Whether it’s global superstars, iconic rivalries, or emerging young talent, MLS’ restart has everything to offer ahead of the World Cup final.
MLS Restarts With Six Sensational Matches
Major League Soccer is officially back, as the league restarts from its World Cup break with new talent, iconic rivalries, and primetime action ahead of the World Cup final.
Four games begin on Thursday, featuring plenty of rivalry matchups like the Canadian Classique, a Cascadia Cup clash between Portland and Seattle, along with an always-heated St. Louis CITY SC vs. Sporting Kansas City contest. Not to be forgotten, Chicago Fire FC host Vancouver Whitecaps FC in what could be the MLS debut of global star and new Chicago forward Robert Lewandowski.
The action only gets better on Friday with an Apple TV, FOX and FOX Deportes doubleheader, kicking off with the league’s hottest team, Nashville SC, hosting Atlanta United at GEODIS Park. MLS’ restart would not be complete without another edition of El Tráfico as the stars collide in Los Angeles between the Galaxy and LAFC.
The world’s attention turns to MLS and will be treated to some of the best the league has to offer on Thursday and Friday.
Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here
As the FIFA World Cup captivates fans worldwide, MLS launched the largest coordinated marketing campaign in league history, “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here,” a league-wide initiative that invites the unprecedented momentum and fandom generated by the tournament as the MLS regular season resumes July 16-17.
When the MLS season resumes, all 30 clubs will launch promotional initiatives and special offers designed to welcome new fans, including “First Match On Us” from 22 clubs providing complimentary tickets to first-time attendees. These efforts will help ensure affordable and accessible opportunities for fans to experience MLS matches.
The campaign will debut during FOX's coverage of the FIFA World Cup semifinal and final matches before expanding across Apple TV and other channels. The national media rollout will be supported by a comprehensive buy across linear, streaming, digital, social, and out-of-home platforms, as well as in-stadium signage.
Robert Lewandowski Adds More Star Power to Chicago
MLS’ summer transfer window opened yesterday, but arguably the biggest summer signing was announced earlier this break when Chicago Fire FC acquired iconic Polish forward Robert Lewandowski. The No. 9 with more than 700 goals to his name could make his debut on Thursday against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV).
Lewandowski’s arrival underscores the Fire’s commitment to building a world-class club by acquiring elite talent to compete for championships and elevate the club’s global profile. Lewandowski arrives having scored 61 times for Barcelona in the last two seasons and joins one of the best attacks in MLS alongside MLS All-Star forward Hugo Cuypers.
If Lewandowski debuts against Vancouver on Thursday, he will see a familiar face in Whitecaps midfielder Thomas Müller, who he shared the field with 333 times in his career with FC Bayern, the most among all of his former teammates. The stars continue to come to MLS and the legendary striker aims to make a statement in his potential debut.
The Data Behind Vancouver and Nashville’s Supporters’ Shield Chase
As MLS enters the second half of the 2026 MLS season, MLS Communications’ new Advanced Analytics tool provides in-depth tactical insights behind the leaders in the Supporters' Shield race.
Western Conference frontrunners, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, whose league-leading xG of 37.38 tops all MLS clubs, have excelled down the left flank, generating more goals and shots from that area than any other team. Vancouver travels to Chicago to take on the surging Fire in a father-vs.-son battle between U.S. Men’s National Team standout Sebastian Berhalter and head coach Gregg Berhalter (8:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV).
In the Eastern Conference, Nashville SC's attacking trio of Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar, and Cristian Espinoza has helped the club outperform its xG of 22.89, scoring 31 goals from high-quality shots. Combined with a league-best defense, Nashville will look to rekindle its hot start to the season against Atlanta United this Friday (8:10 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV, FOX, FOX Deportes).
