Lionel Messi and Co. remain favorites, but strong starts from Nashville, San Jose and Vancouver have the league nicely poised heading into a long break.
The presence of Lionel Messi offers Inter Miami plenty of advantages, with team-mate Dayne St. Clair pointing out that one of those is often having “more supporters than the home team” when heading out on the road. The Herons are taking in five successive away games at the start of their 2026 MLS campaign, but intimidating atmospheres are in short supply.
GOAL’s writers analyze LAFC’s battering of Inter Miami, the New York Red Bulls’ fast start, and whether Nashville is the contender everyone forgot in the latest Rondo.
MLS’s opening weekend delivered surprise results and standout performances - but also plenty of drama and controversy, even from its biggest star, Lionel Messi.
Tishreen
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