Major League Soccer played out its fourth matchday of the 2025 season and it had entertainment in abundance. San Diego FC scored their first home goal, Vancouver Whitecaps remain 100%, Lionel Messi inspired an Inter Miami victory with a delicious dink, and Hassani Dotson hit a worldie.
Here’s five takeaways from Major League Soccer Matchday Four
Austin FC produce major upset in California
Austin FC’s start to the 2025 MLS season wasn’t exactly a strong one. They followed up their 1-0 opening-day victory with two 0-1 defeats.
Meanwhile, LAFC started with back-to-back 1-0s and wins in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, which took them to four wins on the bounce, with no goals conceded.
They’ve finished a nightmare week in poor fashion by losing 1-0 to Austin FC. This followed a 5-2 defeat against Seattle Sounders and a 2-1 Champions Cup defeat to Columbus Crew.
Austin’s victory over LAFC was the home side’s first defeat at BMO Stadium since September 2024.
Powered by former LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez, Austin’s rearguard action was impressive. The home side had more possession and the better of the momentum but Austin limited them to zero big chances (according to FotMob). Cengiz Ünder made his MLS debut and toiled on the right wing; he came close by curling a shot just around the post.
Austin’s keeper, Brad Stuver, made several decent saves. Brendan Hines-Ike led a strong defensive display and it was his fellow defender that gave The Verde and Black an unlikely lead.
Left-back Guilherme Biro rose highest from a 10th minute corner and powered a header low at the goal. Should Hugo Lloris have saved the effort? Probably yes. But surely Austin won’t care.
The away side’s big victory could be the kickstart their season needs. Meanwhile, LAFC need to turn around their poor run when they head to Kansas for their next match.
New England Revolution finally scored (sort’ve)
It’s been a miserable start to the MLS season for New England Revolution.
An opening day 0-0 was followed up by home defeats to Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union – 0-1 and 0-2 respectively.
One point after three games is poor but more shockingly, the Revs failed to score in each of those matches. There was a whole host of new signings in the off-season but most notably was the $2 million acquisition of Leonardo Campana. The forward swapped Messi and Miami for Carles Gil and New England.
He played more than 190 minutes this season before coming off injured early against the Union, but of course was goalless. Gil, the 2021 MLS MVP, has started poorly too, he has zero goal involvements in four games.
Despite losing the game against New York City FC, making it one point gained from an available 12; The Revs did at least score a goal… sort’ve.
In the 25th minute with the score locked at 0-0, Brandon Bye whipped in a cross from a deep position on the right flank. The ball bounces awkwardly in the box before NYCFC captain Thiago Martins impressively shins a clearance past the keeper and into the back of the net.
So sure, The Revs have broken their goal drought… but have they really?
Have Sporting Kansas City kick-started their season thanks to a thrilling comeback?
Sporting KC were yet to pick up a point in MLS this season until a remarkable fightback got them their first.
It’d been a turgid first 45. Despite owning more of the possession, SKC went in at the break two-nil down to a Minnesota United side that had shown immense clinicality in front of goal.
Hassani Dotson had opened the scoring with a truly immense shot from distance. The first-time volley nearly took the net off. Tani Oluwaseyi made it 0-2 and then extended it further a mere matter of moments into the second half.
At 0-3, the tie looked done and dusted.
But SKC showed a spirit and passion that has been missing of late. They also demonstrated an attacking directness that hasn’t been noticeable in previous games this season.
Daniel Salloi raced in behind the Minnesota United backline and poked past the outrushing keeper. Four minutes later an unfortunate Morris Duggan own goal gave a now almost-empty Children’s Mercy Park some real hope.
It wouldn’t take long for the scores to be level.
Dejan Joveljic, the big summer signing from LA Galaxy, latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box, stepped forward, and curled a shot in off the half post. This completed a 12 minute comeback.
Sporting Kansas City will surely be delighted to have their first point on the board. The stunning comeback might just give the team the boost it needs, after its poor run of form. Players such as Joveljic can be excellent MLS performers, and long-time coach Peter Vermes will be looking for the Serbian specifically to step up.
Meanwhile, for Eric Ramsay’s Loons, the match showed the beautiful and ugly sides of his team. The superb 0-3 lead seemed to have earned Minnesota United their third win on the trot, but a catalogue of defensive errors and shortcomings allowed the home side back in.
This collapse must be a one-off if they’re to consider themselves in a Supporters Shield race.
San Diego FC scored their first-ever home goal
Of all the exciting signings for the new expansion signing, Onni Valakari wasn’t one of the highly anticipated ones. But he’s written himself in San Diego and MLS history by scoring the club’s first-ever home goal.
They had drawn 0-0 with St. Louis CITY in their inaugural home match and looked to be losing their second one when Max Arfsten gave Columbus Crew a 13th minute lead.
Malte Amundsen’s red card for the visitors turned the game, however, and eight minutes later the 30,000 in the Snapdragon Stadium were roaring.
Valakari, who is on loan from Pafos FC, rose well from a corner to guide a header into the net.
There’s a certain elephant-in-the-room vibe when a club is yet to officially score at home. Although it is a scenario that is almost exclusively limited to MLS.
With the monkey now off their back and the elephant shown the door, San Diego FC will surely look forward to scoring more and more at home. They’re on the road in Austin for the next match, one primed for Sunday Night Soccer, but when LAFC come to town soon, SDFC will surely be ready.
Vancouver Whitecaps continue their perfect run to set their record
For the first time in Vancouver Whitecaps history, they’ve gained 12 points from the first four games. The perfect run. They’re only the seventh team to achieve this feat in MLS history too.
The Whitecaps are the early pace-setters in the league. The 12 points are unmatched, and their +7 goal difference is the highest. Only Philadelphia Union has scored more.
They headed to Dallas for matchday four, after what was a particularly tiring 2-2 draw with Mexican giants, Monterrey in midweek (a tie they progressed in thanks to away goals).
Vancouver were without one of their brightest stars too, with Ryan Gauld out injured.
It mattered not though, as The ‘Caps left Toyota Stadium with a 0-1 victory thanks to a powerful header from centre-back Tristan Blackmon.
Are the Whitecaps now the favourite for the Supporters Shield?
They weren’t many people’s favourites pre-season and there is still doubt over the depth in the roster. But if they can keep Brian White fit and firing, they have every chance of being at the right end of the table.