By Favian Renkel and Justin Ruderman
Welcome back to Week No. 7 of Justin and Favian’s Weekly MLS Awards where SBI staff writers Justin Ruderman and Favian Renkel bring you a glimpse at the best of each week in MLS.
This weekend history was both made and remembered in San Jose while Sporting Kansas City began a new era without Peter Vermes.
Here is a look back at Week 7:
Player of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Josef Martínez (San Jose Earthquakes)
In a rematch of the league’s first-ever game, San Jose Earthquakes hosted D.C. United to celebrate MLS’s historic 30th season. Fittingly, league legend Josef Martínez provided the record-breaking fireworks in the 6-1 demolition.
Martínez extended his league record to seven career MLS hat tricks, catapulting himself above fellow MLS icon Bradley Wright-Phillips into sixth on the all-time MLS goalscoring charts on 120 regular-season goals.
Favian Renkel: Chucky Lozano (San Diego FC)
He’s back! Chucky Lozano has returned from the injury that sidelined him for the past few weeks, rejoining a surging San Diego side. SDFC managed to keep the momentum going without the Mexican international, but they are a completely different team with him back in the starting eleven. Lozano recorded a goal, an assist, and a secondary assist against one of the best defenses in MLS this past weekend versus the Seattle Sounders. His goal, the first of his MLS career, served as the nail in the coffin, capping off a dominant first half with San Diego’s third goal of the match.
Young Player of the Week
JR: Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
At the beginning of last season, Diego Luna did an infamous interview in which he made clear his intention to play in Europe sooner rather than later. I’m starting to get the feeling that sooner is accurate.
After an all-star selection last season, Luna has hit the ground running in 2025 with three goals and two assists in six matches thus far, headlined by his game-winning brace in Real Salt Lake’s 2-0 win over LA Galaxy over the weekend.
I have viewed Emeka Eneli as the most important piece of RSL’s success since the beginning of last season, but Luna is certainly the team’s most talented player. He will be integral to the Utahn’s playoff chase this year…if he sticks around that long.
FR: Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo)
Houston Dynamo fans finally have something to cheer about this season. Jack McGlynn’s goal could easily have been my pick for Goal of the Week as the 21-year-old unleashed a rocket from outside the box, beating LAFC’s Hugo Lloris with a stunning strike. This is exactly why the Dynamo brought in McGlynn—to take over matches and become the go-to guy in Houston. It’s happening right in front of our eyes, and MLS fans need to enjoy him while they can before the USMNT international inevitably makes the leap across the pond.
Goal of the Week
JR: Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC)
Lionel Messi scored from long range in South Florida, but Federico Bernardeschi outshone the GOAT with an even better goal in Toronto FC’s 1-1 draw with Inter Miami.
In first-half stoppage time, Bernardeschi received a pass from fellow DP Lorenzo Insigne, pirouetting toward goal before adding ballet-esque footwork, including a wicked Cruyff turn, to avoid Miami defenders and stab his side-foot shot into the back of the net.
The technical skill of the goal was impressive enough, yet the awareness of Bernardeschi in traffic at the top of the six-yard box is most evident of his incredible ability.
FR: Jacen Russell-Rowe (Columbus Crew)
The Columbus Crew have not skipped a beat with losing their best player this offseason Cucho Hernandez, who is making a difference over at Real Betis. Last matchday, it was Diego Rossi, and this matchday, it was Jacen Russell-Rowe. The 22 year old has been on a tear lately with the opportunities left open by Cucho and has been able to score four goals in all competitions. Russell-Rowe is adding all these skills into his bag, and this goal versus Montreal, is no different. Take a look at this beauty.
Team of the Week
JR: San Jose Earthquakes
Led by a hat trick from Josef Martínez, my Player of the Week, the San Jose Earthquakes sent out a warning to the league by battering D.C. United, 6-1, at home.
Still, it was a team performance. Creator Cristian Espinoza provided an assist for each of his strikers, Martínez and Chicho Arango, while adding a goal of his own. Between the sticks, Daniel was still called upon repeatedly, making an incredible nine saves to maintain the rout.
Despite Hernán López’s unfortunate shoulder injury, San Jose’s rebuilt attack is living up to the hype.
FR: Vancouver Whitecaps
Who would have thought that seven matchdays into the season—without Ryan Gauld for most of it, balancing CONCACAF Champions Cup games, and adjusting to a new head coach—the Vancouver Whitecaps would be sitting at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings ahead of MLS powerhouses like the Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, and Inter Miami CF? Certainly not me. Yet week after week, the Whitecaps continue to surprise everyone, including with their latest win against a good Colorado Rapids team.
The main reason Vancouver has been able to maintain this stellar pace without their best player on the pitch is their remarkable scoring depth. So far, they’ve had 10 different goalscorers in MLS play—a feat not seen through seven games since the 2022 MLS Cup-winning LAFC team. Vancouver is thriving off being overlooked, and with a wide-open Western Conference, this might be the season where they pull away at the top if they can stay healthy and maintain their scoring form.
Did I mention that this team is up for sale as well?
Moment of the Week
JR: San Jose vs. D.C.
I know I’ve focused on the Earthquakes a lot this week, but it is hard not to when they win a historic match 6-1!
As mentioned, the match between San Jose and D.C. United was a rematch of the first-ever MLS game between the San Jose Clash and D.C. United on April 6, 1996 at Spartan Stadium. Exactly 29 years later, the renamed Earthquakes hosted D.C. in their relatively new soccer-specific PayPal Park. It was a moment that encapsulated just how far our league has come.
That was shown on the pitch, too.
D.C. United legend Marco Etcheverry, who played in that inaugural match, and U.S. soccer legend Eric Wynalda, who scored the lone game-winning goal in the inaugural match, were both in attendance to watch. On the sideline, the man who took charge of D.C. United in their first-ever game, Bruce Arena was now coaching San Jose in the rematch.
Instead of another dull, scrappy game begging for a single goal like we saw 29 years ago, San Jose put on a show for the loyal fans celebrating the historic 30th year of MLS soccer.
Adding a bit of banter to the memorable occasion, the Earthquakes displayed banners for all 30 MLS teams in their pregame festivities, flipping one of the flags upside down. Of course, that was for bitter rivals LA Galaxy.
FR: My tweet mentioned on MLS Wrap Up
This is a bit of a personal moment of the week, but it was truly awesome to see. Last week, Luis Suárez went on stream with an Argentinian content creator, talking about all aspects of his career. Suárez spoke about Inter Miami and mentioned how every team gives 150% when they play against them. Understanding how big of a quote this was—and how relevant it is to how Miami has been playing this season—I made sure to translate it for the American media, as it was originally said in Spanish. Toronto FC nearly stole all three points from Inter Miami at Chase Stadium, and the quote felt more relevant than ever. Kevin Egan even opened a segment paraphrasing it. I was truly flattered and felt extremely proud that my translation reached the MLS spotlight.
Really liked seeing Luna in that two striker system for RSL.
Would not be surprised if Poch tries a two striker system at the Gold Cup.
Luna has that Dempsey flair and attitude. This US team badly needs that. Dest has it to. Which has been missed the past year.
Before the season began I thought San Diego FC was putting together a pretty good, competitive team, but it has exceeded my expectations. Last week I was reading an article about Man Cty where it mentioned that De Bruyne was going to leave after this Premier League season and he has been linked to San Diego. Boy, that would be a great get, both for the team and the league.