MLS 2025 starts with Messi, new signings and more: here’s what happened on week 1

After a long wait, Major League Soccer has finally returned to North America, kicking off its highly anticipated 2025 season.

This campaign promises excitement in stadiums across the United States and Canada while also providing a stage to track stars such as Lionel Messi, Diego Rossi, Christian Benteke, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Kévin Denkey, Jayden Nelson, and Anders Dreyer.

MLS 2025 week 1: key talking points

The season opener saw Messi deliver a brace of assists for Inter Miami in their 2-2 draw against New York City FC. Although The Herons had hoped for a better result, the legendary No. 10 led a strong response, with Tomás Avilés and Telasco Segovia finding the net—an encouraging start for Javier Mascherano’s side.

Meanwhile, Rossi played a key role in Columbus Crew’s 4-2 victory over Chicago Fire, scoring twice. The match also highlighted young Mexican-American talent Brian Gutiérrez, who netted both goals for the visitors.

In the same round of fixtures, Atlanta United introduced a new star to MLS, as record signing Emmanuel Latte Lath made an immediate impact with a brace in their thrilling 3-2 win over CF Montréal.

Similarly, FC Cincinnati’s Kévin Denkey, another high-profile signing, wasted no time making his mark. The Togolese forward scored the only goal in his side’s 1-0 victory over New York Red Bulls, having already debuted for the club in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Surprising results in MLS match day 1

Week 1 of the MLS season delivered standout performances, including two particularly impressive displays: Jayden Nelson was the standout player of the weekend, contributing three assists and a goal to propel Vancouver Whitecaps to a dominant victory. Anders Dreyer also made history, scoring twice to become San Diego FC’s first-ever goal scorer.

Notable results from week 1

• San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 Real Salt Lake
• Seattle Sounders 2-2 Charlotte FC
• Portland Timbers 1-4 Vancouver Whitecaps
• LA Galaxy 0-2 San Diego FC

Full week 1 results

• LAFC 1-0 Minnesota United
• Orlando City 2-4 Philadelphia Union
• DC United 2-2 Toronto FC
• Austin FC 1-0 Sporting KC
• Houston Dynamo 1-2 FC Dallas
• Nashville 0-0 New England Revolution
• St. Louis City SC 0-0 Colorado Rapids

With such an action-packed start, the 2025 MLS season is shaping up to be an exciting one for fans across North America.

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