GOAL takes a look at emerging trends and storylines ahead of MLS Matchday 6
Matchday 6 of the MLS campaign here, with the final stretch March set to kickoff Saturday. All 32 teams across the league have earned at least one point, while just two remain unbeaten.
Heading into the weekend, the Philadelphia Union top the MLS Supporters' Shield standings, while a four-way tie at the bottom – one point each – exists between Sporting KC, Toronto FC, New England Revolution and CF Montreal.
The latter Canadian side are looking for a major bounce-back after firing head coach Laurent Courtois Monday just five games into the season. Meanwhile, towards the top of the table, Inter Miami return to the pitch after a Matchday 5 bye. However, one lingering question around the looms: How many minutes can Lionel Messi play?
"Leo is good, God willing and if nothing weird happens, he will be named to the matchday roster," manager Javier Mascherano said Friday.
Meanwhile, another big name is returning from injury in the form of Chucky Lozano, as San Diego FC prepare for a Western Conference clash with Steve Cherundolo's LAFC. The No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the standings will go head-to-head as the Mexico international will look to make an impact after missing three matches in March.
GOAL dives into all that and more in The Kickoff, a weekly preview of MLS Matchdays.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportMessi's fight for fitness
Inter Miami return to action this weekend after a Matchday 5 bye, with the sitting second in the race for the Supporters' Shield and the Eastern Conference regular season title.
Messi, meanwhile, has only played in two of their five regular season matches to begin the 2025 campaign due to what was initially "load management" – but then developed into a muscle injury that caused him to miss out on the March international break with Argentina.
The forward trained with the first-team on Friday, completing the session – and all eyes point to him being ready to feature against the first-place Philadelphia Union this weekend. But based on how his 2025 campaign has gone to begin the season, there undoubtedly will be caution.
The good news is Javier Mascherano has made him available for selection – though it remains uncertain if that's in contention for the XI, or off the bench.
For Miami as a whole, though, this will be an early, defining contest. Through five weeks, the Union are their biggest threat in the Eastern Conference, and a win would push Miami up to the top of both respective tables. One of just two remaining unbeaten teams, along with the Columbus Crew, Miami have a lot on the line heading into Matchday 6 that extends beyond Messi.
If Mascherano can find a result, it might finally put some belief into him as a senior manager from outside critics, as well.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLozano returns
San Diego FC manager Mikey Varas has confirmed that start attacker and Mexico international Chucky Lozano will be available for selection Saturday against LAFC, handing the expansion franchise a much needed boost.
The winger has not featured for SDFC since a 0-0 draw against St. Louis CITY SC on Matchday 2, when he was subbed off 31 minutes into the match with a lower leg injury. On Matchday 1 against the LA Galaxy, Lozano bagged the game-winning assist in a 2-0 win over the reigning champions, putting his class on display.
Now he's returning at a crucial juncture for the 2025 expanson side, ahead of arguably their biggest match of the season against Cherundolo and the .
Sitting in spots three and four in the Western Conference, the two sides are set to clash this weekend in a battle of excellence on the pitch. San Diego have yet to earn three points in front of their home fans, with two draws on the season at Snapdragon Stadium.
Saturday will present them with a chance to pull the double against the city Los Angeles to begin the season and hand them their first home victory of the campaign.
For Lozano it would be an opportunity to make an impact for his new team in a huge match – ultimately, the reason he was brought in from Europe ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Getty Images SportMontreal's new era
Laurent Courtois was sacked earlier this week, with the second-year manager the first firing of the 2025 MLS season.
It stunned many, considering CF MTL were handed a seven-match away streak to start the season, and the fact that the club are one of the league's lowest spenders – while also being the youngest starting XI. Marco Donadel is now the interim head coach, and he'll look to spark some inspiration into his team as they search for their first three points of the season.
Sitting on one point through five weeks, the Fire take on Gregg Berhalter's Chicago Fire – a team in blistering form. They've won three straight and striker Hugo Cuypers has five goals this season.
Montreal, meanwhile, will look to create a sense of momentum with their new project under Donadel, with the likes of Canada's Nathan Saliba and Samuel Piette leading the way, alongside U.S. international Caden Clark.
Getty Images SportWhat's trending?
+ Chicago Fire striker Hugo Cuypers has scored in four straight games, and this Saturday against CF Montreal, he could become only the third player in Fire history with goals in five straight. A victory would give Chicago four straight wins for the first time since 2017.
+ Against Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas star Lucho Acosta could become just the seventh player in MLS history to score 75 goals and have 75-plus assists, as well. He has 74 goals and 97 assists throughout his MLS career.
+ Austin FC forward Owen Wolff has recorded three game-winning assists to start the 2025 season. With a fourth against St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday, the Homegrown product would be just the second MLS player to achieve such a feat within the first six matches of the season, alongside SKC playmaker Graham Zusi in 2012.