Major League Soccer (MLS) welcomed its newest member, San Diego FC, this season, completing the league’s expansion to an impressive 30 teams.
With a remarkable start, San Diego finds itself tied for second in the Western Conference after half the regular season, boasting a total of 30 points.
San Diego FC’s debut has turned heads, currently sitting third in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
They’ve clinched victories in nine of their first 17 matches, demonstrating notable potential early in the season.
While some speculate that their relatively favorable schedule has played a role—having yet to face the likes of Vancouver, Minnesota, or Portland—it is hard to disregard the significance of collecting 30 points at this stage.
A closer look at the team’s performance reveals standout individual players contributing to the collective success.
Anders Dreyer shines as the club’s leading scorer with six goals, and he stands out as the league leader in assists with eight.
San Diego FC’s players also dominate the passing statistics; Christopher McVey, Paddy McNair, and Jeppe Tverskov occupy the top three spots for passes completed and attempted, each surpassing 1,200 completions.
Notably, this quick development of team chemistry is impressive, especially given that these players have never shared the field together prior to this season.
The influx of international talent reinforces the team’s aspirations, featuring recognized players like Dreyer, USMNT’s Luca de la Torre, and Mexico’s Chucky Lozano.
While some of their prominent stars will be temporarily missing due to international duties, San Diego possesses a wealth of MLS experience that may contribute to their formation as a competent squad.
This depth may partly explain why their inaugural season is on track to become one of the best starts for any MLS expansion franchise to date.
Since its establishment in 1996, MLS has introduced a total of 20 additional teams, but only two account for stronger beginnings than San Diego FC’s current standing.
The Chicago Fire achieved a stunning entrance in 1998, ending the season with the league’s championship titles in the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup, amassing 36 points through 17 games.
Using the updated scoring principles of today, Chicago would have accumulated 35 points, marking a historic inaugural performance.
Two decades later, only the Vegas Golden Knights, in the NHL, matched the feat of reaching championships in their debut season among major U.S. sports.
Other teams that have seen respectable beginnings include LAFC and St. Louis CITY.
LAFC secured 31 points midway through their first season in 2018, ultimately finishing third in the Western Conference and reaching the knockout stage of the playoffs.
St. Louis CITY, while one point shy of San Diego FC at 29 points, concluded their inaugural season atop the Western Conference standings.
Overall, the statistics indicate that San Diego FC is establishing itself with one of the most remarkable starts in MLS expansion history.
Turning to Minnesota United, it is noteworthy that while they didn’t quite match the meteoric rise of San Diego FC upon their entrance, 2025 appears to be their most successful start to date.
Previously, the highest point tally for the Loons through 17 matches was 26, so reaching 30 points signifies a tremendous leap forward this season.
Highlighted performances from players like Dayne St. Clair, who leads the league in clean sheets, and Tani Oluwaseyi, showcasing his talent with eight goals and multiple appearances in the Team of the Matchday, underscore the Loons’ competitiveness this year.
Superb play from Joaquín Pereyra and Michael Boxall has also solidified the ranks, contributing to the team’s overall stability as they rank among the top three in the league.
With only three losses so far, Minnesota United is demonstrating the strength and resilience required to contest on multiple fronts this season.
In summary, as the season progresses, the emergence of San Diego FC and the continued success of Minnesota United offer fans something exciting to look forward to in Major League Soccer.
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