Look at the MLS playoff field long enough and you can make a case that all 16 teams have what it takes to be contenders -- or that they're pretenders.

Two competitive teams in the Eastern Conference meet up in the Queen City on Tuesday night, as Charlotte FC and New York City FC lock horns in Game 1 of their first-round series in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Both Estévez and Gallagher noted that playing in four elimination games during the team’s run to the U.S. Open Cup final was good preparation for the playoffs. Austin FC won two of those contests on the road, defeating San Jose in a penalty shootout and beating Minnesota with a goal in extra time.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi says MLS needs to loosen its restrictions on how clubs build their rosters in order to grow soccer's footprint in the United States.

MLS’ salary cap rules are a staple of the league, but Messi says it limits the ability of the league to attract top talent.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has challenged Major League Soccer to relax its rules on spending in pursuit of wider growth across the league.

James Rodríguez is reportedly set to leave Club León at the end of the Apertura 2025, as his contract expires in December and neither side intends to renew. With only six months remaining before the 2026 World Cup, the former Real Madrid star will have to find a new destination and could either stay in Liga MX or make the move to MLS.

Tristan Blackmon of the Vancouver Whitecaps was named the 2025 MLS Defender of the Year on Tuesday. He anchored a defense that allowed the second-fewest goals (38) and logged the second-most clean sheets (13).