MLS: Olwethu Makhanya and Philadelphia clinch Supporters’ Shield; Zaha and Denkey score match winners

The Major League Soccer (MLS) season is approaching the playoffs and on Saturday it was Olwethu Makhanya, Wilfried Zaha and Kévin Denkey who continued strong campaigns.

PHILADELPHIA UNION 2025 SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD WINNERS⚡️🛡️🐍​#DOOP pic.twitter.com/ApWgmjBIDm

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) October 5, 2025

Olwethu Makhanya: A regular in MLS’ best defense

The Philadelphia Union and talented South African center back Olwethu Makhanya confirmed their place as the top team of the regular season with a 1-0 victory over New York City FC. Makhanya played the full ninety minutes on his 28th appearance of the season for the best defense in the league.

The Union clinched the Supporters’ Shield, a prestigious award given to the team that has the most points in the regular season. Philadelphia have one match left before they prepare for the MLS Cup Playoffs, where Makhanya and his teammates will attempt to take their momentum forward to secure MLS.

NO WAY @KevinDenkey9 😱 pic.twitter.com/vglqE2aE3U

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) October 4, 2025

Kévin Denkey adds to goal total with Goal of the Week candidate

FC Cincinnati officially clinched their place in the playoffs with a 1-0 victory and it was Togolese striker Kévin Denkey scored a spectacular strike from distance. Denkey has provided two goals and an assist in Cincinnati’s four games since the September FIFA window, a stretch where the club have been unbeaten with three victories.

Denkey now has 15 goals in 29 matches on his debut season in MLS since joining for a big money transfer from Cercle Brugge in Belgium. The winner of Belgium’s Ebony Shoe in 2024 has shown his goal scoring quality and is back to top form for a crucial stretch as Cincinnati pursues playoff success that has eluded them in previous seasons.

A rejuvenated Wilfried Zaha helps Charlotte FC clinch place in playoffs

MADE ‘EM PAY 😤 pic.twitter.com/wz3556Wk7m

— x – Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) October 4, 2025

Charlotte FC also clinched qualification for the playoffs, currently sitting in fourth place on Eastern Conference table thanks to Wilfried Zaha’s first half strike in a 1-0 result at hapless DC United. Zaha fired in his ninth goal of the season after hosts DC United had two players sent off in the opening half hour.

After an inconsistent start to the season, the high-priced loanee from Galatasaray has recovered to have a strong campaign with 9 goals and 11 assists in 30 MLS matches:

“I’m happy I’m adjusting to the league,” said Zaha in comments to MLS Season Pass a month ago. “It took a bit of time…but I know what I can do and it is showing on the pitch…I know that we’ve got more in the team.”

With Zaha showing his quality and rejuvenating his career after an awful start to the 2024-25 season on loan with Olympique Lyonnais, it will be interesting to see if Charlotte purchase him on a permanent transfer. Stating his love of life in Charlotte during his strong form, it appears that Zaha will be open to the move considering Galatasaray have moved on with their squad building with several big-money transfers.