Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 15 matches played on the 33rd matchday of the 2025 MLS regular season on Saturday, September 13.
Highlights of the matchday included:
- With all 30 clubs in action, Matchday 33 saw 57 goals scored, equaling the MLS record for the most goals on a single day which was previously done on August 6, 2022. Twenty-six of 30 teams scored on Saturday night, and more than 65% of matches featured at least three goals
- Three teams clinched an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot on Saturday – Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC – while Atlanta United and Toronto FC were eliminated from playoff contention.
- For the first time in MLS history, four different players scored a hat trick on the same day – Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew), and Idan Toklomati (Charlotte FC). For Müller and Toklomati, it marked their first-ever MLS hat trick, whereas Bouanga and Rossi each totaled their third, tying for the third most among active players.
- Entering Matchday 33, the Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC had five-point and four-point gap respectively over the next-closest teams in the Supporters’ Shield standings. Following Saturday night’s action, the standings have gotten even closer with six clubs now separated by five points. Among the major winners was Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which now controls its own destiny.
- The San Jose Earthquakes hosted LAFC at Levi’s Stadium in front of a packed crowd of 50,978, which also marked the club’s single-game attendance record.
- Minnesota United FC’s Nectarios Triantis made his MLS debut in style by scoring 29 minutes after coming on as a substitute with a sensational effort from 62.07 yards (Watch Here). Triantis recently joined the Loons this summer as a U22 Initiative signing from Sunderland in the English Premier League.
Toklomati Leads Charlotte to Historic Ninth-Straight Win
Powered by a first-half goal and a historic hat trick from Idan Toklomati (Watch Here), Charlotte FC earned a statement win over Inter Miami CF on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to nine matches, which tied the Seattle Sounders (2018) for the longest single-season streak in MLS history (excluding the shootout era). Charlotte (17-11-2) continues its remarkable climb in the Eastern Conference, clinching their spot in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Toklomati’s three-goal performance marked just the second regular-season hat trick in club history, joining Daniel RÃos, who netted four goals on October 1, 2022. The 21-year-old forward became just the second player in MLS history, aged 21 or younger, to record a goal contribution in seven consecutive matches, a feat previously accomplished by only Andy Williams (1998).
Charlotte will look to extend its winning streak when they return to action next Saturday to face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
Thomas Müller Bags Birthday Hat Trick
It was quite the birthday for Thomas Müller on Matchday 33 as the German legend scored a hat trick and added an assist in Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s dominant 7-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union. On his 36th birthday, Müller showed that age is just a number as he became the first player in MLS history to record a hat trick on his birthday. In his first two starts, Müller is up to three goals and two assists for a surging Whitecaps side.
Vancouver’s seven-goal outburst against the Supporters’ Shield-leading Philadelphia Union saw the club move just five points back from Philadelphia with two games in hand. The Whitecaps became the seventh team in MLS history to win a game by seven goals and the second this year, joining the New York Red Bulls (May 10). With Müller fitting in seamlessly and an abundance of roster depth, Vancouver is a real threat to win the Shield.
Prior to resuming MLS action, the Whitecaps will continue their chase for a Canadian Championship trophy in the second leg of the semifinal against Forge FC on Tuesday, September 16.
Evander’s Heroics Help Cincinnati Make History
Behind Evander’s crucial assist and last-second game-winning strike, FC Cincinnati secured a 2-1 victory on Saturday night in a crucial Eastern Conference battle against Nashville SC. The win made MLS history as the Orange and Blue became the first club to record 55 regular-season wins across a three-season span (excluding the shootout era).
With his assist, Evander etched his name into the MLS record books, becoming just the seventh player in league history to tally at least 15 goals and 10 assists in back-to-back seasons. Evander once again was pivotal for Cincinnati, scoring the game-winning goal in the 90+8’ after a thunderous strike to secure the win and clinch a spot in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs (Watch Here).
Cincinnati will aim to secure consecutive wins when the club goes on the road to face the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
Crew Go Goal-Crazy in First Half, Hold on For Thrilling Win
The signs that Matchday 33 was going to be wild were evident early on as the Columbus Crew put on a first-half clinic against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Columbus scored five first-half goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead after the first 45 minutes. It marked the first time in club history that the Crew scored at least five goals in the first half, and it was just the third time they had done so in any half.
Leading the attack was forward Diego Rossi, who bagged his third career regular-season hat trick, doing so in the opening 39 minutes. Rossi’s three goals helped him equal his previous single-season career high of 16, which he accomplished with LAFC in 2019. Rossi was forced off with an injury shortly after achieving his hat trick and the Crew barely held on for a 5-4 victory in the match. Columbus now sits fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and travel to face New York City FC on Wednesday, September 17 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Bouanga and Son Proving a Dangerous Duo For LAFC
It’s only been five games together for LAFC, but Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min look to be the new iconic duo in club history with a convincing 4-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at Levi’s Stadium. LAFC have had notable duos since entering MLS, from Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi to Chicho Arango and José Cifuentes. The new dynamic duo of Bouanga and Son dominated on Matchday 33 as they combined to score all four of LAFC’s goals in the road victory.
Son struck just 54 seconds into the match, tying for the third-fastest goal in club history (Watch Here). Bouanga took it from there, producing the third regular-season hat trick of his career, which equaled Carlos Vela for the most in LAFC history. Son, Bouanga, and LAFC are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to face Real Salt Lake at America First Field (9:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
