MLS Western Conference picture, top half (September 10, 2025)

The 30th regular season in Major League Soccer is shaping up to be one of the more historic, not every team is feeling the celebrations this year.

Surprisingly, the defending 2024 MLS Cup champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy, are at the bottom of the standings. Their record of 4-8-16 is rather unimpressive, yet their playoff hopes are still alive.

Newcomers San Diego FC have not relinquished their hold over first place in weeks. They became the first club in Western Conference and all of MLS to secure a spot in this year's postseason. Shortly after, Minnesota United FC clinched a playoff berth as well.

Let's take a look at each of the top nine teams and some other potentials with a realistic shot at getting into the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.

1. San Diego FC (17-5-7), 56 points

When a player has 31 goal contributions in 29 games for your soccer club, it's not hard to see why you're in first place. Anders Dreyer has 14 goals and 17 assists for San Diego in 2025.

His teammate Hirving Lozano has been a major factor on offense, too. He has nine goals and seven assists this season, as well.

San Diego has only two games at home in their final five. That includes their upcoming match against Minnesota United. A second win against their closest threat would help the MLS newcomers secure the top seed.

2. Minnesota United FC (14-9-6), 51 points

The second place team in the MLS Western Conference proved they belong in the playoffs last year no matter what their seeding as. As the sixth seed, Minnesota upset the third-seed Real Salt in 2024.

The team is poised for further success again this year. Beating San Diego FC this weekend will go along way to help them, too.

Tani Oluwaseyi has been one of their best players with 18 goal contributions in 2025 (10 goals and eight assists), though he has since left the team to join Villarreal in La Liga. Their goalkeeper, Dayne St. Clair, is also a part of their 14 wins.

This season, the 28-year-old Canadian has 79 saves while allowing just 23 goals in 25 starts. With nine clean sheets on the season, a tenth this weekend could put Minnesota United FC in the discussion as a legit MLS Cup contender.

3. Vancouver Whitecaps (14-7-6), 49 points

This team was the ninth seed in last year's MLS Western Conference playoffs and beat the Portland Timbers in the Wild Card Round. Now, they are one of the best teams in the West and rightfully so.

This team is well rested as they have not played since before Labor Day Weekend. Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter have split duties with the Whitecaps and the US Men's National Team. Combined, the two stars have a total of 16 goals and seven assists.

The addition of Thomas Müller was crucial to Vancouver's roster. Beware, though, as their major blemish of the season is a pair of 3-0 shutout losses that were back-to-back against the LA Galaxy and the Colorado Rapids.

4. Seattle Sounders (12-8-7), 44 points & 5. LAFC (11-8-7), 41 points

This is an interesting potential first round playoff series should it stick. It is a rematch of last season's MLS Western Conference Semifinals.

The Seattle Sounders have already proven they are a championship-caliber team by winning the 2025 Leagues Cup this month. Goalkeeper Andy Thomas has proven he is a capable backup in goal for Stefan Frei. Furthermore, the Sounders won the last two games of the Leagues Cup without leading scorer Daniel Musovski.

As for LAFC, Denis Bouanga is still a potent offensive player as he has leads his team in scoring (15 goals) and assists (7). He has help from Nathan Ordaz (five goals and four assists), and former LA Galaxy midfielder Marky Delgado (three goals, six assists).

Of LAFC's final games this MLS season, two are against Real Salt Lake and one is against a lowly Toronto FC club. Either way, the Sounders and LAFC should not be overlooked no matter where they sit in the MLS Western Conference Standings.

6. Austin FC (11-8-9), 41 points

After grinding out a 2-1 victory last Sunday on the road against Sporting Kansas City, this might be the only MLS team from Texas to make the Western Conference in the playoffs. Since their US Open loss to San Jose (via penalty kicks), Austin FC has gone unbeaten in seven of their last eight games.

This team isn't flashy or known to be a high-scoring threat. Owen Wolff is their leading scorer with five goals, tied with two others, Myrto Uzuni and Brandon Vazquez. Wolff also has the most assists for Austin FC in 2025 with seven.

With games against Minnesota United FC, LAFC and the Seattle Sounder, Austin FC can leapfrog some of the teams ahead of them in the MLS Western Conference. They also have matches against Real Salt Lake and St. Louis City SC who are both far below them in the standings.