The attacking midfielder has opened up about the mental resilience required to break into one of Africa’s most competitive squads following his return from Major League Soccer. The 28-year-old joined the Tshwane side at the beginning of the 2025/26 season on loan from FC Dallas.
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.
D.C. United selected North Carolina State center back Nikola Markovic with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, turning to the Generation adidas defender to address defensive needs after a difficult 2025 season. The 21-year-old helped lead the Wolfpack to their first NCAA national championship appearance.
MLS NEXT Pro announced North Texas SC forward Sam Sarver has been named the 2025 MVP after a breakout campaign that saw the 22-year-old captain rewrite his club’s scoring history and finish near the top of the league’s charts. Sarver’s award caps a season in which he finished as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race and earned a spot on the league’s Best XI.
U.S. international and Vancouver Whitecaps centerback Tristan Blackmon was named Major League Soccer's 2025 Defender of the Year, a reward for an unexpected breakout campaign. Blackmon, 29, spearheaded a defense that allowed just 38 goals in the regular season - second in the league. He is the first player in team history to win the award.
MLS announced that Los Angeles Football Club forward Son Heung-min has won the 2025 Goal of the Year for his free kick against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Aug. 23. The award, decided by fan voting on MLSsoccer.com, capped a season full of spectacular strikes, with Son’s sixth-minute finish standing out for its precision and technique.