MLS season reset: Teams to watch in the second half of the season

MLS Season Reset: Teams to Watch in the Second Half of the Season

According to Sports.

Background

Sebastian Berhalter plays an important role for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are on the road to success again in 2025 after a record-breaking season. His performances in the first half of the season have contributed significantly to the current standings and could be crucial for the team's ambitions in the second half of the season.

Why this is important

The return of Major League Soccer after the 2026 FIFA World Cup is crucial for the teams that established themselves in the first half of the season. The Vancouver Whitecaps, led by players like Sebastian Berhalter and Thomas Müller, show they are ready to repeat their success from last season. The strong performance from the Whitecaps and Nashville SC could significantly impact the league's momentum and increase excitement in the second half of the season.

Key findings

• MLS Season Reset: Teams to Watch in the Second Half of the Season.
• Major League Soccer starts the second half of the season after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• 🔁 MLS Season Reset: Teams to look out for in the second half of the season - Yahoo Sports.

After an extended break during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Major League Soccer is back! For anyone who needs a quick refresher, here are the clubs to watch out for in the second half of the season. On July 25, Orlando City will face Nashville SC at 7:30 p.m. ET and New York Red Bulls will face Charlotte at 6:30 p.m. ET. Minnesota will also face Vancouver on July 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET. **The league leaders** The Vancouver Whitecaps have seamlessly continued their form after a record season in 2025, which ended with reaching the MLS Cup. With 32 points from 14 games and an impressive goal difference of +22, they go into the break as league leaders. Players like Sebastian Berhalter and Thomas Müller are showing their class early in the year and the Canadian team has the potential to repeat last season's success. In the East, Nashville SC dominates, leading the Supporters' Shield standings, just one point ahead of Vancouver. B. J. Callaghan's side remain unbeaten at home, with six wins and one draw. With strong performances from Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, this could be Nashville's year. **Spring surprises** At the beginning of the year, few would have expected the San Jose Earthquakes to be one of the best teams in the league. But with German star Timo Werner they have shown impressive performances. San Jose started with eight wins from their first nine games, setting a record as they become the first MLS team in the post-overtime era to do so. The club extended the contract with coach Bruce Arena during the World Cup break due to these successes. The start of the Chicago Fire is also surprising. In Gregg Berhalter's second season as coach, he led Chicago to 26 points in 14 games. Golden Boot leader Hugo Cuypers has already scored 13 goals, and after Robert Lewandowski's move to Chicago, it is now his turn to take over the goalscoring role. **The Playoff Race** Orlando City wants to increase its ambitions in the second half of the season with French superstar Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid. After a rocky start with just one win from the first eight games and the dismissal of coach Óscar Pareja, Orlando is four points behind the playoff places. Griezmann will hopefully boost the offense, along with fellow Designated Players Marco Pašalić and Martín Ojeda. In the West, San Diego FC, which entered the MLS as an expansion team in 2025, did excellently last year. However, after reaching the Conference Finals, the team struggled to assert itself in the second half of the season and is just outside the playoff places with 17 points from 15 games. **Teams to Watch** Michael Bradley has developed Red Bull New York into one of the most exciting teams in the league. A former captain of the USMNT, he took over as coach before the 2026 season and led the league's youngest team, with an average age of 23.5 years, to fifth place in the East. Under his leadership he set a record by naming a starting eleven with three players under the age of 17. On the other hand, there is Lionel Messi and his team in Miami, who despite their brilliance only managed to win two of the first six MLS games at the newly opened Nu Stadium, but were almost unbeatable on a foreign pitch with 22 points from nine games before the break. In summary, the second half of the MLS season has exciting stories and players that will excite fans. The coming games could be crucial for the playoff places and the championship.

What happens next

There are several exciting games coming up on July 25th, including the duel between Orlando City and Nashville SC and the clash between Minnesota and Vancouver. These games could be crucial for the league lead and the playoff places. Fans of MLS football should closely follow the teams' progress, especially the performances of Sebastian Berhalter and other key players who could make the difference.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current status of the MLS season after the World Cup break?

Major League Soccer is back after an extended break during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the second half of the season is about to begin.

Which teams should you keep an eye on in the second half of the season?

Teams to keep an eye on include the Vancouver Whitecaps, Nashville SC, San Jose Earthquakes, Chicago Fire, Orlando City and San Diego FC.

Who confirmed the contract extension of the San Jose Earthquakes coach?

The San Jose Earthquakes have extended the contract with coach Bruce Arena during the World Cup break due to the team's impressive performances.

Why are the Vancouver Whitecaps and Nashville SC so successful in the league?

The Vancouver Whitecaps lead the league with 32 points from 14 games and a goal difference of +22, while Nashville SC leads the Supporters' Shield standings nd remains undefeated at home.

Which players were particularly impressive in the first half of the season?

Sebastian Berhalter and Thomas Müller at the Vancouver Whitecaps and Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge at Nashville SC were particularly convincing.

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