MLS is Back: 10 Storylines to Follow Post World Cup Break | OneFootball

The 2026 Major League Soccer is back today after a seven-week break. We dive into some of the biggest narratives we’ll have our eyes set on for the second half of the season. 

When we last left Major League Soccer in its 31st season, plenty had changed, particularly on the sidelines. Seven head coaches who began the season are already gone, including notable names such as Óscar Pareja, Javier Mascherano, and Phil Neville.

MLS also announced an average global audience of 7.9 million viewers per week on Apple TV. Nashville SC sits atop the overall league standings, while the San Jose Earthquakes have emerged as one of the biggest stories of the season, currently sitting second overall and first in the Western Conference.

Inter Miami, despite firing its coach, has Lionel Messi playing at an MVP level once again, while Atlanta United continues to be one of the league’s biggest disappointments. Then there is Michael Bradley and his young core with Red Bull New York, along with the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are enjoying another excellent season despite the growing uncertainty surrounding the club’s future.

But what happens next? The seven-week hiatus to make way for the World Cup ends today, and MLS live scores are kicking back off with an all-Canadian duel between CF Montreal and Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

As the league launches its largest coordinated campaign to capitalize on World Cup fever, let’s break down the 10 biggest storylines to follow in the second half of the MLS season.

The Guillermo Hoyos Era at Inter Miami

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

According to multiple reports, Guillermo Hoyos is expected to remain in charge through the end of the season. That comes as little surprise given his close relationship with Messi and his impressive 6-1-1 record since replacing Mascherano.

Under Hoyos, Inter Miami has remained an offensive powerhouse, although the team continues to leak goals defensively.

Help could be on the way with the rumored arrival of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. At 34 years old, he fits the profile of the expensive veteran signings Inter Miami has become known for. The club currently sits second in the Eastern Conference, but the project is beginning to show its age. Messi, despite what his World Cup performances would tell you, is now 39, as is Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul is 32.

The club is reportedly looking to strengthen its defense and could move on from Maximiliano Falcón. Meanwhile, Noah Allen continues to attract interest from European clubs.

Inter Miami may be rebuilding on the fly while still chasing a second straight MLS Cup.

Seismic Activity in San Jose

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

The San Jose Earthquakes have been one of the league’s biggest surprises in 2026. In the second year of Bruce Arena’s tenure, the club enters the second half of the season tied for first place in the Western Conference.

Arena has relied heavily on American talent, with Preston Judd leading the attack with 11 goals, while United States U-23 prospect Niko Tsakiris has contributed eight assists.

Meanwhile, marquee signing Timo Werner made an immediate impact before suffering an injury, recording seven goals and four assists. Once the German returns, a San Jose team that has also been strong defensively will be one of the favorites for the remainder of the regular season.

Bradley and the Boys

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

The New York Red Bulls have become one of the league’s most intriguing teams as Bradley begins his managerial career by embracing a youth movement that has caught plenty of attention.

The team is far from perfect, but Bradley is building a foundation centered around young talent and future transfer revenue, giving both MLS fans and U.S. men’s national team supporters plenty of reasons to watch.

Julian Hall continues to develop into one of the country’s brightest prospects, while Justin Che has enjoyed a resurgence alongside Cade Cowell. Matthew Dos Santos and Adri Mehmeti are also players to watch as the Red Bulls continue building toward the future while battling for a playoff spot.

Chucky Lozano and San Diego FC’s Nightmare Sophomore Slump

San Diego FC has been one of the biggest disappointments in its second MLS season.

Head coach Mikey Varas has refused to reinstate star winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who hasn’t played for the club since last November’s 3-1 loss to Vancouver in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Lozano, meanwhile, has chosen to stand his ground, exercising his no-trade clause and remaining content to let his cleats collect dust while earning $9.3 million in guaranteed compensation. His decision affected his standing with the Mexico national team, and he missed out on a chance to represent his country in a home World Cup.

To make matters worse, San Diego has been inconsistent throughout the season, posting a sub-.500 record while criticism continues to mount toward Varas, whom many believe overachieved during the club’s inaugural campaign.

New Faces and the Post-World Cup Boost

Will the massive television ratings and attendance figures from the 2026 FIFA World Cup translate into greater interest in MLS? That’s the big question surrounding the second half of the 2026 season.

The league’s “Can I Kick It?” campaign is hoping to draw in new soccer fans, putting international stars like Messi, Son Heung-Min, and Antoine Griezmann alongside U.S. and Canadian national team players including Sebastian Berhalter, Tim Ream, and Dayne St. Clair.

Griezmann, who’ll make his debut for Orlando City next week, is one of several new additions to MLS post-World Cup, headlining a star-studded cast that also features Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire), Allan Saint-Maximin (Charlotte FC), and the not-yet-announced-but-Fabrizio-confirmed Inter Miami signee, Casemiro.

Will the new faces be instant impacts, like Messi and Son, or will they be burnouts like Xherdan Shaqiri and Lorenzo Insigne?

And aside from these international stars, will the league spend aggressively to bring more Americans home from Europe? Will a breakout World Cup hero choose MLS? How will clubs in World Cup host cities capitalize on a new wave of soccer fans?

MLS executives have plenty of work ahead if they hope to turn soccer from an event-driven sport into a weekly obsession alongside the NBA, NFL, and MLB.

The Story in Nashville

Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images

Nashville SC continues to establish itself as one of the league’s elite clubs, entering the World Cup break with the best overall record in MLS.

Currently riding a three-match winning streak, Nashville has positioned itself as one of the favorites to lift the MLS Cup.

Head coach B.J. Callaghan has compiled an impressive 38-13-24 record while also winning the 2025 U.S. Open Cup. If and when Mauricio Pochettino eventually moves on from the USMNT, Callaghan’s name will almost certainly be among the candidates to replace him.

The Fate of the Vancouver Whitecaps

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Chairman Ting (@chairman_ting)

The Vancouver Whitecaps could relocate to Las Vegas after MLS acknowledged that the club continues to lose money in Canada. The organization needs a better stadium agreement and stronger corporate sponsorship support to remain viable.

At the moment, the only formal purchase offer comes from an American investment group that plans to move the club to Las Vegas and build a soccer-specific stadium near the Strip.

To prevent the relocation, local supporters, business leaders, and government officials are working to keep the historic club in Vancouver. Hundreds of local companies have reportedly expressed interest in sponsorship opportunities, while city officials continue exploring stadium options.

All of this comes while the Whitecaps remain one of the best teams in MLS and continue to dominate the Western Conference.

The Aura of Gregg Berhalter

Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images

Gregg Berhalter continues to loom over the greater soccer landscape, much to the frustration of many USMNT fans.

Despite a relatively mediocre run with the Chicago Fire, the club is coming out of the gates swinging, most notably with the signing of Lewandowski. The Fire will also have Mbekezeli Mbokazi fresh off yet another stellar run with South Africa, this time on the world’s biggest stage.

Berhalter also seems to be featured prominently in MLS promotional campaigns, and every Fire victory tends to receive extra attention. He remains a favorite within league circles, and if the U.S. men’s national team job opens again, anything Chicago accomplishes this season will undoubtedly be used to strengthen the case for Berhalter Part III.

The Mess at Atlanta United

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Tata Martino has done little to quell the chaos at Atlanta United.

Even by the Argentine’s own admission, the team has performed so poorly that, had he been anyone else, he likely would have already been fired.

Atlanta sits 28th overall in MLS and remains one of the league’s worst teams. The club is reportedly searching for defensive reinforcements, but with Miguel Almirón underperforming, Atlanta appears stuck in a deep slump.

Will Tata survive the season long enough to turn things around?

The Race for the Golden Boot

The race for the MLS Golden Boot remains one of the league’s most compelling storylines.

Hugo Cuypers leads the way with 13 goals, while World Cup scorers Messi and Petar Musa sit just behind him with 12 each.

Several surprise names are also in the mix. Preston Judd and Martín Ojeda have each scored 11 goals, while rising star Julian Hall has nine.

Further down the list, Luis Suárez, Pep Biel, and Kelvin Yeboah remain within striking distance and could quickly climb the standings with a hot streak.