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  "description": "SixOneFive Soccer staff predicts the 2026 season",
  "path": "/major-league-soccer-2026-season-preview/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-19T16:45:10.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.sixonefivesoccer.com",
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  "textContent": "It's finally here! The MLS offseason is over, and all 30 clubs will begin the race to MLS Cup this Saturday, February 21.\n\nAs we do every season, a panel of _SixOneFive Soccer_ staff has made their picks and predictions for the 2026 season, trying the famously foolish exercise of predicting the final table, trophy winners, and the best individual players in MLS.\n\nLet's dive in!\n\n## Sign up for SixOneFive Soccer\n\nGet the best coverage of Nashville SC and MLS straight to your inbox!\n\nSubscribe\n\nEmail sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.\n\nNo spam. Unsubscribe anytime.\n\n## Western Conference table predictions\n\n### 1. Los Angeles FC\n\n**Last year:** 3rd in West | 60 points (17W-9D-8L, +25 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 1.1\n**Highest positioning:** 1 (Ben, Chris, Jeff, Johel, Omari, Ronan, Valair)\n**Lowest positioning:** 2 (Christina)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_With**Dénis Bouanga** and **Son Heung-Min** leading the attack, LAFC should be among the very best attacking sides in MLS. They're undergoing a bit of transition after the departure of head coach **Steve Cherundolo** , but they've mitigated it by promoting assistant coach **Marc Dos Santos** to the role. He knows the club and how to get the best out of them, and this roster is loaded. Anything short of a Western Conference final appearance will be a disappointment._\n\n### 2. Vancouver Whitecaps\n\n**Last year:** 2nd in West | 63 points (18W-9D-7L, +28 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 2.4\n**Highest positioning:** 1 (Christina)\n**Lowest positioning:** 3 (Chris, Omari, Ronan, Valair)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The 'Caps might not be able to recreate their 2025 season, in which they made it to the Concacaf Champions Cup final and MLS Cup, but they still look like an elite side. With a full season of**Thomas Müller** and **Jesper Sørensen** continuing to be one of MLS's elite coaches, Vancouver should be good on the pitch once again. Off the pitch, there are real concerns about their long-term future in Vancouver._\n\n### 3. Seattle Sounders\n\n**Last year:** 5th in West | 55 points (15W-10D-9L, +10 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 3.0\n**Highest positioning:** 2 (Omari, Ronan, Valair)\n**Lowest positioning:** 4 (Chris, Christina, Jeff)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The Sounders are one of the deepest teams on paper in MLS, and they've proven themselves to have a consistently high floor. They added some depth in the offseason and look well-equipped to handle the departure of**Obed Vargas**. With a healthy season from **Jordan Morris** and **Paul Arriola** , they should find themselves towards the top of the Western Conference once again._\n\n### 4. San Diego FC\n\n**Last year:** 1st in West | 63 points (19W-6D-9L, +23 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 4.5\n**Highest positioning:** 2 (Chris)\n**Lowest positioning:** 11 (Johel)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_San Diego were the surprise of 2025. We picked them to finish last; they won the Western Conference and made it to the conference final, playing some of the best soccer in MLS along the way. They picked up right where they left off this season, taking out Pumas in a convincing 4-2 aggregate win in the Concacaf Champions Cup. It might be a stretch for them to repeat as conference champions, but they'll be towards the top of the table again._\n\n### 5. Austin FC\n\n**Last year:** 6th in West | 47 points (13W-8D-13L, -8 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 6.9\n**Highest positioning:** 5 (Chris, Johel)\n**Lowest positioning:** 9 (Ben)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Austin were busy in the transfer window, despite significant cap limitations. They added former Orlando City DP**Facundo Torres** , as well as shrewd pickups of **Joseph Rosales** and **Jayden Nelson**. Their floor in 2025 was fairly high, and they raised the ceiling in the winter. **Owen Wolff** has emerged as one of the best young players in MLS, and continued development from him this season should make them a playoff team at the worst._\n\n### 6. Minnesota United\n\n**Last year:** 4th in West | 58 points (16W-10D-8L, +17 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 7.3\n**Highest positioning:** 4 (Johel)\n**Lowest positioning:** 11 (Jeff)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Minnesota United played anti-soccer last season under**Eric Ramsay**. They had the lowest average possession of any team in MLS, sitting deep and playing an ultra-direct, set-piece focused style. It was successful, sure, getting them to the Western Conference semifinal, but it also lowered their ceiling. With former assistant **Cameron Knowles** taking over, as well as Colombian superstar **James Rodriguez** signed in a shock move, they should at least play with the ball a little more. _\n\n### 7. San Jose Earthquakes\n\n**Last year:** 10th in West | 41 points (11W-8D-15L, -3 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 7.5\n**Highest positioning:** 4 (Omari)\n**Lowest positioning:** 13 (Christina)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The 'Quakes improved significantly last year, barely missing out on the playoffs and taking their goal difference from -37 in 2024 to -3 in 2025. Head coach and CSO**Bruce Arena** has begun to overhaul the squad, building a solid midfield foundation on **Beau Leroux** and **Ronaldo Vieira** , and bringing in **Timo Werner** as one of the more high-profile signings this year. They also saw **Cristian Espinoza** depart in less-than-ideal circumstances, while **Chicho Arango** and **Josef Martínez** are also gone. Those three combined for 31 goals and 21 assists last year. They have a solid base, but it's a big ask to replace that level of production all at once. _\n\n### 8. Portland Timbers\n\n**Last year:** 8th in West | 44 points (11W-11D-12L, -7 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 9.0\n**Highest positioning:** 3 (Ronan)\n**Lowest positioning:** 13 (Chris)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The Timbers made a few big moves in the winter, bringing in**Cole Bassett** from the Rapids for $2.65 million and signing Australian center back **Alex Bonetig**. With winger **Krisoffer Velde** and **David Da Costa** prime Gass Theorem™ candidates, the Timbers should be functional at the very least, and could even be in the mix for a home playoff spot._\n\n### 9. LA Galaxy\n\n**Last year:** 14th in West | 30 points (7W-9D-18L, -30 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 9.1\n**Highest positioning:** 5 (Ben, Ronan)\n**Lowest positioning:** 14 (Valair)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The Galaxy's outlook shifted drastically once news broke that**Riqui Puig** would miss a second consecutive season, undergoing another surgery to repair a torn ACL. They've made some solid moves this winter, adding **Jakob Glesnes** , **Justin Haak** , **Erik Thommy** and **João Klauss**. They should be a much more functional team, even fighting for a playoff spot, but without Puig they're significantly less explosive._\n\n### 10. FC Dallas\n\n**Last year:** 7th in West | 44 points (11W-11D-12L, -3 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 9.5\n**Highest positioning:** 6 (Chris, Jeff, Ronan)\n**Lowest positioning:** 14 (Johel)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Dallas certainly have some upside, mostly in the form of**Petar Musa** , who is one of the two or three best No. 9s in MLS. The quality around him, though, is especially lacking. They play a heavily defensive and pragmatic style under head coach **Eric Quill** , which keeps them competitive but can't quite make up for the lack of a real playmaker._\n\n### 11. Colorado Rapids\n\n**Last year:** 11th in West | 41 points (11W-8D-15L, -12 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 10.6\n**Highest positioning:** 7 (Chris)\n**Lowest positioning:** 15 (Omari)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_37-year-old Tottenham assistant**Matt Wells** is the new head coach, and has the pedigree to raise the Rapids' floor. He'll have his work cut out for him, though. Midfielder **Cole Bassett** went to Portland in the winter, and there's a real lack of ball-progressing quality in midfield. **Paxten Aaronson** is a high-energy, fun player, but it remains to be seen if he can run the entire attack for a full season._\n\n### 12. Houston Dynamo\n\n**Last year:** 12th in West | 37 points (9W-10D-15L, -13 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 11.1\n**Highest positioning:** 6 (Omari)\n**Lowest positioning:** 14 (Christina)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The Dynamo took some big swings in the offseason, bringing in**Mateusz Bogusz** and **Guilherme** as Designated Players, and bringing back **Hector Herrera**. In theory it's great to show some ambition. In practice, though, none of these are sure things, and there are real questions about if Guilherme has the quality to be a regular scorer in MLS, or if Bogusz can be the focal point of the attack._\n\n### 13. St. Louis City SC\n\n**Last year:** 13th in West | 32 points (8W-8D-18L, -14 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 7.4\n**Highest positioning:** 8 (Valair)\n**Lowest positioning:** 14 (Ben, Jeff)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_St. Louis are another team in transition. They've got a new sporting director in**Corey Wray** and head coach in **Yoann Damet** , and added some real talent in **Mamadou Fall** , **Daniel Edelman** and **Dante Polvara**. They don't have a massively high ceiling, but they've raised their floor and should be at least semi-competent. Damet, especially, is a wildcard who could quickly rise the MLS coaching ranks._\n\n### 14. Real Salt Lake\n\n**Last year:** 9th in West | 41 points (12W-5D-17L, -11 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 10.6\n**Highest positioning:** 7 (Johel)\n**Lowest positioning:** 14 (Chris)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Real Salt Lake made some notable improvements to their roster, bringing in DP forward**Morgan Guilavogui** and left back **Juan Manuel Sanabria** , and they certainly have the potential to be significantly better than listed here. But they're a long way away from trophy contention, and don't have a proven MLS match winner to lift them through a tough Western Conference. _\n\n### 15. Sporting Kansas City\n\n**Last year:** 15th in West | 28 points (7W-7D-20L, -24 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 11.9\n**Highest positioning:** 8 (Johel)\n**Lowest positioning:** 15 (everyone else)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_It's going to be a long season for Sporting KC. They hired former NYCFC general manager**David Lee** to right the ship, and he has stripped the roster down to the bare bones in his rebuild. At the time of publication, Sporting have just 21 players signed to their senior roster. They look like a Wooden Spoon favorite. _\n\n\n\nSign up for a new annual membership during our preseason sale and save 25%!\n\n Join today! \n\n* * *\n\n## Eastern Conference table predictions\n\n### 1. Inter Miami CF\n\n**Last year:** 3rd in East | 65 points (19W-8D-7L, +26 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 1.1\n**Highest positioning:** 1 (Everyone except Christina)\n**Lowest positioning:** 2 (Christina)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_I mean, do we really need to explain this? Miami have the deepest roster in MLS history, the best player in the history of the sport, and are the most ambitious club MLS has seen to date. 2026 could be a record-setting season for the Herons._\n\n### 2. Nashville SC\n\n**Last year:** 6th in East | 54 points (16W-6D-12L, +13 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 2.0\n**Highest positioning:** 1 (Christina)\n**Lowest positioning:** 3 (Chris)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Nashville were already trending up after their 2025 campaign, with**Sam Surridge** and **Hany Mukhtar** proving to be one of the deadliest attacking duos in the league. Adding **Cristian Espinoza** into the mix elevates them into true contender status._\n\n### 3. FC Cincinnati\n\n**Last year:** 2nd in East | 65 points (20W-5D-9L, +12 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 4.0\n**Highest positioning:** 2 (Chris)\n**Lowest positioning:** 7 (Ben, Jeff)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Under**Pat Noonan** , Cincinnati have been one of the grittiest teams in MLS, and they have one of the league's truly elite playmakers in **Evander**. They've heavily overperformed their underlying numbers for the last few seasons, though, and have won an abnormal amount of one-goal games. Is that really sustainable?_\n\n### 4. Philadelphia Union\n\n**Last year:** 1st in East | 66 points (20W-6D-8L, +22 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 5.3\n**Highest positioning:** 3 (Jeff)\n**Lowest positioning:** 7 (Chris)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The Union were a shock Supporters' Shield winner last year, returning to their high-pressing roots under**Bradley Carnell**. They added some real talent in the winter, reinforcing their attack and their backline after the departures of **Tai Baribo** and **Jakob Glesnes**. They also lost **Kai Wagner** in the winter, transferring him to English Championship side Birmingham City for $2 million. They should be good once again, but it's hard not to think their floor has dropped a bit._\n\n### 5. New York City FC\n\n**Last year:** 5th in East | 56 points (17W-5D-12L, +6 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 6.8\n**Highest positioning:** 4 (Ronan)\n**Lowest positioning:** 11 (Ben, Jeff)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_NYCFC certainly weren't expected to make the Eastern Conference final last season, but they put together an impressive campaign led by**Alonso Martinez** , who emerged as one of MLS's most dangerous No. 9s. He's out for the year with a torn ACL, though, and they didn't replace him over the winter. In fact, their roster got worse. They could fall down the table quickly._\n\n### 6. Chicago Fire\n\n**Last year:** 8th in East | 53 points (15W-8D-11L, +8 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 6.8\n**Highest positioning:** 3 (Ben, Johel)\n**Lowest positioning:** 12 (Christina)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Under former USMNT head coach**Gregg Berhalter** , the Fire improved rapidly last season. They got better in the winter, adding **Robin Lod** in free agency and signing South African international **Mbekezeli Mbokazi**. If they can figure out how to shore up their defense, their attack has the potential to be elite. _\n\n### 7. Orlando City\n\n**Last year:** 9th in East | 53 points (14W-11D-9L, +12 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 6.9\n**Highest positioning:** 4 (Omari)\n**Lowest positioning:** 11 (Ronan)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Orlando had a ton of turnover this winter, losing players like**Pedro Gallese** , **Cesar Araujo** and **Alex Freeman**. They also made some fascinating moves, like signing Brazil U20 captain **Iago** , or adding midfielder **Braian Ojeda** from Real Salt Lake. Under head coach **Oscar Pareja** , they've consistently been in the playoff mix, but haven't quite lived up to their potential. Does that change in 2026?_\n\n### 8. Charlotte FC\n\n**Last year:** 4th in East | 59 points (19W-2D-13L, +9 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 7.8\n**Highest positioning:** 4 (Chris)\n**Lowest positioning:** 12 (Omari)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Charlotte strung together a solid 2025 campaign, with**Idan Toklomati** breaking out as one of the best young players in the league. With **Pep Biel** back and healthy, and a hopeful second-year improvement from **Wilfried Zaha** , Charlotte should be a playoff team once again._\n\n### 9. Columbus Crew\n\n**Last year:** 7th in East | 54 points (14W-12D-8L, +4 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 8.1\n**Highest positioning:** 4 (Ben)\n**Lowest positioning:** 12 (Chris)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:_Wilfried Nancy_ _is gone. One of MLS's best-ever managers, he left the Crew this winter for a disastrous tenure with Celtic that only lasted a month. In his place, the Crew brought in Henrik Rydstrom_ _, a Danish manager who shares a lot of tactical similarities. Their roster hasn't had a ton of turnover, although they did lose midfielder Darlington Nagbe_ _to retirement. It's a lot of transition for the Crew, and it has as much potential to be spectacular as it does to go south._**\n\n### 10. Atlanta United\n\n**Last year:** 14th in East | 28 points (5W-13D-16L, -25 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 9.8\n**Highest positioning:** 8 (Chris, Johel, Valair)\n**Lowest positioning:** 13 (Omari)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Atlanta can't have another disaster season, can they?**Tata Martino** is back in charge, and he seems like a good bet to figure out how to right the ship. **Miguel Almiron** and **Alexey Miranchuk** haven't proven to be above-average starters, let alone focal points of a contender, and **Emmanuel Latte-Lath** looked like a bust of epic proportions in his first season. Can it really get that much better?_\n\n### 11. Red Bull New York\n\n**Last year:** 10th in East | 43 points (12W-7D-15L, +1 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 10.4\n**Highest positioning:** 7 (Christina, Ronan)\n**Lowest positioning:** 11 (Ben, Jeff)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The Red Bulls should be intriguing in 2026. USMNT legend**Michael Bradley** has taken charge in his first senior head coaching job, and alongside new CSO **Julian de Guzman** , they've made some intriguing signings, like DP **Jorge Ruvalcaba** and former San Jose Earthquake **Cade Cowell**. There are real questions about their defense, though, after losing **Noah Eile** and **Sean Nealis** in the offseason, and their depth on the backline is a concern. Bradley should elevate them, but it's hard to make up for a poor roster._\n\n### 12. Toronto FC\n\n**Last year:** 12th in East | 32 points (6W-14D-14L, -7 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 11.3\n**Highest positioning:** 9 (Jeff)\n**Lowest positioning:** 14 (Christina, Ronan)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Toronto overhauled things in the offseason, bringing in former Nashville captain**Walker Zimmerman** and churning a lot of the bottom end of the roster. They've also been widely reported to be in the market for **Josh Sargent** from Norwich, although that move hasn't materialized yet. They've made early moves of a successful rebuild, but this feels like a team too early in the process to be a real contender._\n\n### 13. New England Revolution\n\n**Last year:** 11th in East | 36 points (9W-49D-16L, -7 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 11.8\n**Highest positioning:** 9 (Ben, Omari)\n**Lowest positioning:** 14 (Valair)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_The Revs brought in US U20 head coach**Marko Mitrovic** after **Caleb Porter** 's disastrous tenure, and they've targeted young Americans in the transfer market like **Brooklyn Raines** and **Griffin Yow**. While the tactical approach should be much better, there is still a distinct lack of high-end talent around **Carles Gil** , and this doesn't look like a playoff-caliber roster._\n\n### 14. DC United\n\n**Last year:** 15th in East | 26 points (5W-11D-18L, -36 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 13.5\n**Highest positioning:** 10 (Christina)\n**Lowest positioning:** 15 (Ben, Jeff)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_DC United were dreadful last season, winning the Wooden Spoon as one of the worst teams ever in MLS. Under new CSO**Erkut Sogut**(seriously, check him out __on Linkedin_ _) they've made some promising moves, as well as some headscratchers. They should be better than they were in 2025, if for no other reason than it's almost impossible to be worse._\n\n### 15. CF Montréal\n\n**Last year:** 13th in East | 28 points (6W-10D-18L, -26 GD)\n**Average predicted positioning:** 14.6\n**Highest positioning:** 13 (Ben)\n**Lowest positioning:** 15 (Chris, Christina, Johel, Omari, Ronan, Valair)\n\n**Ben's breakdown:**_Montréal are more reticent to spend money than any team in MLS, and this window was no exepction. They spend $1.2 million in GAM on defender**Brayan Vera** , but have otherwise grabbed young castoffs from around MLS to try and assemble a patchwork XI that doesn't look like it'll be able to compete for much of anything, let alone a playoff spot._\n\nWe're fans of these independent MLS news sites, and we recommend you check them out, too!\n\nLearn more\n\n* * *\n\n## Team awards\n\n### MLS Cup winner\n\n __Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Inter Miami\n**Chris:** Inter Miami\n**Christina:** Nashville SC\n**Jeff:** LAFC\n**Johel:** Nashville SC\n**Omari:** Nashville SC\n**Ronan:** Inter Miami\n**Valair:** Inter Miami\n\n### Supporters' Shield winner\n\n __Kyle Ross-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** LAFC\n**Chris:** Inter Miami\n**Christina:** Inter Miami\n**Jeff:** Inter Miami\n**Johel:** Inter Miami\n**Omari:** Inter Miami\n**Ronan:** Inter Miami\n**Valair:** LAFC\n\n### **Concacaf Champions Cup Winner**\n\n __Adam Cairns-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Toluca\n**Chris:** Cruz Azul\n**Christina:** Inter Miami\n**Jeff:** Toluca\n**Johel:** Inter Miami\n**Omari:** CF Monterrey\n**Ronan:** Toluca\n**Valair:** Club América\n\n### **Leagues Cup Winner**\n\n __Adam Cairns-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Nashville SC\n**Chris:** LAFC\n**Christina:** Seattle Sounders\n**Jeff:** Nashville SC\n**Johel:** Nashville SC\n**Omari:** LAFC\n**Ronan:** LAFC\n**Valair:** Nashville SC\n\n### **US Open Cup Winner**\n\n __Christina Moore-SixOneFive Soccer__\n\n**Ben:** Chicago Fire\n**Chris:** Red Bull New York\n**Christina:** LAFC\n**Jeff:** Chicago Fire\n**Johel:** Chicago Fire\n**Omari:** Austin FC\n**Ronan:** Columbus Crew\n**Valair:** Chicago Fire\n\n### **Surprise Team of the Year (Positive)**\n\n__Matt Marton-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Chicago Fire\n**Chris:** Colorado Rapids\n**Christina:** Orlando City\n**Jeff:** Chicago in the East, San Jose in the West\n**Johel:** Real Salt Lake\n**Omari:** Houston Dynamo\n**Ronan:** Portland Timbers\n**Valair:** San Jose Earthquakes\n\n### **Surprise Team of the Year (Negative)**\n\n__Katie Stratman-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** FC Cincinnati\n**Chris:** Columbus Crew\n**Christina:** San Diego FC\n**Jeff:** Cincinnati in the East, Minnesota in the West\n**Johel:** San Diego FC\n**Omari:** Charlotte FC\n**Ronan:** Philadelphia Union\n**Valair:** Columbus Crew\n\n* * *\n\n## Individual awards\n\n### **MLS Golden Boot**\n\n __Matt Krohn-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Son Heung-Min\n**Chris:** Lionel Messi\n**Christina:** Son Heung-Min\n**Jeff:** Dénis Bouanga\n**Johel:** Dénis Bouanga\n**Omari:** Lionel Messi\n**Ronan:** Lionel Messi\n**Valair:** Lionel Messi\n\n### **MLS Defender of the Year**\n\n __Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Jeisson Palacios\n**Chris:** Matt Miazga\n**Christina:** Miles Robinson\n**Jeff:** Micael\n**Johel:** Miles Robinson\n**Omari:** Andy Nájar\n**Ronan:** Miles Robinson\n**Valair:** Jackson Ragen\n\n### **MLS Goalkeeper of the Year**\n\n __Matt Blewett-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Dayne St. Clair\n**Chris:** Matt Freese\n**Christina:** Dayne St. Clair\n**Jeff:** Chris Brady\n**Johel:** Dayne St. Clair\n**Omari:** Dayne St. Clair\n**Ronan:** Dayne St. Clair\n**Valair:** Dayne St. Clair\n\n### **MLS Young Player of the Year**\n\n __Steven Bisig-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Ronald Donkor\n**Chris:** Nathan Ordaz\n**Christina:** Osaze De Rosario\n**Jeff:** Mbekezeli Mbokazi\n**Johel:** Ahmed Qasem\n**Omari:** Idan Toklomati\n**Ronan:** David Martínez\n**Valair:** Luca Bombino\n\n### **MLS Newcomer of the Year**\n\n __Katie Stratman-Imagn Images__\n\n**Ben:** Stephen Eustaquio\n**Chris:** Germán Berterame\n**Christina:** James Rodríguez\n**Jeff:** Timo Werner\n**Johel:** Germán Berterame\n**Omari:** Timo Werner\n**Ronan:** Germán Berterame\n**Valair:** Timo Werner\n\n### **MLS Coach of the Year**\n\n __Mike Meredith-SixOneFive Soccer__\n\n**Ben:** Javier Mascherano\n**Chris:** Javier Mascherano\n**Christina:** BJ Callaghan\n**Jeff:** BJ Callaghan\n**Johel:** BJ Callaghan\n**Omari:** BJ Callaghan\n**Ronan:** BJ Callaghan\n**Valair:** BJ Callaghan\n\n###\n\n### **MLS MVP**\n\n __Johel Maza-SixOneFive Soccer__\n\n**Ben:** Lionel Messi\n**Chris:** Lionel Messi\n**Christina:** Son Heung-Min\n**Jeff:** Dénis Bouanga\n**Johel:** Lionel Messi\n**Omari:** Lionel Messi\n**Ronan:** Lionel Messi\n**Valair:** Lionel Messi",
  "title": "Major League Soccer 2026 season preview",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-19T16:45:10.000Z"
}