MLS Winners and Losers: Cavan Sullivan's USMNT Buzz Grows, St. Louis City SC’s Front Office Shines, Chicago Fire Feels Hugo Cuypers’ Absence

MLS Matchday 26 Highlights Impactful Teams in Both Conferences

What a weekend for MLS. One Eastern Conference team keeps climbing toward serious contention while an anxious Western side faces growing concerns. Let’s dive into who thrived and who struggled.

Winner: Corey Wray and St. Louis City SC’s Bold Moves

Corey Wray, the Sporting Director of St. Louis City SC, was under fire after trading away their top midfielders just as momentum built. Fans were puzzled, but Wray stood firm. Soon after, he signed Damion Downs from Southampton and Colorado’s star Rafa Navarro. The payoff? Since those moves, St. Louis has been on fire, scoring four goals against Minnesota United on Saturday. Looks like the front office gambled well.

Loser: Tata Martino and Atlanta United’s Struggles

Atlanta United coach Tata Martino didn’t mince words after his team’s goalless draw with D.C. United. He admitted two points were lost. Both teams have had rough seasons, but Atlanta boasts high-end talent like Miguel Almiron, Breel Embolo, and Aleksey Miranchuk. Yet cohesion remains missing. Against D.C., Atlanta fired 20 shots with 14 on target, hitting the woodwork once, but failed to score. Seven points shy of playoffs, the pressure mounts.

Winner: Hugo Cuypers Missed by Chicago Fire

Robert Lewandowski has delivered goals for Chicago Fire, netting six in 10 games. Still, the team feels the absence of Hugo Cuypers. Cuypers’ relentless off-ball runs helped apply pressure and disrupt attacks. At 38, Lewandowski can’t cover that ground anymore, placing more on teammates to maintain defensive shape. The recent 2-1 loss to New England showed this gap. Chicago dominated possession and shots but left space opponents exploited. This is a team-wide issue rather than Lewandowski’s alone.

Loser: LAFC’s Fading MLS Cup Ambitions

Before the season, predictions tipped LAFC as potential MLS Cup winners, given talents like Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga. That optimism is fading. A harsh defeat to rebuilding Sporting KC highlighted defensive frailties and lack of sharpness upfront. Andre Luiz, Sporting’s big summer signing, tormented them throughout. LAFC now look like a solid playoff team but fall short of true title contender status.

Winner: Cavan Sullivan’s Meteoric Rise

Cavan Sullivan continues to impress with the Philadelphia Union, bagging two goals against San Diego and earning Player of the Matchday honors. Since the World Cup break, Sullivan has tallied nine goal contributions, on pace to shatter the league record for teenager goal involvements set by Diego Fagundez in 2013. With one more full season before heading to Manchester City, fans should savor every moment.

Loser: Western Conference Playoff Hopefuls Missed Opportunities

Among teams placed eighth through twelfth in the West, only the LA Galaxy managed a point over the weekend; none secured a win. Just two points separate ninth-place San Diego from 14th-place Seattle, but uneven games played complicate things. Seattle salvaged a late 1-1 draw thanks to Paul Arriola’s equalizer against the Galaxy, keeping playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, Portland, San Diego, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, and Minnesota United missed chances to climb.