mls xg etc.

By Anonymous (not verified), October 16, 2025

For Immediate Release
MLS Communications

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Decision Day 2025

Philadelphia Looks to Punctuate Record-Setting 2025 Season

Having already secured the Supporters’ Shield as the club with the best regular-season record, the Philadelphia Union (66 points, 20-7-6) look to punctuate a magical 2025 regular season as it travels to take on Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on Decision Day (6 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). The Union, which sits one point behind the club record of 67 points established in 2022 (19-5-10), already owns the most wins in a single season in club history with 20.

With a victory over Charlotte on Saturday night, the Union would become the eighth team in MLS history to record at least 69 points in a regular season and the third team to accomplish the feat in the last three seasons, joining 2024 Inter Miami CF (74 points) and 2023 FC Cincinnati (69 points). As the club continues its chase for its first MLS Cup presented by Audi title, it'll look to buck a trend, as only two of the teams to have secured at least 69 points in a single regular season have gone on to win MLS Cup in that year – 2017 Toronto FC and 2018 Atlanta United.

The most points by a team in a single season in MLS history:

Son Blazing Scorching Scoring Path for LAFC

Since his arrival in MLS in August, Son Heung-Min has lived up to all expectations for LAFC, scoring eight goals and adding three assists across nine matches for the club, while helping produce a 6-1-2 record over the span. With a standout performance against the Colorado Rapids on Decision Day (9 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Apple TV), Son could etch his name into MLS record books as one of the most dynamic debutants in league history.

With a pair of goals against the Rapids, Son would tie Mamadou Diallo (10 games in 2000) and Carlos Ruiz (10 games in 2002) as the only players in league history to score at least 10 goals in their first 10 MLS games. All eyes will be on the duo of Son and teammate Denis Bouanga (24 goals), as the latter looks to secure his second Golden Boot presented by Audi with a big effort on Decision Day.

The players to reach 10 career goals in the fewest games in MLS history:

Nagbe Set to Make History in Final Regular-Season Match

One of the most accomplished players in the history of Major League Soccer, Columbus Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe will make his final MLS regular-season appearance on Saturday night following the announcement of his retirement on Oct. 7 . A four-time MLS Cup presented by Audi champion and three-time MLS All-Star selection, Nagbe is a veteran of 15 MLS seasons with tenures for the Portland Timbers (2011-17), Atlanta United (2018-19), and the Columbus Crew (2020-present), winning two MLS Cups, Campeones Cup 2021, and Leagues Cup 2024 in the Black and Gold.

With a start against the New York Red Bulls on Decision Day (6 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Nagbe (428 games started) would surpass Dax McCarty (428 games started) for the second-most games started by an outfield player in league history. Only Kyle Beckerman (461 career starts) has started more games as an outfield player in league annals.

The most games started by an outfield player in MLS history:

San Diego FC Looks to Cap Remarkable Road Schedule

As the club’s historic debut regular season comes to a close on Decision Day, San Diego FC can punctuate a sensational first season with a road victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday night (9 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Apple TV). Winning away from home has become a calling card for the expansion side, as San Diego (11 road wins) sits tied with FC Cincinnati (11) for the most road victories in MLS this season.

With a victory over the Timbers, San Diego would become just the second team in MLS history to win at least 12 road matches in a single season, joining the 1998 LA Galaxy, which won 13 road matches en route to capturing the first Supporters’ Shield in club history. A victory would also match 2024 Inter Miami CF (37 points) and the 1998 LA Galaxy (37 points) for the most points secured in road matches in a single season in league history.

The most away points by a club in a single season in league history:

Surridge & Mukhtar Team Up for Scoring History

One of the most prolific offensive duos in MLS, the Nashville SC pairing of Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar have been catalysts in the club’s turnaround season in 2025, as Nashville will return to the postseason for the first time since 2023 following Decision Day. Surridge (23 goals) and Mukhtar (16 goals) have scored 39 of the club’s 56 goals in 2025 and can join an exclusive club with another score on Saturday.

With a goal against Inter Miami CF on Saturday night (6 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Surridge and Mukhtar can become the seventh pair of teammates in league annals to combine for at least 40 goals in a single season, joining the ranks of many of the most prolific scorers in MLS history. The combination of Carlos Vela (34 goals) and Diego Rossi (16 goals) for LAFC in 2019 holds the single season record, which no other pair of teammates have combined for more than 43 goals in a single season.

The most combined goals by a pair of teammates in a single season in MLS history: