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.
DC United and Philadelphia Union ignite their rivalry at Audi Field for the 2026 MLS season opener! Ready to catch every goal? We’ve got you covered with the start time, TV channel, and how to live stream the match.
If you're wondering about the main dates for the upcoming Major League Soccer season, GOAL has you covered - plus more info on how to watch games on TV
GOAL spoke to GMs and chief soccer officers across MLS about the league’s 3.0 vision: the calendar change is progress, but executives say the next steps must come faster.
MLS returns with a packed schedule and familiar chaos. From stars like Messi, Rodriguez, and Son Heung-Min to the teams you can avoid, here’s who’s actually worth your weekend watch.
Baribo enjoyed two successful years in Philadelphia, but insists he is ready to be the focal point of a club - something D.C. guaranteed the prolific striker
D.C. United are nearing a club-record signing as the MLS side finalizes a deal worth around $7 million plus add-ons to acquire Romanian international forward Louis Munteanu from CFR Cluj, according to The Athletic. The move could reach $10 million and would mark a cornerstone addition as the club undergoes a major roster overhaul ahead of the new season.
DC United
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