CVI 4TH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT

The fourth edition of the Coachella Valley Invitational brought a high-energy start to the MLS preseason in Indio, California. Held under sunny desert skies, the showcase included elite Major League Soccer clubs like Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes, reigning champions LA Galaxy, Minnesota United, Real Salt Lake, Portland Timbers, New York Red Bulls, NYCFC, St. Louis City, and expansion side San Diego FC. Over a series of 90-minute contests, each team demonstrated early-season form and introduced new acquisitions, including Portland’s headline-making transfer David Da Costa from RC Lens. Other new pairings, such as San Jose’s forward duo Chicho Arango and former league MVP Josef Martinez, also made their preseason debut. With kickoff to the 2025-26 MLS season fast approaching, the tournament served as a thrilling preview of what fans can expect from the league’s top-tier talent.

The action began promptly at 10 AM with Chicago Fire taking on Bruce Arena’s revamped San Jose Earthquakes. Under newly appointed head coach Gregg Berhalter, Chicago struck quickly, earning a penalty just minutes in. Jonathan Bamba, one of the Fire’s designated players, slotted it home in the 7th minute. The match quickly turned into a showcase for Chicago, who cruised to a 5-1 victory. Zinckernagel stood out with a stellar outing, tallying an assist and drawing two penalties. While San Jose's dynamic new attacking pair showed promise—Arango finding the net early in the second half—the Earthquakes struggled defensively and couldn’t match Chicago’s tempo. Despite the heavy defeat, the Earthquakes have the talent to bounce back and find form as the season unfolds.

Later in the day, LA Galaxy met Minnesota United in a hotly anticipated matchup. With fans turning out in full force to support the defending champions, Galaxy opted to gradually integrate their regular starters, using the second half to assert dominance. Tucker Lepley stole the spotlight, bagging a brace and leading the Galaxy to a 2-1 win. His composed finishing and off-the-ball movement earned him man-of-the-match honors and positioned him as a breakout star for the season. Minnesota held their own throughout and generated solid opportunities but fell short in the final third. Even so, both squads looked sharp and ready for the season ahead, with Galaxy proving that—even after the departure of Dejan Joveljić—they remain serious contenders.

One of the most entertaining matchups of the tournament came when New York Red Bulls clashed with Real Salt Lake in a dramatic 3-3 draw. Despite falling behind 0-1 early, the Red Bulls surged ahead, scoring three unanswered goals—one of them a penalty converted by European signing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. But Real Salt Lake showed resilience, clawing their way back into the game with goals from rising star Julian Hall and standout striker Forster Ajago, who recorded a brace. RSL’s multicultural squad, made up of players representing ten different nationalities, displayed excellent chemistry and mental toughness in their comeback effort.

The debut of San Diego FC drew significant attention, not just because it marked the first appearance of MLS’s newest club, but also due to the presence of international star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. The match against Portland Timbers had the electric atmosphere of a Mexican national team fixture, with fans rallying to support Chucky’s arrival. Although Lozano didn’t start, San Diego impressed early with smooth passing and composure. Portland, however, leaned on their experience and cohesion to take control, sealing a convincing 3-0 win. This marked a new era for the Timbers following the departure of key playmaker Evander. Though sidelined, new signee David Da Costa was seen cheering on his teammates, signaling his investment in the squad. Despite the scoreline, San Diego showed plenty of upside—especially when Lozano finally stepped onto the pitch in the closing minutes. He made an instant impact, flying down the wing and nearly scoring with a shot that rattled the crossbar. A late-game scuffle underscored the club’s competitive spirit and solidarity.

The day concluded with St. Louis City facing off against New York City FC. St. Louis came out on top with a 2-0 win, thanks to a dominant performance from forward Simon Becher, who netted both goals. Becher looked sharp and ready to become a focal point for the club’s attack this season. NYCFC, meanwhile, highlighted its commitment to youth, with promising performances from midfield prospect Collin McCamy and defender Max Murray. While the score didn’t fall in their favor, the club’s developmental approach suggests long-term growth—especially with a marquee season opener against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami FC on the horizon.

Unlike many top leagues around the globe, MLS teams often struggle to find consistent preseason opposition. The Coachella Valley Invitational fills that gap with meaningful, high-level preparation and a fan-friendly experience. Players and coaches alike took time to connect with supporters, signing autographs and taking photos, adding a personal touch to the weekend’s excitement. With the new season set to begin in just a few days, anticipation is at an all-time high. Major thanks to AEG and all the participating clubs for putting on a memorable showcase. Be sure to catch all the MLS action this season—stream every game on Apple TV as the league continues to grow its global presence. Watch a Video Recap of the CVI Weekend Below:

Written By: Joseph Hernandez Torrejon

Photos Taken by: Jonathan Ortega (@Midtabletalk) Video Recap Shot and Edited by: Joseph Hernandez Torrejon