Beasts of the Southeast: May-jor League Performances

Rylee Mckinney
2 days ago
7 min read

By Rylee McKinney - @rylees_roster

Josh Bauer/Nashville SC and Harry Toffolo/Charlotte FC (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

The MLS officially wrapped up Matchday 15 just ahead of the World Cup Break. As the regular season pauses, players (not participating in WC) will have a seven-week break.

With plenty of rest and recovery ahead, this is a perfect time for our May edition of Beasts of the Southeast.

MLS regular-season play will resume on July 16.

Power Rankings

Nashville SC
Inter Miami CF
Charlotte FC
DC United
Orlando City
Atlanta United

Player of the Month

Who else deserves this title other than the G.O.A.T, Lionel Messi? This past month has been one of the best performances in MLS for the Inter Miami forward.

Since the start of May, Messi has recorded 5g/7a in just five games. His current xG sits at 10.44, and his xG on target (xGOT) is a lethal 12.51.

Nashville SC

Record all-comps since April:

Regular season: 3W-0L-2D
Concacaf Champions Cup: Eliminated in the Semi-final against Tigres UANL

Current place in MLS Supporters’ Shield: 1st place

After a dominant month in April, Nashville kept the ball rolling in May. Despite their 1-0 loss to Tigres UANL in the second leg of the semifinal of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Yet one man's loss is another man's gain, as demonstrated by their May results.

Injuries to their starting lineup continue, with Eddi Tagseth, Andy Najar, and Patrick Yazbek on their latest health report. In better news, forward Sam Surridge was marked questionable for their game against NYCFC last Saturday. He came on in the 71st minute and appeared to be easing back into play.

The WC break will be an asset to Nashville, allowing some of their bigger names to fully recover ahead of the second half of the MLS regular season.

If anything, the recent string of injuries to Nashville’s starters has proven the strength in their depth.

The boys in gold concluded their May run with a 2-1 win over NYCFC, with both goals uniquely scored by their centerbacks (Palacios and Woledzi).

Depth Chart

July/August schedule

Wednesday, July 22nd, 8:30 PM ET - vs Montreal
Saturday, July 25th, 7:30 PM ET - at Orlando City
Saturday, August 1st, 7:30 PM ET - at DC United
Wednesday, August 5th, 8:30 PM ET - vs Leon (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Sunday, August 9th, 8:00 PM ET - vs San Luis (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Wednesday, August 12th, 8:00 PM ET - at Monterrey (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Saturday, August 15th, 8:30 PM ET - vs Inter Miami
Wednesday, August 19th, 7:30 PM ET - at NY Red Bulls
Saturday, August 22nd, 8:30 PM ET - vs Columbus Crew
Saturday, August 29th, 8:30 PM ET - vs FC Cincinnati

Inter Miami CF

Record all-comps since April:

Regular season: 4W-1L-0D

Current place in MLS Supporters’ Shield: 4th place

May was a historic month for Inter Miami CF, as they secured their first home win at their new stadium against Portland.

Their four wins in April secured them 12 points, shooting them back up to 4th place in the MLS Supporters’ Shield Race.

Under the new interim head coach, Guillermo Hoyos, the Herons are clearly unfazed by Mascherano's departure and the transition period.

Wrapping up the first half of their season against Philadelphia last Sunday, Miami turned on the theatrics. Philadelphia took an early 2-0 lead, and the match was plagued with penalties and fast-paced transitions.

Miami had a total of 15 shots to Philadelphia’s 18, showcasing how even the worst Eastern Conference team brings tension to Nu Stadium.

Unfortunately, this high-intensity game led Lionel Messi to request a substitution late in the second half. Inter Miami CF’s Communications Department released a statement on Monday: “After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.”

They added that the timeline for his recovery is not definite and depends on clinical and functional progress. Messi’s injury is unfortunate as his World Cup expedition with Argentina is about to begin, although he traveled to the national team without any reported incident of major concern.

Depth Chart

July/August schedule

Saturday, July 25th, 7:30 PM ET - at Montreal
Saturday, August 1st, 7:30 PM ET - vs Columbus Crew
Wednesday, August 5th, 7:30 PM ET - vs San Luis (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Saturday, August 8th, 8:00 PM ET - vs Monterrey (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Wednesday, August 12th, 7:30 PM ET - vs Leon (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Saturday, August 15th, 8:30 PM ET - at Nashville SC
Wednesday, August 19th, 7:30 PM ET - at Philadelphia Union
Saturday, August 22nd, 7:30 PM ET - vs Toronto FC
Saturday, August 29th, 7:30 PM ET - vs Montreal

Charlotte FC

Record all-comps since April:

Regular-Season: 2W-2L-1D

Current place in MLS Supporters’ Shield: 14th Place

The first half of the MLS regular season has not been especially kind to Charlotte FC. Heavy rotations and injuries have shifted starting line-ups, forcing Dean Smith to bring up several Crown Legacy players to the first team.

Despite their stretch of home games this May, Charlotte struggled to secure wins. This month alone, Charlotte FC scored a total of six goals and logged eight assists, resulting in 14 goal contributions.

The biggest headline in the Queen City remains the recent departure of DP Wilfried Zaha. Last Sunday, Zaha announced his departure from Charlotte on Instagram, citing the expiration of his contract.

Additionally, rumors continue to circulate that several UEFA Champions League teams are interested in winger Liel Abada. Reports suggest that teams such as Birmingham City and Norwich City are keeping an eye on the Israeli.

If Abada were to depart, Charlotte would have two open DP spots, a unique opportunity for Zoran to make significant moves.

Depth Chart

July/August Schedule

Saturday, July 25th, 6:30 PM ET - at NY Red Bulls
Saturday, August 1st, 8:30 PM ET - at Chicago Fire FC
Tuesday, August 4th, 8:00 PM ET - vs Pumas UNAM (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Friday, August 7th, 7:30 PM ET - vs Atlas (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Tuesday, August 11th, 7:30 PM ET - vs Pachuca (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Saturday, August 15th, 7:30 PM ET - vs Columbus Crew
Wednesday, August 19th, 7:30 PM ET - at Toronto FC
Saturday, August 22nd, 7:30 PM ET - vs DC United
Saturday, August 29th, 7:30 PM ET - at Atlanta United

DC United

Record all-comps since April:

Regular season: 1W-1L-3D

Current place in MLS Supporters’ Shield: 18th place

DC has had a more neutral month of play in May. With three draws and only one win, DC slowed slightly from last month.

However, their fans do not seem to care much about the numbers and the standings. Last Saturday, Audi Field announced it had sold out for DC’s match against Montreal.

The Black and Red had players named to the MLS Team of the Matchday twice in May. First, striker Louis Munteanu made the Team of the Matchday for Matchday 11 after his brace against NYCFC on the road.

Winger Joao Peglow later earned a spot on the bench for the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 14 after his late equalizing goal against St. Louis.

DC enters the WC break with a few injuries, such as Sean Nealis and Gabe Segal.

Depth Chart

July/August schedule

Wednesday, July 22nd, 8:30 PM ET - at Houston Dynamo
Saturday, July 25th, 7:30 PM ET - vs Toronto FC
Saturday, August 1st, 7:30 PM ET - vs Nashville SC
Saturday, August 15th, 7:30 PM ET - at Montreal
Wednesday, August 19th, 7:30 PM ET - vs New England Revolution
Saturday, August 22nd, 7:30 PM ET - at Charlotte FC
Saturday, August 29th, 7:30 PM ET - vs LAFC

Orlando City

Record all-comps since April :

Regular-Season: 2W-2L-1D
Win in US Open Cup Quarter-final

Current place in MLS Supporters’ Shield: 25th place

Compared to last month’s performance, Orlando seems to be improving ever so slightly.

Jumping up one place in the MLS Supporters’ Shield race, Orlando might just be able to turn their luck around in the second half of the season.

Most importantly, World Cup-winning forward Antoine Griezmann will be joining Orlando after the World Cup Break in July. Under a two-year contract, the Frenchman will take one of their Designated Player spots.

Without looking too much to the future, Orlando has had some smaller wins in May. Their 4-3 win over in-state rivals Inter Miami early in the month was refreshing for The Lions.

Additionally, forward Martin Ojeda made the bench list for the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 13 against the Philadelphia Union.

Post-World Cup break, MLS fans can expect Orlando to undergo some restructuring, especially with the addition of Griezmann to the roster.

Depth Chart

July/August schedule

Saturday, July 25th, 7:30 PM ET - vs Nashville SC
Saturday, August 1st, 7:30 PM ET - at NY Red Bulls
Wednesday, August 5th, 7:30 PM ET - at Monterrey (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Saturday, August 8th, 6:30 PM ET - vs Leon (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Wednesday, August 12th, 7:30 PM ET - vs San Luis (Leagues Cup Group Stage)
Saturday, August 15th, 7:30 PM ET - vs FC Cincinnati
Wednesday, August 19th, 7:30 PM ET - vs Chicago Fire FC
Saturday, August 22nd, 7:30 PM ET - vs Real Salt Lake
Saturday, August 29th, 8:30 PM ET - at Minnesota United

Atlanta United

Record all-comps since April:

Regular-Season: 1W-2L-1D
Eliminated in the US Open Cup Quarter-final

Current place in MLS Supporters’ Shield: 28th place

Atlanta United appears to be neither better nor worse than last month. Their unfortunate 4-1 loss to Orlando City sent them home packing from US Open Cup play.

Upon returning to regular-season play, Atlanta struggled to close out the first half of the season on a positive note, falling 2-0 to Columbus on Matchday 15.

Injuries also plague Atlanta’s roster, such as Matias Galarza, Fafa Picault, and Steven Alzate. Emmanuel Latte Lath was also reported to be questionable for Matchday 15 due to illness and did not make an appearance.

However, Miguel Almiron took to the pitch in the 59th minute, coming back from a knee injury suffered during Atlanta’s US Open Cup match against Chattanooga back in April.

The World Cup break will be essential to Atlanta’s performance in the second half of the season. Come July, Atlanta should be able to bring back some key players in full health.

Depth Chart