The latest MLS weekend served up a familiar mix of rising stars, breakout performances, and growing anxiety around the league's most high-profile club. According to Goal.com's weekly Winners and Losers breakdown, three storylines dominated the conversation after the latest round of fixtures.
Timo Werner Delivers for San Jose Earthquakes
The former Chelsea and RB Leipzig forward, Timo Werner, continued to make his mark on MLS by lifting the San Jose Earthquakes with another impactful showing. Werner's arrival in the Western Conference was met with excitement, and he appears to be justifying that buzz. For a San Jose side that has historically struggled to compete with the top clubs in the West, having a proven European scorer in the attack could be the difference-maker this season. Werner's pace, technical ability, and instinct in front of goal translate well to the American game, and Earthquakes fans have every reason to be encouraged.
Kevin Denkey Doing It Again
Meanwhile, Kevin Denkey is quietly — or not so quietly — cementing himself as one of MLS's most dangerous forwards. The Cincinnati FC striker has been on a tear, and the latest round of matches was no different. Denkey's consistency is the kind of story that deserves a national spotlight, and as the season progresses, it becomes harder to ignore his case as one of the best pure goal-scorers in the league. FC Cincinnati's investment in the Togolese international is paying off in a big way, and rival defenses are taking notice.
Concerns Mount for Messi and Inter Miami
On the flip side, the mood around Inter Miami is growing increasingly tense. Lionel Messi, the greatest player of his generation, has not been immune to the questions swirling around the club's inconsistent form. When a team is built around an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and results are falling short of expectations, concern naturally follows. Whether it's injuries, squad depth, or tactical issues, Inter Miami faces real pressure to get things sorted before the season slips away from them.
For US soccer fans, these storylines matter beyond the box scores. MLS is in a critical era of growth, and the performances of global names like Werner and Messi directly shape how the league is perceived internationally. At the same time, homegrown stars and adopted heroes like Denkey remind fans that MLS has genuine quality beyond the marquee signings.
As the season rolls on, these weekly winners-and-losers snapshots will become increasingly important in shaping the playoff picture. One thing is clear — MLS 2025 is anything but predictable, and that's exactly what makes it worth watching every weekend.