MLS 2026 season predictions: Experts pick MLS Cup winner, MVP, more ~ COSMO NEWS

Withthe 2026 Major League Soccer seasonkicking off this weekend, we surveyed USA TODAY Network's team of soccer experts for their predictions on how the new season will shake out.

CanLionel MessileadInter Miamito consecutive league championships, thus becoming the first repeatMLS Cup winnersince theLos Angeles Galaxydid it in 2011-12? Which teams are the top contenders to displace Miami's station atop the league? Who will win league MVP honors? Which player will score the most goals and claim the Golden Boot?

MLS 2026:10 storylines to follow

Here's how we seethe 2026 MLS seasonunfolding:

Nov. 23, 2025: Philadelphia Union fans display a tifo before the playoff game against New York City FC at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. NYCFC won the Eastern Conference semifinal game, 1-0.

Nov. 23, 2025: FC Cincinnati fans unveil a tifo before the Eastern Conference semifinal playoff game against Inter Miami at TQL Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-0.

Nov. 2, 2025: A tifo is displayed before a Round 1 playoff game between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. The Columbus Crew won the game, 4-0. to even up the best-of-three series.

Nov. 1, 2025: Fans raise a rifo before the Round 1 playoff game between San Diego FC and the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The Portland Timbers won the game in a penalty shootout to force a winner-take-all Game 3 against San Diego.

Oct. 27, 2025: FC Cincinnati fans display a tifo before the Round 1 playoff game against the Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati won the game, 1-0.

Oct. 26, 2025: Vancouver Whitecaps fans display a tifo prior to the Round 1 playoff game against FC Dallas at BC Place. Vancouver won the game, 3-0.

Oct. 18, 2025: Fans hold up a tifo before a game between the Portland Timbers and San Diego FC at Providence Park. San Diego FC won the game, 4-0.

Oct. 4, 2025: Philadelphia Union fans reveal a tifo before the game against New York City FC at Subaru Park. The Union won the game, 1-0, and clinched the second Supporters' Shield in club history.

Sept. 27, 2025: New York Red Bulls supports display a tifo before the match against New York City FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium. NYCFC won the game, 3-2.

Sept. 24, 2025: New York City fans hang a tifo banner before the match against Inter Miami at Citi Field. Inter Miami won the game, 4-0.

Sept. 21, 2025: The 3252 supporter's group unveils a tifo honoring Los Angeles FC legend Carlos Vela - the 2019 MLS MVP - during the game against Real Salt Lake at BMO Stadium. LAFC won the game, 4-1.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Aug. 10, 2025: A tifo commemorating the 10-year anniversary of FC Cincinnati is unfurled in the Bailey fan section before the game between Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Charlotte FC won the game, 1-0.

Aug. 10, 2025: A tifo commemorating the 10-year anniversary of FC Cincinnati is unfurled in the Bailey fan section before the game between Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Charlotte FC won the game, 1-0.

Aug. 9, 2025: Fans raise a tifo before a game between the Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC at Subaru Park. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

July 19, 2025: The largest tifo in MLS history on display before a game between the Portland Timbers and Minnesota United at Providence Park. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

July 19, 2025: San Diego FC supporters raise three tifos before the match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Snapdragon Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

July 12, 2025: A tifo is shown before the match between the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. The Columbus Crew won the game, 4-2.

July 5, 2025: A tIfo goes up during the game between Charlotte FC and Orlando City at Bank of America Stadium. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

July 4, 2025: LA Galaxy fans put up a tifo stating

June 28, 2025: New England Revolution fans raise a Pride themed tifo before a game against against the Colorado Rapids at Gillette Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.

June 14, 2025: A tifo is seen prior to the match between St. Louis City SC and the LA Galaxy at Energizer Park. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.

May 17, 2025: Portland Timbers fans bring down a tifo before the rivalry game against the Seattle Sounders at Providence Park. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

May 17, 2025: Minnesota United fans display a tifo to support people with autism before the game against St. Louis City SC at Allianz Field. Minnesota United won the game, 3-0.

May 17, 2025: Columbus Crew fans display a tifo before the

May 17, 2025: New York City FC supporters display a tifo before the rivalry match against the New York Red Bulls at Citi Field. NYCFC won the game, 2-0.

May 14, 2025: A tifo is seen prior to a match between St. Louis City SC and Sporting Kansas City at Energizer Park. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

March 1, 2025: A tifo is displayed by New York Red Bulls fans before the match against Nashville SC at Sports Illustrated Stadium. RBNY won the game, 2-0.

March 1, 2025: Real Salt Lake supporters display a tifo before the game against the Seattle Sounders at America First Field. RSL won the game, 2-0.

Feb. 23, 2025: Supporters raise a tifo celebrating the LA Galaxy's 2024 MLS Cup win before the match against San Diego FC at Dignity Health Sports Park. San Diego FC won the game, 2-0.

Feb. 22, 2025: View of the tifo before the match between Austin FC and Sporting Kansas City at Q2 Stadium. Austin FC won the game, 1-0.

Feb. 22, 2025: A tifo is unfurled before the game between the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire FC at Lower.com Field. Columbus won the game, 4-2.

Feb. 22, 2025: The 3252 supporters' section reveals a tifo honoring Los Angeles area firefighters before LAFC's game against Minnesota United at BMO Stadium. LAFC won the game, 1-0.

Oct. 19, 2024: Los Angeles FC fans hold up a tifo before the game against the San Jose Earthquake at BMO Stadium. LAFC won the game, 3-1.

Oct. 19, 2024: Seattle Sounders FC fans display a tifo before the match against the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Oct. 12, 2024: Columbus Crew fans display tifo before a game against the New England Revolution at Lower.com Field. The Crew won the game, 4-0.

Oct. 6, 2024: A Portland Timbers tifo is seen in the stands prior to a match against FC Dallas at Providence Park. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Sept. 28, 2024: A tifo is raised before the game between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. NYCFC won the game, 5-1.

Sept. 21, 2024: Columbus Crew fans lift a tifo before the game against Orlando City SC at Lower.com Field. The Columbus Crew won the game, 4-3.

Sept. 14, 2024: A tifo is raised prior to the match between St. Louis CITY SC and Minnesota United at CITYPARK. Minnesota United won the game, 3-1.

Sept. 14, 2024: A tifo is unfurled by FC Cincinnati's fans prior to the

Sept. 7, 2024: Columbus Crew fans raise a tifo before the game against the Seattle Sounders FC at Lower.com Field. The Seattle Sounders won the game, 4-0.

Aug. 31: Portland Timbers fans unveil a tifo before the match against the Seattle Sounders at Providence Park. The Portland Timbers won the game, 1-0.

Aug. 31: Austin FC fans unfurl a tifo before the match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Q2 Stadium. Vancouver won the game, 1-0.

July 13, 2024: TIFOs are displayed prior to the match between the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake at Providence Park. The Portland Timbers won the game, 3-0.

July 13, 2024: FC Cincinnati fans display a TIFO prior to the start of the game against Charlotte FC at TQL Stadium. Charlotte FC won the match, 3-1.

July 13, 2024: St. Louis City SC supporters display a tifo before a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at CITYPARK. The Vancouver Whitecaps won the game, 4-1.

June 29, 2024: New England Revolution Supporters display a tifo before a match against the Columbus Crew at Gillette Stadium. The Columbus Crew won the game, 5-1.

June 22, 2024: Seattle Sounders FC fans display a tifo before the first half of the match against FC Dallas at Lumen Field. The Seattle Sounders won the match, 3-2.

June 22, 2024: A tifo is displayed prior to the match between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Portland Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Timbers won the game, 2-0.

June 22, 2024: A tifo is displayed before a match between Chicago Fire FC and Orlando City at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. Orlando City won the game, 4-2.

May 18, 2024: A tifo is displayed by New York City FC fans before the match against the New York Red Bulls at Citi Field. NYCFC won the game, 2-1.

May 11, 2024: St. Louis City SC fans unfurl a tifo before a match against Chicago Fire FC at CITYPARK. St. Louis won the game, 3-1.

May 11, 2024: Columbus Crew fans unfurl a Tifo in the fan section before the

May 4, 2024: A tifo of Star Wars character Darth Vader is raised before a game between Atlanta United and Minnesota United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Minnesota United won the game, 2-1.

April 6, 2024: Los Angeles FC fans unveil a tifo before the team's rivalry game against the LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium. LAFC won the game, 2-1.

March 30, 2024: Fans display a tifo prior to the start of match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers at BC Place. Vancouver won the game, 3-2.

Feb. 24, 2024: Portland Timbers fans display a tifo before the match against the Colorado Rapids at Providence Park. The Portland Timbers won the game, 4-1.

Feb. 24, 2024: Los Angeles FC fans display a tifo before the game against the Seattle Sounders at BMO Stadium. LAFC won the game, 2-1.

Feb. 24, 2024: Columbus Crew fans unfurl a tifo before the match against Atlanta United at Lower.com Field. The Columbus Crew won the game, 1-0.

Nov. 26, 2023: A tifo is displayed by fans of the Seattle Sounders before the Western Conference Semifinal match against Los Angeles FC at Lumen Field. LAFC won the game, 1-0.

Oct. 30, 2023: A tifo is displayed by Seattle Sounders FC supporters before Game 1 of a first-round playoff match against FC Dallas at Lumen Field. The Seattle Sounders won the game, 2-0.

Oct. 21, 2023: Portland Timbers fans hold up a tifo before a game against the Houston Dynamo at Providence Park. The Houston Dynamo won the game, 3-1.

Oct. 21, 2023: A tifo is seen prior to a match between St. Louis City SC and the Seattle Sounders at CITYPARK in St. Louis. The Seattle Sounders won the game, 2-0.

Oct. 7, 2023: Austin FC fans display a sign before the game between Los Angeles FC and Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. LAFC won the game, 4-2.

Sept. 30, 2023: St. Louis City fans display tifo before a game against Sporting Kansas City at CITYPARK. St. Louis won the game, 4-1.

Sept. 16, 2023: Los Angeles FC fans unfurl a tifo that reads

Sept. 2, 2023: New England Revolution fans raise a tifo before the start of a match against the Austin FC at Gillette Stadium. New England and Austin tied, 2-2.

Aug. 26, 2023: Portland Timbers fans raise a tifo before a game against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Providence Park. Vancouver won the game, 3-2.

Aug. 15, 2023: Philadelphia Union fans display a tifo before the Leagues Cup semifinal game against Inter Miami CF at Subaru Park.

July 15, 2023: A Tifo is held up by fans in celebration of former Portland Timbers player, Diego Valeri, being inducted into the Timbers Ring of Honor before the game against Columbus Crew at Providence Park. The Portland Timbers won the game, 3-2.

July 1, 2023: A tifo is unfurled in the stands as Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes players walk onto the pitch before the game at Stanford Stadium. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

June 24, 2023: A tifo banner is seen before the game between the Columbus Crew and Nashville SC at Lower.com Field. Columbus won the game, 2-0.

June 11, 2023: Portland Timbers fans raise a tifo in celebration of Pride month before a game against FC Dallas at Providence Park. Portland won the game, 1-0.

June 3, 2023: Seattle Sounders supporters display a tifo before a game against the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field. The game ended in a 0-0 tie.

May 27, 2023: A tifo is displayed in the Orlando City SC supporters' section before a match against Atlanta United FC at Exploria Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

May 20, 2023: Austin FC fans unveil a Groot tifo before the game against Toronto FC at Q2 Stadium. Austin FC won the game, 1-0.

May 6, 2023: A tifo banner is seen during the game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Colorado Rapids at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Colorado Rapids won the game, 3-1.

April 29, 2023: A Willie Nelson tifo banner is displayed before Austin FC's game against the San Jose Earthquakes at Q2 Stadium. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

April 15, 2023: Portland Timbers fans raise a tifo before the game against the Seattle Sounders at Providence Park. Portland won the game, 4-1.

March 18, 2023: The New England Revolution fans unveil a tifo before the game against Nashville SC at Gillette Stadium. New England won the game, 1-0.

March 11, 2023: A tribute to deceased former Charlotte FC and Atlanta United player Anton Walkes is unveiled at Bank of America Stadium. Atlanta United defeated Charlotte FC, 3-0.

March 4, 2023: St. Louis City SC fans unfurl a tifo before the game against Charlotte FC at CITYPARK. St. Louis City SC won, 3-1, in the team's first-ever home game.

March 4, 2023: A tifo is displayed by Los Angeles FC fans before the game against the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium. LAFC won the game, 3-2.

Feb. 25, 2023: Fans raise a tifo before the game between Columbus Crew SC and the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. Philadelphia won the game, 4-1.

Feb. 25, 2023: A tifo is seen prior to the game between the Houston Dynamo and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati won the game, 2-1.

Feb. 25, 2023: Austin FC fans display a tifo before the match against St. Louis CITY SC at Q2 Stadium. St. Louis won the game, 3-2, earning a victory in its first-ever MLS match.

Feb. 25, 2023: A tifo of late former Atlanta United FC player Anton Walkes is raised in tribute before the game between the Atlanta United FC and the San Jose Earthquakes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On Jan. 18, 2023, Walkes was killed in a boat crash in Miami, Florida.

Feb. 25, 2023: A tifo celebrating 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar is displayed before the season-opening game between the Nashville SC and the New York City FC at Geodis Park. Nashville SC won the game, 2-0.

Nov. 5, 2022: The fans in the 3252 lift a tifo and light flares prior to MLS Cup between the Philadelphia Union and Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC won the game for its first-ever MLS Cup title.

Oct. 2, 2022: Portland Timbers fans raise a tifo before the game against Los Angeles FC at Providence Park. Los Angeles FC won the game, 2-1.

Sept. 17, 2022: New York City FC fans hold a TIFO before the game against the New York Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC won the game, 2-0.

Aug. 27, 2022: A tifo in the Bailey supporters section is seen prior to the game between Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Aug. 26, 2022: Portland Timbers fans raise a tifo before the game against against the Seattle Sounders at Providence Park. The Timbers won the game, 2-1.

July 17, 2022: Portland Timbers fans raise a tifo before a game against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Providence Park. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

July 17, 2022: A tifo is raised before a match between the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field. Columbus won the game, 2-0.

July 9, 2022: Seattle Sounders FC fans display a tifo before a game against the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field. Portland won the game, 3-0.

June 26, 2022: Los Angeles FC's supporters' group, the 3252, unfurls a

June 18, 2022: Columbus Crew fans unveil a Pride tifo before a match against Charlotte FC at Lower.com Field. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

May 4, 2022: Seattle Sounders FC fans display a tifo that read

April 2, 2022: Columbus Crew legend Federico Higuain is honored by a tifo hoisted before the match against Nashville SC at Lower.com Field. Nashville won the game, 1-0.

March 6, 2022: Austin FC fans display a tifo before the game against Inter Miami at Q2 Stadium. Austin FC won the game, 5-1.

March 5, 2022: A tifo is raised before the match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium. The Galaxy prevailed 1-0 in what was the first home game for Charlotte FC.

March 5, 2022: FC Cincinnati fans hold up a tifo prior to the game against D.C. United at TQL Stadium. D.C. United won the game, 1-0.

Feb. 26, 2022: A general view of a tifo before the game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. Columbus won the game, 4-0.

Feb. 26, 2022: Fans hold a banner honoring legendary Mexican singer Vicente Fernández before the game between the Los Angeles FC and the Colorado Rapids at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC won the game, 3-0.

Sept. 26, 2021: A tifo with the image of Tejano singer Selena reads

Aug. 21, 2021: The Columbus Crew fans hang tifos before a match between the Crew and the Seattle Sounders at Lower.com Stadium. Seattle won the game, 2-1.

Aug. 18, 2021: A likeness of Ted Lasso is seen on tifo prior to the game between CF Montreal and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. The game ended in a 0-0 tie.

June 19, 2021: The Austin FC team takes the field for their home opener against the San Jose Earthquakes at Q2 Stadium. The game ended in a 0-0 tie.

June 19, 2021: Fans display a tifo before the game between Los Angeles FC and the Houston Dynamo at Banc of California Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

April 24, 2021: A tifo is raised before match between the Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami CF at Talen Energy Stadium. Miami won the game, 2-1.

April 17, 2021: A tifo in the memory of LAFC 3252 fan Maurice Fascio, aka Mo Facio, a Los Angeles FC fan who died of COVID-19, is unveiled before the game against Austin FC at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC won the game, 2-0.

Orlando City SC supporters raise a tifo prior to the game against the Atlanta United FC at Orlando City Stadium on April 17, 2021. The game ended in a 0-0 tie.

Oct. 28, 2020: A tifo is raised before the game between the Philadelphia Union and the Chicago Fire at Subaru Park. Philadelphia won, 2-1.

March 1, 2020: Columbus Crew SC fans in the Nordecke unveil a tifo before the game against New York City FC at Mapfre Stadium. Columbus won the game, 1-0.

Nov. 10, 2019: Seattle Sounders fans display a tifo before MLS Cup against Toronto FC at CenturyLink Field. Settle won MLS Cup, the team's second in four years, 3-1.

Oct. 24, 2019: Los Angeles FC fans unfurl an

Oct. 23, 2019: New York City FC fans display a banner before the playoff game against Toronto FC at Citi Field. Toronto FC won the game, 2-1.

Oct. 20, 2019: Minnesota United supporters unveil their tifo before the playoff game against the LA Galaxy at Allianz Field. The Galaxy won the game, 2-1.

Aug. 25, 2019: LAFC's supporters' section displays a Guns N' Roses-inspired tifo prior to the game against the LA Galaxy at Banc of California Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.

Aug. 25, 2019: A view of the tifo before the game between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas won the game, 5-1.

Aug. 25, 2019: A view of the tifo in the stands prior to the game between the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium. Columbus won the game, 3-1.

Aug. 11, 2019: Philadelphia Union fans raise a tifo inspired by the Q*bert arcade game before the match against the Houston Dynamo at Talen Energy Stadium. Philadelphia won the game, 2-1.

July 19, 2019: LA Galaxy fans hold up a tifo prior to the game against Los Angeles FC at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy won the game, 3-2.

June 22, 2019: Portland Timbers fans take part in opening ceremonies before a game against the Houston Dynamo at Providence Park. The Timbers beat the Dynamo, 4-0.

May 24, 2019: A Freedie Mercury tifo is displayed prior to the game between the Los Angeles FC and Montreal Impact at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC won the game, 4-2.

May 4: Philadelphia Union fans display Star Wars-themed tifo prior to a game against the New England Revolution at Talen Energy Stadium. Philadelphia won the game, 6-1.

April 6, 2019: Philadelphia Union fans display a tifo during the first half against the FC Dallas at Talen Energy Stadium. Philadlephia won the game, 2-1.

March 10, 2019: The tifo celebrating the next chapter for Atlanta United is hoisted up from the supporters group area in the stands before the match against the FC Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

March 3, 2019: Los Angeles FC supporters unveil the tifo before the game against Sporting Kansas City at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC won the game, 2-1.

March 2, 2019: FC Dallas fans raise a tifo before the match against the New England Revolution at Toyota Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Dec. 8, 2018: A train tifo is unveiled prior to the 2018 MLS Cup championship game between the Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta won the game, 2-0, to win the league title in its second season of existence.

Nov. 11, 2018: Atlanta United fans hoist a tifo of coach Gerardo

Nov. 4, 2018: Portland Timbers fans hoist a banner in support of their team before the start of a playoff game against the Seattle Sounders at Providence Park. Portland won the first leg of their Western Conference semifinal, 2-1.

Oct. 28, 2018: Seattle Sounders supports hold up a banner during the first half at CenturyLink Field.

Sept. 22, 2018: An Atlanta United tifo goes up prior to the game against Real Salt Lake at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta won the game, 2-0.

Sept. 22, 2018: Fans in the Los Angeles FC supporters section unveil a

Sept. 1, 2018: Seattle Sounders FC fans hold up a tifo honoring retiring player Clint Dempsey before the start of a game against Sporting Kansas City at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won the game, 3-1.

Aug. 26, 2018: New York Red Bulls fans unfurl a sign before the game against D.C. United at Red Bull Arena. NYRB won the game, 1-0.

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Aug. 24, 2018: Orlando City fans hold up a tifo prior to the game against the Atlanta United at Orlando City Stadium. Atlanta won the game, 2-1.

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Aug. 23, 2018: Houston Dynamo fans display a tifo before a game against FC Dallas at BBVA Compass Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> July 21, 2018: A sign is displayed before a game between the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas at BBVA Compass Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.