Young breakout stars are setting the tone early, powering winning performances to start the 2026 campaign.
Teen Talent Takes Center Stage in MLS
It may be early in 2026, but teenage sensations are already making their mark across the league. A total of 29 teenagers appeared across the league this weekend, tied for the most in a single weekend in MLS history.
In New York, three teenage players combined on the game-winning goal for the Red Bulls, while Real Salt Lake’s 18-year-old Aiden Hezarkhani opened his MLS account off an assist Luca Moisa. The kids are not just getting minutes, they’re influencing outcomes. Across Colorado, Salt Lake, New York and Vancouver, teenagers played decisive roles in these victories.
With MLS NEXT and MLS NEXT Pro continuing to funnel talent into first teams, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the league’s youth movement. The pipeline is no longer potential, but now significant production.
Josh Sargent Ready to Make His Mark in MLS
Toronto FC has landed its No. 9 in U.S. Men’s National Team forward Josh Sargent. The 26-year-old American joins on a club-record deal and could make his MLS debut on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire against FC Cincinnati (7 p.m. ET).
After scoring 50-plus goals with Norwich City in England, Sargent returns to North America as the centerpiece of a revamped Toronto FC team. With his former U.S. Youth National teammate Djordje Mihailovic donning the No. 10, Toronto has a dangerous duo that will be a notable force in the Eastern Conference.
Their first test is none other than the best regular season team in MLS over the past three seasons as they go on the road to TQL Stadium.
D.C. Looking to Make a Statement in Baltimore Against Miami
When D.C. United’s 2026 regular season schedule came out, one match stood out on the calendar against Inter Miami CF at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on March 7.
But at 4:30 p.m. ET next Saturday, D.C. will also get to showcase how far their rebuild has come against the reigning MLS Cup champions. After a disappointing 2025, D.C.’s revamped lineup – featuring new Designated Player Tai Baribo – has looked threating and organized in head coach René Weiler’s first full season.
The real test will come in front of a packed DMV-area crowd, with all eyes on the home side in a marquee matchup.
A Year 2 Leap Candidate: Wessam Abou Ali
MLS has seen countless players arrive in the summer, but truly hit their stride in Year 2 with a full preseason under their belts. The next candidate may be Columbus Crew forward Wessam Abou Ali.
If you’re searching for some of those Year 2 jumps, look no further than last year’s MVP finalists. Lionel Messi, Denis Bouanga and Sam Surridge had a combined four goals in 22 games in their debut partial seasons. The following year, they erupted for 52 goals in 78 games.
Columbus’ Wessam Abou Ali fits that mold. He had success in limited minutes in 2025 and already looks more comfortable in 2026, scoring in each of the first two matches. The Crew have also seen similar second-year surges from Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernández. For Abou Ali, he will look to continue that trend on Walmart Saturday Showdown against Chicago Fire FC (7:30 p.m. ET).
Quick Hits From Around the League:
- Earlier today, MLS announced that the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime will feature the MLS All-Stars taking on a team of All-Stars from LIGA MX on Wednesday, July 29 (8 p.m. ET) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- On Tuesday, Chicago Fire FC will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new stadium which will include Mayor Brandon Johnson, Ald. Pat Dowell, Fire owner and chairman Joe Mansueto and team president Dave Baldwin. Chicago’s stadium will be the 29th soccer-specific stadium to open in MLS and is currently expected to open in spring 2028.
- New York City FC’s Keaton Parks has returned to the pitch in 2026 after multiple surgeries in the past 18 months, and is already making an impact for the club. The New York Post’s Christian Arnold details Parks’ remarkable road back in this piece from the weekend.
