Of course Lionel Messi is the main image, particularly after Inter Miami put on a masterclass of comeback soccer last Sunday against Orlando City. True, his direct free kick should’ve been stopped by the keeper, but his earlier goal was a gem. MLS is better off having a happy Messi, instead of the cranky one who tries to barge into referee dressing rooms.
That said, the league doesn’t revolve around the diminutive Argentinian, and here are five other players worth keeping an eye on in Matchweek 3.
Julian Hall – Red Bull New York
A product of the Red Bull academy, Hall has exactly 177 first team minutes under his belt. In that time the 17 year-old has scored all three of NYRB’s goals, and his 3.18 xG is the highest in the league.
With a contract expiring at the end of this year, he’s one of the most exciting transfer prospects in the league.
João Klauss – LA Galaxy
The Galaxy is Klauss’ tenth team in as many years since he turned pro with Brazil’s Grêmio.
Finding the net less than two minutes into his LA debut could not have been a better beginning for the balding yet vigorous striker. Then he went and added two more three minutes apart in their 3-0 demolition of Charlotte FC. He’s scored on 75% of his shots so far. Galaxy plays their first road game Saturday in the altitude of Colorado; we’ll see if Klauss can continue his explosive start.
Milan Iloski – Philadelphia Union
They may be 0-2, but that’s no fault of forward Milan Iloski. He’s registered the third most shots in MLS (9), one-third of which have been blocked.
I’m not sure Union will be able to defeat the high-flying San Jose Earthquakes, but expect Iloski to shoot often and possibly be the first to stab through the Quakes’ defense.
Anders Dreyer – San Diego FC
Straight off his outstanding 2025 season with 40 contributions (23g/17a), Dreyer hasn’t wasted time.
He already has a goal and three assists, which means in his 42 MLS games he averages MORE than one contribution per match. Crazy. With SDFC traveling to the hapless Sporting Kansas City (who’ve already conceded five times), expect the Danish midfielder to further pad those numbers.
Preston Judd & Jamar Ricketts – San Jose Earthquakes
Very few people, myself included, expected much from San Jose. The club parted ways with their top three goal scorers and did little to fill those holes outside of signing German international Timo Werner. But while fans’ eyes have been bedazzled by the star signing, it’s these two journeymen who’ve stepped up. Both players entered the league the old-fashioned way, via the SuperDraft. Judd (26) was selected by LA Galaxy in 2021 and Ricketts (24) by the Quakes in 2024. Philadelphia on the road will be a tougher challenge, but if these two are the real deal expect to see them on the scoresheet again.
