With just two months left in the 2025 MLS regular season, the Supporters’ Shield race is heating up.

Given to the team that earns the most points in the regular season, the Supporters’ Shield may not have the same cache as MLS Cup, but it’s a key way to reward the most consistent team throughout a full season.

This 2025 Supporters’ Shield race is set to be historic. Using home and away points per game averaged out over the remaining schedule, six teams are currently on pace to earn 60 points or more, with three others on pace for 58-59. To add context to this, since the league was founded in 1996, only 29 teams have ever finished with 60-plus points. 2024 saw four teams finish with 60-plus points, the most in league history. 

No team with 60 points has ever finished lower than second in its conference. No team with 60 points has ever finished lower than fourth in the Supporters’ Shield race. We could see both those records fall this year.

Let’s dive in and break down the contenders.

9. Orlando City

Points behind leader: 7
Points per game: 1.69
Matches left: 8
Home matches left: 4
Avg. ppg of opponents: 1.45
Key matches: at Nashville (Aug 23), vs Vancouver (Aug 30), vs Nashville (Sep 20), at Cincinnati (Sep 27), vs Columbus (Oct 4)

Orlando City is one of the in-form teams in MLS at the moment, winning three in a row, including last weekend’s 4-1 demolition of Inter Miami. The Lions are miserable to play against, have a deep attacking rotation, and a bona fide MVP candidate in Martin Ojeda. Their remaining schedule, though, is brutal. Orlando’s opponents have the highest average points per game of any team on this list at 1.45, and five of its remaining eight matches are against fellow Shield contenders. It’s probably too much for them to truly challenge for the trophy, but they can certainly play spoiler to several other teams here.

8. Minnesota United

Points behind leader: 7
Points per game: 1.69
Matches left: 8
Home matches left: 4
Avg. ppg of opponents: 1.32
Key matches: at Seattle (Aug 16), at San Diego (Sep 13)

Minnesota United is another surprise team here, but it’s been incredibly effective in Eric Ramsay’s first full season on the touchline. The Loons prefer to play without the ball, with their 40.1% possession average the lowest in MLS. This makes them incredibly difficult to play against, baiting teams into coming upfield and then launching lethal counterattacks the other way. They have a manageable schedule, but would need an incredible string of results to hoist the Shield. Watch out for them in the playoffs, though!

7. Columbus Crew

Points behind leader: 7
Points per game: 1.76
Matches left: 9
Home matches left: 3
Avg. ppg of opponents: 1.25
Key matches: at New York City FC (Sep 17), at Orlando (Oct 4)

This far down on the list, every team is something of a long shot. The Columbus Crew, though, are in decent form, winning five of its last eight, and have newly signed DP striker Wessam Abou Ali en route to join the team. Getting him adapted will be crucial for them down the stretch. The Crew has a game in hand on most teams, and while it only plays three matches at home, it has the second-weakest remaining schedule, and only plays three teams on pace for playoff position. Could the Crew pull off a shocker?

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