

The competitive nature of this season in MLS is cutthroat. Unless one team's form stays consistently great over the last month of the season, we will likely see even more shuffling for the Supporters' Shield. One thing is certain: there will be drama, as five of the seven teams between 6th and 12th place have games in hand still to be played. Bring on another crazy weekend in MLS!

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