Major League Soccer kicks off its 2026 season Saturday with LAFC hosting Inter Miami in a marquee matchup that sets the stage for another competitive campaign. Lionel Messi led Miami to its first MLS Cup last season, but faces challenges defending the title after longtime Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba departed. The Herons have rebuilt aggressively, adding Sergio Reguilón, Germán Berterame, and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to maintain their championship core.

Miami's path to back-to-back titles won't be easy, with Son Heung-Min's LAFC emerging as the primary challenger. The Black and Gold retained star forward Denis Bouanga and added Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustáquio on loan, creating a formidable squad under new manager Marc dos Santos. Meanwhile, Vancouver Whitecaps return most of their roster after falling short in both MLS Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup finals last season, while Austin FC made a splash by re-signing Facundo Torres from Palmeiras.

Beyond South Florida and Los Angeles, several teams made significant moves to bolster their rosters. James Rodríguez joined Minnesota United, Timo Werner signed with San Jose Earthquakes, and D.C. United acquired Romania forward Louis Munteanu. With the 2026 World Cup hosted in the United States, MLS teams are using the season to showcase talent and prepare players for international competition, making this year's title race particularly compelling.