Feb 19, 2026
3 min read
A new situation means a new opportunity.Our panel has selected some of the burning questions heading into the 2026 MLS campaign
The new MLS season means a clean slate and a variety of opportunities – even as strong teams get stronger and smarts grow.
If MLS followers have gathered one thing over the past 30 seasons, it might be foolish to think that's what it is.Although the final champion Inter Miami was chosen by the famous preseason as the best competition in the competition last year, it is easy to forget that there is a long way to the FIFA Club World Cup where Miami won two of the nine games (2-3-4).
Nevertheless, despite strong starts by fellow CONCACAF Champions Cup contenders San Diego FC and LAFC, Miami is the favorite to repeat and become the first MLS Cup opponent since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12 (something Miami co-owner and former Galaxy star David Beckham is mindful of).Tenorio's Athletic panel of experts is not the club's unanimous choice to win it all - nor is Lionel Messi the pick to win a third straight MVP award.
We answer these and a few other important questions as we head into the MLS season, which will host the 2026 World Cup and still produce some of the MLS surprises en route to its 31st crown.
With all that said, here are our surefire predictions for the final MLS season from February to December:
Who will win the MLS Cup?
Tom Bogart: LAFC
No, not because I'm trying to play against Inter Miami.Miami will be the MLS Cup favorite, but LAFC is there, with Son Heung-min and Denis Buanga leading the way, and a strong midfield and defense behind them.
Henry Bushnell: Inter Miami
yes I think they fly from February to December this year?No. Messi's workload will be managed more carefully than ever.And MLS will be amazing as always.But it would be foolish to choose anyone else.
FELIPE CARDENAS: Nashville SC
In 2025, I pick Nashville to finish last. They are my wooden spoon predictions. Nashville fans were especially unhappy with my assessment of the 2025 team. Nashville wasn't upgraded enough in 2026, so I'm open to a return. However, they did sign free agent star Christian Espinoza. The Argentine may not crack the top five in MLS jersey sales, but he will provide a sourceCreativity is much needed for this blue-collar Nashville brand. Plans begin for a parade through Lower Broadway.
PAUL TENORIO: Inter Miami
I think you should choose Miami.This might be the best and deepest MLS team in history.Messi needs to stay healthy, but they are good in the areas they need (goalkeeper, centre-back, no. 9).
Who will win the supporter's shield?(excellent record)
Yogurt: Inter Miami
The team may not focus on this as a main goal, but they not only have top-level talent led by Messi, but also much more depth than last year.Maybe because of this trophy, Miami is much better on defense.Expectations are always high for a Messi-led team in Miami, but we can definitely look at a new league record.
Bushnell: Vancouver Whitecaps
They could and should have won last year. And they should do better in 2026. They have the right depth and top-tier talent to be a powerhouse in the regular season.
CARDENAS: Inter Miami
Messi & Co. would love to win a treble this season. This is a very good MLS team but I don’t think Miami is quite at that level just yet. And while knockout tournaments can be punishingly unfair, Miami will not have to test fate during the regular season. They’ll run away with the Supporters’ Shield.
I usually like the idea of picking a team outside the Concacaf Champions Cup to win the Scudetto, but I'm not sure that's as true as it has been in the past. This year, I would like to lead a Western Conference team, earn more points, and cooperate with LAFC.
Who will take home the wooden spoon?(worst record)
Bogart: Sporting Kansas City
I expect many more signings to come, but right now the roster is depleted.Especially defensively.Dejan Joveljic will find a way to score even if our staff of athletic writers is his chance creator.The guy just finds the back of the net.But whoever starts scoring for SKC will knock the ball out of the net.
Bushnell: CF Montreal
There are 8-10 real contenders for this "honor," but I'll go with the cheapest club in MLS.
CARDENAS: CF Montréal
I had chosen Montreal in 2025. Today I will have a stronger leg to support this prediction.I won't think too much about this.Montreal, here's your wooden spoon.
WAIWAI: Sporting Kansas City
There's obviously still work to be done on the roster so that may change in the coming weeks and months, but right now I'm looking at MLS and I think the smart bet is Sporting KC.
Who will be the big arrival after the World Cup?
BOGERT: Robert Lewandowski
Chicago’s chase of Lewandowski is very real — and I imagine it’s not the only MLS club interested in him, though it is the most likely. There will be plenty of other names to be linked with MLS clubs in the next few months around and after the World Cup, but let’s start with the known pursuit of Lewandowski.
Of course, Poland needs to make a "big run after the World Cup", but as a trip in the summer to Chicago will do all the thinking in the world for the Polish star - unless Lewandowski, 37, certainly has one or two years left among the elite of Europe.
Cardenas: Antoine Griezmann
International French is the easiest choice here.In fact, both Paul and I predicted that the Atletico Madrid striker would move to MLS last summer.After spending more than a month in the United States.
It will be Robert Lewandowski.If Poland does not qualify and I have to bet on another player... I will say Casemiro.
Which USMNT key players will return home after the World Cup?
I don't think anyone can do that.It would be easy to bring in Weston McKennie, given FC Cincinnati did not pursue him in the summer of 2024 and his contract expires this summer, but it is likely that his future will remain in Europe.
Every member of the true core is still at or near their prime, and well above the MLS level.Many people spend their football careers outside the league and its academies.They do not feel romantic attraction towards home.So you don't have a clear choice, unless you're like Hadji Wright or take a deep breath, Gio Reina is part of the core.
Cardenas: Tyler Adams
It seems inevitable.Adams' injury history is a major setback for the continuation of Europe.He has a young family and if his childhood club Red Bulls did not make the switch, another MLS club would.
Tenor: Tim Wea
The big bet would be on McKennie, but I'm making a smart choice here.I think the Chicago Fire will make a run for Weah next winter.
Which USMNT players will be out of MLS mid-season or next winter?
Bogert: Diego Luna
Luna has attracted interest from Spanish clubs Celta Vigo and Espanyol this winter. But the Real Salt Lake star is likely to make a move to the Atlantic this summer.
BushNELL: Maks Arfsten
In the fall, he told me clearly: "I want to play in Europe."I think he will move in the summer, after the world championship.
CARDENAS: Matte Freeze
The goaltender may be the most important player in the United States, who lives and dies by his play in net.If Freese, the supposed U.S. starter, has a good, big World Cup, he'll have it in Europe.
The best chance for a player to make a move is Arfsten.I think Sebastian Berhalter will get a big new MLS contract that will leave him out of Europe.I also saw Freese looking to see if he had a World Cup peak.
How many goal contributions (goals and assists) will Messi have?
The line should be adjusted based on Carlos Vela's record of 49 in 2019; Messi finished last year with 29 goals and 19 assists (MLS officially counts secondary assists, it should be noted).Will he play enough minutes in a World Cup year to match or surpass that record?
With ridiculous numbers above 90, similar to the previous two seasons.I think he and Miami will be very careful with his minutes, especially between now and the World Cup, and especially after he strained his left hamstring in a preseason friendly.
I thought Messi would slow down a bit last season, but he simply took the league by storm after a poor start to the year.He will prioritize his fitness for Argentina 2026, which should limit his appearances for Miami.But Messi will have no problem scoring goals.And he can actually contribute more assists with the new No.9 to Germán Berterame ready for work.Let's go with 20 goals and 17 assists.
He's averaging 1.6 goals per game, so I'd say he's staying fairly close to that rate and playing in around 25 games this season.That's 40 goals.
What are your expectations for the contribution of Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller's goals in their first full season in MLS?
BOGERT: I have greater expectations for the Son.He and Bouanga are among the top challengers for the Booz Messi gold.Son is also likely to play more minutes than Müller.Son had nine goals and three assists in 10 regular season games (806 minutes) last year.Expecting North 22 goals and 10 assists is unreasonable, while we can book Müller for 18 goals and 12 assists.
Bushnell: Son could beat Messi for Golden Boot.Muller will be part of the rush, in part because Vancouver won't rely on him as much.Let's move on to numbers 39 and 32, respectively.
CÁRDENAS: The standout Korean player for a truly special year in 2026. He got his first taste of MLS last year and seemed to enjoy the competition.He can imitate Messi's goal numbers and will add 20 goals and seven assists this season.Müller will also understand the physical demands of MLS.However, I don't think Vancouver has found it to score goals.His quality is tactical and mental.Score it with 13 goals and nine assists.
TENORIO: I'll go with 36 for Son and 28 for Muller.
Will an MLS team win the Concacafe Champions Trophy, and if so, which one?
Bogert: Inter Miami.It's a tough choice, but the club has the most talent in MLS and its desire to lift that trophy is clear.
Bushnell: No.But LAFC and/or Inter Miami will come close.
CARDENS: The team at Inter Miami, and finally, deep enough to compete internationally.In 2024 they have overcome a very deep team of Monterrey.This current Miami team was built with a regional championship as the primary goal.
TENOR: Yes.I believe Inter Miami's main target this year is the Conca champions and I think Messi and Co will focus their fitness/quality first in this competition so I'm picking them to win the continental title.
MVP MVP: Messi Three-peat or the field?
Bogart: Messi is the favorite, but of course that is not a foregone conclusion. His first MVP was voted on the last day of my voting, with Cucho Hernández in second place. There will be tough competition between Son, Evander, Anders Dreyer and Bouanga. Messi has only a few minutes left. I go to the place, but I'm bored, so I say Son.
BUSHNELL: The field.And from the field, Son would be my choice - or Bouanga, if he stays at LAFC until the end of the season.
Cardenas: Son will win his first MVP award in 2026. He is the only player in this league who can match Messi in terms of goals and attention.
Tenorio: Both my son and Messi will play in the World Cup this summer.That opens up the possibility for someone else to win the MVP.But... I think one of the two will win it.I will pay attention and bet with my son.
