The 2026 MLS regular season is just weeks away, folks. While the lads finish up their preseason preparations out at the Coachella Valley Invitational, I’ve found myself with a little bit of time on my hands. I was always told that idle hands were the tools of a guy I didn’t want to meet, so I got to thinking: Why not make some predictions to fill the time?
Like every year since I first joined this club, I’m going to stretch my legs, take full responsibility for my follies (if there are any), and predict the entire MLS standings before anyone even kicks a ball. Brave, you say? Sure, I am. A hero? I don’t know; that feels like brown-nosing to me. Let’s just skip past the enthusiasm and get to the imaginary rankings, okay?
Eastern Conference
We’ll rise in the east and set in the west, just like my favorite cosmic entity, the sun. Now, I’m only an amateur statistician, but I think I’ve found something. If it’s not statistically significant (who has time for a regression model these days?), then it’s at least… a notable vibe? Last season, the gap between the top team in the east (Miami, 66 points) and ninth — the last team to make the postseason — was just 13 points (Orlando, 53 points). For context, the gap between last season’s Premier League champions Liverpool and ninth-place Bournemouth was 28. If you’re looking for parity, Major League Soccer is for you.
The Eastern Conference has become quite the battleground, and with plenty of change coming in the form of new managers and player movement, it’s ripe for another year of hotly contested action. Here’s how I see the east shaking out, from worst to first:
15. New England Revolution: The Revolution have become a shell of the team that set the old single-season points record back in 2021. They’ve lost key pieces, replaced them with guys who just don’t seem to mesh well together, and suffered at the hands of various injuries. If Carles Gil and Leo Campana can find some kind of magic together, there might be a chance, but I’m not seeing it.
14. D.C. United: Whether or not Tai Baribo is capable of recreating his 2025 goal count, he’s a great addition to fill in for the departing Christian Benteke. The bones of this D.C. side need some work, but with a different profile leading the line and another year of chemistry under their belts, this group might change enough to lift their floor, without impacting their ceiling all that much.
13. CF Montréal: 2025 was largely forgettable for Montréal soccer fans. Marco Donadel is set to start a fresh year as the head coach without the interim label, they’ve made efforts to refresh the roster (10 players in, 11 out at time of writing), and they’ve got a blank slate to build on. I can’t help but feel a little optimism regarding Le CFM. A postseason appearance of any kind would make for a successful season in Montréal, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Rinse and repeat, but add a touch of light at the end of the tunnel this time.
12. Atlanta United: I really believed in Atlanta last season. The big spending, the homecoming of Miguel Almíron, and a history of making waves. But my bold prediction that they’d challenge the top of the conference was proven horribly wrong. Now, with Tata Martino back at the helm, I feel that itch to believe again, but I won’t get carried away. They’ll make progress, but only a little.
11. Toronto FC: How do you solve a problem like Toronto? It beats me, guys. I was high on the Italian project, then that didn’t quite go to plan. Then, the acquisition of Djordje Mihailovic provided a spark, with the American scoring four goals and notching four assists in just 10 games to close out 2025. The roster feels like it needs more work, but the vibes were definitely changing at the end of last year. I don’t foresee major steps forward in 2026, but the new project is just beginning.
10. NYCFC: Alonso Martínez is really good at scoring goals. Playing without him for much of 2026 is going to be tough for the Pigeons, and I don’t know how to sugarcoat it. A new star could emerge, a new signing could come in, but until their leading man returns, I don’t know how this side is going to generate enough of a threat to stay above the playoff line.
9. Columbus Crew: The one-two punch of losing one of the best coaches in the league and one of the best passing midfielders in the history of the league would be pretty tough for any club to recover from. The Black and Yellow looked across the Atlantic to find a new manager, picking Henrik Rydström to lead the club into a new era. He had success with Malmö in Sweden, but I struggle to believe that will lead to immediate success in a new league. Give him time, folks. Here’s to a season spent on playoff bubble-watch.
8. Charlotte FC: Pep Biel is staying and Luca de la Torre is in, but this Charlotte side is uninspiring to me. Honestly, from ninth to seventh, I could take any of the teams I listed and rearrange them. Lots of ambiguity here, with talented players capable of catapulting them into the upper echelon or dragging them down to the depths if they don’t show up. I anticipate some more moves in Charlotte, and that would likely make my prediction here null and void.
7. Nashville SC: Nashville is at a crossroads. Club legend Walker Zimmerman is gone now, talisman Hany Mukhtar is another year removed from his league-MVP form, and Jacob Shaffelburg has moved to LAFC. Their identity is shifting, and someone is going to have to step into one of the voids opening up to keep the performance from slipping. I’d love to see some youngsters fill in the gaps, but I suspect that 2026 might be a year of regression for B.J. Callaghan and the boys, despite the addition of Cristian Espinoza.
6. Red Bull New York: Some things are just inevitable, and the Red Bulls returning to the postseason is on that list for me. They added Justin Che and Cade Cowell this offseason, two young, high-potential American players looking for a change of scenery. Maybe I’m just getting swept away by fandom, but I have a good feeling about both guys, and I think they’ve added enough spark to get this team back where they belong: the postseason.
5. Orlando City SC: I like Óscar Pareja as a coach, so I think I’m getting increasingly biased when I predict how Orlando will do. They’ve managed to navigate significant player movement in the past without missing a beat — sometimes even improving while profiting off of player sales. I don’t think this season will be any different, and though Pedro Gallese was among the league’s best shot-stoppers during his time with the club, Maxime Crépeau isn’t a bad replacement at all. The east is shaken right now; it might be the Lions’ time to strike.
4. Philadelphia Union: Both Tai Baribo and Kai Wagner are gone, and with them, 32 goal contributions. This Philly side was never built on individual stars, but having guys who consistently do their jobs makes a huge difference in any team. Bradley Carnell has this club playing a style of soccer that suits their model, relying on a high level of technical quality to cash in on successful pressure. They’ll dip this year, but this still seems like a playoff team to me.
3. Chicago Fire: Gregg Berhalter has Chicago trending in the right direction. While Zinckernagel and Cuypers carried quite the attacking load in 2025, I think another transfer window’s worth of adjustments and training will be enough to see the Fire establish themselves firmly as a postseason presence. Plus, with rumors always swirling about potential superstar signings, this squad has upside potential that a lot of clubs can’t compete with.
2. FC Cincinnati: Since winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2023, FC Cincinnati has remained a force to be reckoned with. They’ve been consistently fighting for the best record in the league, staying in the conversation for trophies of all kinds, and making ambitious player moves to keep things fresh. Pat Noonan has done a tremendous job with this club. Now, with all the praise out there, I have to say, I can feel the cliff coming. Since their 2023 triumph, they haven’t actually lifted another trophy. It feels cruel to say it, but it feels like this project may have run its course, and with exit rumors surrounding some of their star players, they need a big year to keep the train on the tracks. 2026 is a big prove-it year for the Orange and Blue — and I don’t think they will.
Regular-Season Champs - Inter Miami: I’ll preface this with an apology: I’m sorry. Yes, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were generational, and now they’re gone. But Sergio Reguilón is slotting in at left back, Rodrigo De Paul is in Miami permanently, and the Goalkeeper of the Year just arrived in South Beach. That’s not even touching on the addition of Germán Berterame from Monterrey, or that other Argentinian guy they’ve got. Surprise! The defending MLS Cup champions are going to be good — quite possibly even better than they were in 2025.
Western Conference
Just how far is the east from the west? Well, I reckon it’s just a few pixels on your screen, but it’s quite a bit farther on the field. The best in the west seemed to get better this year, while some of the teams near the bottom of the table in 2025 haven’t done a whole lot to help themselves this offseason. Where the east appears to be primed for a tight race, the west feels like it’s about to get a little top-heavy. I’m expecting a core of about six or seven (ha) teams to duke it out for the top spot, leaving the rest of the conference fighting for a chance to lose in the postseason.
15. Sporting KC: Raphaël Wicky’s got his work cut out for him as he tries to guide the club into a new era, and while they’ve made some small adjustments in personnel, they won’t likely move the needle all that much. It’s the beginning of something new; try to enjoy that part of it, SKC fans.
14. LA Galaxy: I’ll keep this short. There’s no replacing Riqui Puig. With him out for another year, the Galaxy will be forced to do one of two things: pivot to a new roster strategy or suffer another underwhelming season of waiting for their star man. João Klauss — while talented in his own way — doesn’t move the needle for me. Jakob Glesnes is a decent signing, though he would’ve been an even better one about five years ago. The Galaxy will be happy to keep their heads above water in 2026, but I don’t think it’s going to be very fun.
13. Colorado Rapids: I don’t know what to tell you, Rapids fans. Whatever the roster looks like on February 22, it’s going to be very different from the last game of 2025. Three of the club’s top five players in minutes played are out (Cole Bassett, Oliver Larraz, Andreas Maxsø), along with role players that were carving out roles of their own. Matt Wells has come in as the new head coach, bringing a resumé that has many parallels to Eric Ramsay, pre-MNUFC. Without significant, urgent investment in the roster, I can’t see anything but a step back for Colorado in 2026, and after finishing 11th in the west last season, a step back is the last thing the Rapids faithful want to see.
12. San Jose Earthquakes: It’s Turbo Timo! The Quakes signed German international Timo Werner from RB Leipzig this offseason, and that’s all they want to focus on, it seems. The pacey forward is one of just three player signings they’ve made, while eleven players have left the club, including Cristian Espinoza, Josef Martínez, and Chicho Arango. That’s all three of their top goal-contributors from 2025, gone. There’s still time to keep building, but without a few more changes, it won’t be an earth-shattering year in San Jose.
11. St. Louis CITY SC: Yes, I have St. Louis moving up in the rankings. No, it’s not because I think they got better; I think the others have just gotten worse. Without their attacking trio wreaking havoc, San Jose’s defense-is-optional approach is simply not going to work this year, and Colorado’s lack of direction makes them a sitting duck. Sometimes, maintaining the status quo is the best way to get ahead.
10. Real Salt Lake: Last year, I said RSL’s season relied on one thing: the performance of Diego Luna. Now, the club needs to either build around the young star or try to move him so they can start building a lasting project. It seems like they’re caught between those two plans right now, and until they pick one, they’re going to continue to fall in my imaginary rankings.
9. FC Dallas: They sent their keeper to Ajax, but Dallas is still just relevant enough to warrant a postseason look. Petar Musa will be the heartbeat of the attack this year, and as he enters the prime of his career, it’s entirely possible that he reaches at least 30 goal contributions this season. They’ll be firmly in the middle of the pack for most of the year.
8. Portland Timbers: Ah, you know the drill. Whether they have a “star” on the roster or not, the Timbers always manage to make life difficult for the rest of the west. I have no reason to believe that they’ll be particularly good this year, nor could I find an excuse to say they’d be really bad.
7. Houston Dynamo: I’m really intrigued by Houston’s rebuild efforts this offseason. They let 19 players leave through various means — transfers, contract expiry, loan deals, etc. — and have brought in nine to replace them. Mateusz Bogusz headlines those incoming names, alongside the return of Hector Herrera. Loons fans will recognize another forward joining La Naranja, as Nick Markanich (twin of Anthony) is spending the season on loan from Spanish club CD Castellón. I feel like I’m ranking them mid-rebuild, and perhaps I’m too positive here, but I’m feeling something big in Space City.
6. Vancouver Whitecaps: Strike when the iron is hot, score when you’re on the front foot, insert whatever saying you use to emphasize urgency. The ‘Caps were one of 2025’s most exciting stories in MLS, getting so close to a perfect season. A Concacaf Champions Cup final, an MLS Cup final, a second-place finish in the Western Conference regular-season standings. Surely, it only gets better from here, right? But here’s the thing: they had no expectations on them before last season. Now, no matter how good they still are, we’re all going to be looking at them like that kid on the tricycle in The Incredibles. Anything short of something amazing will feel like a disappointment, and I’m afraid that’s what's for dinner.
5. Seattle Sounders: Obed Vargas is off to Spain (well-deserved), but the rest of the core is sticking around. At their best, this Seattle side played some exciting soccer in 2025, and as long as Cristian Roldan and Jesus Ferreira are still on the pitch, they’ve got all they need to replicate that style. I expect Brian Schmetzer’s side to maintain their spot among the contenders in the west.
4. Minnesota United: James is a bona fide star, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. He undoubtedly raises the ceiling of this MNUFC side, but I don’t think he really moves the floor. No matter how you slice it, the Loons are entering a transition year. It could end up building on the momentum of 2026, regressing a bit as they prepare to move forward, or something in between. My money’s on the former because we’re getting pre-World Cup James Rodríguez, and the only thing better than that is World Cup James Rodríguez.
3. Austin FC: After proving me wrong in 2025, Austin has seemingly taken another step forward. The additions of Facundo Torres, Jayden Nelson, and Joseph Rosales help to round out this roster in areas of need, making them a much more reliable group with sparks all over the pitch. If they can stay healthy, they can stay near the top of the table.
2. San Diego FC: They’ve only gone and gotten stronger. Sure, there have been rumors around Chucky Lozano, but I can’t write about rumors. The defending Western Conference regular-season champs have added Lewis Morgan alongside several other proven MLS players, adding to a core that was already among the best in the league. It feels like they’ve made enough changes to push this project forward in year two, and after a resoundingly successful first year of existence, that’s saying something.
Regular-Season Champs- LAFC: A full year of Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga means one thing for MLS: danger. This LAFC team hit new heights when their star duo played together at the tail end of 2025, and with a World Cup to motivate the former to hit top form, it’s only going to get better. Add Canadian international Stephen Eustáquio to the midfield, and you’ve got a team ready to fight for trophies.
There you have it: my probably-too-early predictions for the 2026 MLS regular season. Did I let anchoring bias sway me too much? Perhaps. It’s hard to throw out last season’s results, and after a lackluster year of predictions in 2025, I had to rein it in a bit. At the very least, give me some points for how many playoff teams I get right, okay? It’s a tough job, predicting MLS; not for the faint of heart.
