MLS Winners and Losers: Cavan Sullivan's USMNT Rise, St. Louis City SC's Smart Moves, and Chicago Fire's Cuypers Void
Cavan Sullivan is becoming the talk of US soccer. Not long ago, he struggled for minutes before his transfer to Manchester City. Now, he's hailed as a star set to lead the USMNT to success by September. The hype might be a bit much, but the buzz around him grows daily.
Meanwhile, MLS action kept fans on edge. Inter Miami fluctuates wildly between brilliance and mediocrity in short bursts. Antoine Griezmann has made scoring look easy again with five straight games finding the net, including a game-winning goal for Orlando City in their 3-0 win over Toronto FC.
Over in Chicago, Robert Lewandowski’s arrival has stirred debate. Can a top scorer actually disrupt his team’s rhythm? That question lingers amid the drama.
Winner: Corey Wray
Corey Wray, St. Louis CITY’s Sporting Director, faced criticism after selling key midfielders mid-season. Fans were puzzled as the team was gaining momentum. But his confidence proved justified when he secured Damion Downs from Southampton and Colorado’s Rafa Navarro. Since then, St. Louis has been unstoppable, scoring four against Minnesota United.
Wray’s bold moves may have sparked St. Louis’s recent success.
Loser: Tata Martino
Atlanta United’s coach, Tata Martino, was blunt after a 0-0 draw with D.C. United, calling it a loss of two points. Both teams have struggled this season. Atlanta has quality players like Miguel Almiron, Breel Embolo, and Aleksey Miranchuk upfront, yet the team still lacks cohesion.
In the match, Atlanta had 20 shots with 14 on target but failed to score. Now seven points shy of a playoff spot, Martino faces pressure to find solutions.
Winner: Hugo Cuypers (from afar)
Chicago Fire benefit from Robert Lewandowski’s goals, but they miss Hugo Cuypers’ relentless off-ball work. Cuypers’ effort helped Chicago press high and disrupt opponents early. Lewandowski, at 38, cannot cover as much ground, so teammates must adjust their defensive coordination.
The 2-1 loss to New England showed how Chicago’s defense can be vulnerable if pressing fails. This issue isn’t on Lewandowski alone but the whole team’s structure. Chicago doesn’t need drastic changes, just better balance.
Loser: LAFC’s MLS Cup Chances
Before the season, some tipped LAFC for the MLS Cup. With players like Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga, expectations were high. Yet a tough loss to rebuilding Sporting KC exposed defensive frailties and lack of offensive sharpness.
LAFC still have a shot, but right now, they look like a solid playoff team rather than title favorites.
Winner: Cavan Sullivan (again)
Sullivan earned MLS Player of the Matchday after scoring twice against San Diego. Since the World Cup break, he’s contributed to nine goals, chasing the teenager record held by Diego Fagundez. The Philadelphia Union thrives with him leading the charge, and he has another full season before moving to Man City.
Loser: Western Conference Playoff Hopefuls
None of the teams ranked eighth through 12th in the West won during the weekend. Only the LA Galaxy grabbed a point with a 1-1 draw against Seattle thanks to Marco Reus’s penalty.
The tight race means just one win or loss can dramatically shift standings. Seattle remains in the hunt after Paul Arriola’s late equalizer but most others missed crucial chances to climb the table.
- Teams 8th to 12th place: No wins
- LA Galaxy: 1 point from draw vs Seattle
- Seattle Sounders: Late equalizer keeps hopes alive
- Other playoff hopefuls missing chance: Portland, San Diego, RSL, Minnesota United
