MLS Winners and Losers: Cavan Sullivan’s USMNT Buzz, St. Louis City SC’s Smart Moves, and Chicago Fire’s Struggles Without Hugo Cuypers
Rising Stars and Surprises in MLS Matchday 26
Cavan Sullivan is turning heads again. Not long ago, he was struggling for minutes before his move to Manchester City. Now, he’s being hailed as a potential USMNT leader before the month ends. The comparisons to Lionel Messi might be exaggerated, but the excitement around him is real.
The weekend saw Inter Miami oscillate between brilliance and mediocrity in short bursts. Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann continues to impress at Orlando City, scoring for the fifth consecutive game and delivering his third straight match-winner in a 3-0 victory over Toronto FC.
In Chicago, Robert Lewandowski has sparked debate—can a prolific scorer sometimes disrupt team balance? Soccer never stops providing puzzles.
Winner: Corey Wray
St. Louis City SC’s Sporting Director took criticism for selling top midfielders just as the team gained momentum, but his moves paid off. After acquiring Damion Downs and Rafa Navarro, St. Louis went on a tear, putting four goals past Minnesota United. Fans were puzzled at first, but the front office’s strategy looks solid now.
Loser: Tata Martino
Atlanta United’s head coach admitted losing two points after a frustrating 0-0 against D.C. United, a crucial result given both teams’ struggles. Atlanta boasts a powerful attack with Miguel Almiron, Breel Embolo, and Aleksey Miranchuk, but the rest of the squad lacks cohesion. Despite dominating with 20 shots and 14 on target, they couldn’t find the net and now sit seven points outside the playoff zone.
Winner: Hugo Cuypers (from afar)
Chicago Fire have benefited from Robert Lewandowski’s goals, but they miss Hugo Cuypers’ relentless off-ball work that helped apply pressure and disrupt opponents early. At 38, Lewandowski can’t cover as much ground, so teammates must step up their defensive coordination. Their recent 2-1 loss to New England showed how vulnerability in transition still haunts them. The issue isn’t Lewandowski alone; it’s a collective challenge.
Loser: LAFC’s MLS Cup Chances
LAFC entered the season as favorites, but a poor loss to a rebuilding Sporting KC revealed their fragility. Andre Luiz, Sporting’s summer signing, gave them trouble, and LAFC looked weak defensively and ineffective up front. While they remain a playoff-level team, expectations of a title run are fading fast.
Winner: Cavan Sullivan (again)
Sullivan earned Player of the Matchday honors after scoring twice against San Diego. Since the World Cup break, he has nine goal contributions, putting him on track to beat the teenage goal involvement record held by Diego Fagundez since 2013. The Philadelphia Union are thriving with him, and fans should enjoy his performances before he heads to Manchester City.
Loser: Western Conference Playoff Hopefuls
No team ranked eighth through twelfth in the West won this weekend. Only the LA Galaxy managed a draw, missing a critical chance in a tight playoff race. Just two points separate ninth-place San Diego from last-place Seattle, though uneven games played complicate things. Seattle earned a late equalizer against LA, keeping their faint hopes alive, but Portland, San Diego, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, and Minnesota United missed their opportunity to climb.
