MLS team-by-team analysis: What makes 2026 significant for your team?

It has been over two months since Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami claimed the MLS championship. During this time, league supporters have faced the chill, snow, and gloom of the lengthy winter offseason, now finally witnessing the initial signs of spring’s renewal.

MLS is set to resume play on Saturday, launching a season that will commemorate the league’s 30th anniversary and include a summer break for the FIFA World Cup.

Although the offseason has been brief and dark, significant developments have occurred across all 30 teams. To prepare for the 2026 season, ESPN consulted Jeff Carlisle, Cesar Hernandez, Lizzy Becherano, Jon Arnold, Joe Lowery, and Megan Swanick to provide insights on each team’s activities since their last competitive match.

Atlanta United

What they’ve been up to: With Brad Guzan having retired (and appointed as club ambassador and sporting advisor), Atlanta is evaluating its starting goalkeeper while aiming for improved defense and distribution from a roster that remains one of the league’s most costly (and underperforming). While Guzan’s departure is notable, Tata Martino’s return brings hope for a turnaround. He has made several intriguing additions to the squad, including young signings and a couple of experienced players.

Biggest offseason move: The return of Martino. The 63-year-old Argentine is back in Atlanta, where he previously led the 2017 expansion team to the 2018 MLS Cup title. On the veteran front, Fafà Picault, who has played for six different MLS teams (most recently Inter Miami), was signed as a free agent. Alongside Argentine goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos, 36, he will bring experience to a group of young international signings. Notable additions also include center back Tomás Jacob and left back Elías Baez, both 21 and from Argentina.

2026 will be a success if … they improve on their 29th-place finish in 2025. The encouraging news is that there is (almost) only upward movement for the Five Stripes. With a very low threshold for improvement, qualifying for the playoffs in a competitive Eastern Conference is a feasible but not guaranteed target for success. — Swanick

Austin FC

What they’ve been up to: A lot. Austin invested heavily in its attack last season but managed to score only 37 goals — fewer than any other team in the Western Conference and all but two teams in the league. The club transferred winger Osman Bukari to Poland and released forward Diego Rubio and winger Jader Obrian. There were also discussions about relocating Myrto Uzuni; the Albania international remains on the roster, but there is still potential for new signings like Facundo Torres and Jayden Nelson.

Biggest offseason move: Signing Torres. This is a significant move for Austin, who brought Torres back to MLS after the former Orlando City player spent a season with Palmeiras in Brazil. The Designated Player contract for the Uruguayan international secures his position with the club until 2030, indicating Austin’s strong belief in his ability to collaborate effectively with the team, including fellow DP Brandon Vázquez, who is recovering from an ACL injury sustained last July.

2026 will be a success if … they score significantly more goals. This is straightforward. Austin invested millions in its attack last season but ended up with a team that struggled to find the net. The defense is not entirely secure, but goalkeeper Brad Stuver remains one of the league’s most reliable shot-stoppers. While chance creation is still a concern, if Austin can convert opportunities into goals, their performance will improve. — Arnold

Charlotte FC

What they’ve been up to: Charlotte may not have made the loudest moves this offseason, but the front office has quietly completed several signings to strengthen the roster for 2026. After being eliminated in the first round of the 2025 MLS playoffs on penalties by New York City FC, the Crown aims for more success with the additions of Henry Kessler, Isaac Walker, and David Schnegg, among others, while also activating the permanent option for Pep Biel.

Biggest offseason move: Signing U.S. men’s national team player Luca De la Torre. The midfielder had his first MLS season last year with San Diego, contributing five goals and two assists in 37 matches across all competitions.

2026 will be a success if … Charlotte advances to the later stages of a tournament or a final, considering the quality of players on the roster. Despite qualifying for the playoffs in consecutive seasons, the Carolinians need to push past the first round and build momentum. The team has been eliminated in the first round in 2023, 2024, and 2025. They will participate in the 2026 edition of the Leagues Cup, providing another opportunity to make a deep run and secure a trophy. — Becherano

Chicago Fire

What they’ve been up to: Following the improvements made by former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter in 2025, Chicago’s director of football/head coach has brought in players like Robin Lod, Josh Cohen, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Anton Saletros, while also seeing departures such as Brian Gutiérrez and Kellyn Acosta. Off the field, they have been revealing plans for a new stadium with a capacity of 22,000, expected to open in 2028.

Biggest offseason move: Mbokazi has the potential to be a game-changer in the league, but Lod is a more polished player. The 2024 MLS All-Star is anticipated to be a key contributor from the outset and a focal point in the midfield. While it seems unlikely to happen this winter, keep an eye on rumors regarding Robert Lewandowski.

2026 will be a success if … they build on their playoff qualification from 2025. After reaching Round 1 last year, Berhalter & Co. should aim to be more competitive in the Eastern Conference this season. If they manage to sign a certain Polish striker, they could achieve some surprising results in 2026 and beyond. — Hernandez

FC Cincinnati

What they’ve been up to: Working to achieve greater consistency. This may sound odd given that FCC tied for the second-most points in the league last year, but the 4-0 defeat Cincinnati suffered against Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference semifinals — on home soil, no less — still lingers. Cincy’s xG allowed of 60.53 indicates they did not have as much control over games as they desired.

Biggest offseason move: With Luca Orellano transferred to Monterrey, FCC needed a winger/wingback and acquired Bryan Ramirez from LDU Quito. Aside from that, there was not much activity, although the free agent signing of forward Tom Barlow, who scored three goals in just 383 minutes of play last season, is a low-profile deal that could yield positive results.

2026 will be a success if … Cincinnati can challenge Miami for supremacy. It certainly helps that Cincinnati enters the 2026 season in a healthier state than last year. Defender Matt Miazga is expected to be a more reliable contributor after dealing with a quad injury last season and undergoing a minor knee procedure in preseason. It’s worth noting that FCC conducted significant transfer business last summer, with U22 midfielder Samuel Gidi poised to stabilize the defense.

Cincinnati has a wealth of talent returning, including forward Kévin Denkey (16 goals, 1 assist) and midfield playmaker Evander (18 goals, 16 assists) leading what should be a formidable attack. However, the two were not always in sync, and if they can develop better chemistry, they could elevate FCC’s offensive output. In defense, central defender Miles Robinson remains a crucial player, as does Teenage Hadebe. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano is back in goal.

Can Cincinnati dethrone Miami and achieve a breakthrough? It is possible, considering the typical championship hangovers and Miami’s current state of flux. Given their roster’s condition, the time seems ripe for FCC. — Carlisle

Colorado Rapids

What they’ve been up to: The Rapids may not be the most glamorous team in MLS, but they have refreshed their roster for 2026. The team parted ways with midfielder Cole Bassett, transferring him to Portland, and effectively replaced him with Hamzat Ojediran from Lens. The Rapids also promoted players like forward Sydney Wathuta from their MLS Next Pro team to the senior squad.

Biggest offseason move: The most significant change for the Rapids came with the hiring of new head coach Matt Wells to lead the club. The former Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach takes over from Chris Armas, whose contract expired after the 2025 season.

2026 will be a success if … the Rapids qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs for only the second time in six seasons. While the club must strive to consistently rank among the top nine in the West, it all begins in 2026 under new leadership. The Rapids will not participate in the upcoming Leagues Cup, allowing them to concentrate on the regular season; however, not being involved in cup competitions is not necessarily advantageous, and the club must leverage this opportunity to gain an edge over teams juggling multiple competitions. — Becherano

Columbus Crew

What they’ve been up to: Attempting to move on from the departure of manager Wilfried Nancy. Nancy appeared to have unlocked the formula in MLS, assembling an entertaining team without overspending, but he left for Scottish giants Celtic, where he lasted just eight games and 33 days. Consequently, Columbus hired Henrik Rydström, who led Malmö to a league title in 2023 and a league/cup double in 2024. His reputation is for playing an attractive style similar to Nancy’s, but no two managers are identical, and there are bound to be some differences — and challenges — when the Crew take the field.

Biggest offseason move: The retirement of Darlington Nagbe, a four-time MLS Cup champion, is significant. In his absence, the Crew signed Sekou Bangoura from Israeli club Kiryat Shmona, likely a longer-term project, as well as former Everton, Valencia, and Barcelona midfielder André Gomes. Of potentially greater significance was the acquisition of forward Jamal Thiaré from Atlanta United, a player with considerable potential who failed to capitalize on the promise he showed while scoring eight goals in 2024. He will compete with Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali for playing time.

2026 will be a success if … the Crew can reestablish themselves among the league’s elite. Despite Nancy’s brilliance, it’s important to note that Columbus finished just seventh in the Eastern Conference in 2025 (though injuries played a role), indicating there is room for improvement under Rydström.

The Crew possess a squad with significant talent. Diego Rossi will lead the attack alongside Ali, and U.S. international wingback Max Arfsten and goalkeeper Patrick Schulte both have considerable skill. The biggest uncertainty is what they will receive from Dániel Gazdag, who was expected to be a crucial part of their attack but underperformed with just four goals and four assists after achieving double-digit goals in each of the previous three seasons with Philadelphia. It appears the Crew are at a pivotal moment where they could either ascend or descend in the Eastern Conference standings. — Carlisle

D.C. United

What they’ve been up to: DCU is attempting a complete overhaul. A disappointing 2025 saw them finish with only 26 points — achieving just five victories. The team appointed Erkut Sogut as managing director of soccer operations in September 2025, and the individual, known for being Mesut Özil’s agent, has been working this winter to revamp the team with experienced MLS players at nearly every position — goalkeeper Sean Johnson, defender Sean Nealis, and forward Tai Baribo.

Biggest offseason move: While acquiring Baribo from Philadelphia in a cash-for-player trade signaled intent, signing Romanian forward Louis Munteanu on a club-record deal worth $7 million is a more significant gamble — the first Sogut has made. The 23-year-old has signed with D.C. through 2028-29, with an option year. This could set the stage for Munteanu to lead the line as he approaches his prime.

2026 will be a success if … there is noticeable improvement. No one expects an immediate turnaround for United, but fans will be dissatisfied if this new era begins as the previous one ended. The positive aspect is that, despite questions regarding Sogut’s experience, the rebuild appears to be managed wisely. The MLS veterans on the roster should elevate the baseline significantly, even if the team’s ceiling does not position it in contention for any trophies. — Arnold

FC Dallas

What they’ve been up to: As a significant renovation continues at FCD’s home venue, the team is largely maintaining its current roster, aiming for slight improvements on a squad that managed to reach the playoffs last season, where they were eliminated by eventual Western Conference champions Vancouver. Star forward Petar Musa remains with the team and is looking to secure a spot on Croatia’s FIFA World Cup roster. Creating scoring opportunities for him will be crucial.

Biggest offseason move: Herman Johansson may not be the most high-profile name in this article, but the Swedish wingback is important for two reasons. First, his signing demonstrates Dallas’ commitment to utilizing wingbacks, with Johansson expected to start in that role. Second, it reflects the type of players the club sought this winter after a late acquisition in the 2025 preseason brought Luciano Acosta, a player who never aligned with the team’s vision or tactics.

2026 will be a success if … the final 10 games of 2025 can be replicated. The club seems to be placing significant emphasis on a strong finish to last season, which saw them make a late push into the postseason with five wins, four draws, and just one loss. However, some of those results came against teams that were already in a state of decline and coasting into the offseason. Sustaining that success throughout the entire season will require effort. — Arnold

Houston Dynamo

What they’ve been up to: After missing the playoffs last season, the Dynamo have been working to enhance the team, signing winger Guilherme from Santos and defender Lucas Halter from Botafogo in Brazil. They also welcomed back midfielder Héctor Herrera, who left the club and won consecutive titles as a reserve with Toluca in Liga MX, and signed Mateusz Bogusz to a Designated Player contract.

Biggest offseason move: Acquiring Bogusz from Cruz Azul. While bringing Herrera back is a positive development and adds depth, Bogusz is the type of player who could be a game-changer. He already has MLS experience, and if he can replicate his performance with LAFC in 2024, Houston will make significant strides. The Poland international is just 24, and the Dynamo have him under club control through the 2029-30 season, ideally positioning him as a cornerstone of the club for years to come.

2026 will be a success if … Houston can return to the playoffs. The revamped attack featuring Bogusz, Guilherme, Jack McGlynn, and Ezequiel Ponce, who will again lead the line after his 10-goal season, should yield better results. There are still concerns defensively, as the Dynamo conceded 56 goals. Traditionally strong at home, simply improving on a 5-9-3 record at Shell Energy Stadium would suffice to get them back into the postseason. If that does not occur, a more extensive offseason overhaul may be necessary next year. — Arnold

Inter Miami CF

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