The wait is finally over. After more than two months since Lionel Messi and Inter Miami lifted the MLS Cup, soccer is back this Saturday. And boy, do we have a lot to catch up on.
MLS kicks off its 30th anniversary season with a twist. There'll be a midsummer break for the FIFA World Cup, which means this campaign will look different from anything we've seen before. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
All 30 clubs have been busy during the offseason. Some teams spent big money on new stars. Others went through complete overhauls. A few are just hoping to climb out of the basement. Here's everything you need to know before placing your bets this weekend.
The Big Moves That Could Shake Up Your Bets
Inter Miami didn't sit still after winning it all. They brought in Germán Berterame from Liga MX to replace retired legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The Argentine striker scored 31 goals in 93 Liga MX games, so he knows how to find the net.
The real surprise? Minnesota United signing James Rodríguez. Yeah, THAT James Rodríguez from Colombia. It's a short-term deal until the World Cup, but if he stays fit, the Loons could be dangerous.
LAFC grabbed Son Heung-Min last summer and added Canada's Stephen Eustáquio this winter. With Denis Bouanga already there, their attack looks absolutely stacked. They're heavy favorites to win something in 2026.
Don't sleep on Austin FC either. They signed Facundo Torres from Orlando City on a DP deal through 2030. Last season they only scored 37 goals - fewer than almost everyone in the West. Torres should change that in a hurry.
Teams to Watch (and Maybe Bet On)
Cincinnati finished second in the league last year but got crushed 4-0 by Miami in the playoffs. They lost Luca Orellano but kept their attacking stars Kévin Denkey and Evander. If those two develop better chemistry, FCC could finally knock Miami off the top.
Atlanta brought back Tata Martino, the coach who led them to the 2018 MLS Cup. After finishing 29th last year, they can only go up. That's a pretty safe bet right there.
Vancouver made it to MLS Cup final last year and kept most of their squad together. Thomas Müller is entering his first full season, which could be huge. They're legitimate contenders again.
Seattle managed 55 points last season while dealing with major injuries and playing in the Club World Cup. Jordan Morris only started eight regular season games. If everyone stays healthy, the Sounders could dominate the West.
San Diego shocked everyone in their debut season by topping the Western Conference. They're dropping Chucky Lozano, but Lewis Morgan should fill that gap. The question is whether year one was a fluke or the real deal.
DC United went 5-21-8 last year. Brutal. But they hired Mesut Özil's agent as sporting director and he's bringing in proven MLS players at every position. Things should get better fast in the nation's capital.
The bottom line? MLS in 2026 is wide open. Miami are the defending champs but they're in flux. LAFC look scary good on paper. Cincinnati and Vancouver want revenge. And about a dozen teams think this is finally their year. That's what makes this league so much fun to follow - and bet on.
