Emil Forsberg of RB Leipzig controlling a soccer bal
By Phil West profile image Phil West
7 min read

2026 MLS Season Preview Extravaganza, Part 3

We round out the East with both New York teams, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Toronto.

Welcome to Verde Week!

To celebrate the start of the 2026 MLS season (for Austin FC and the league's other 29 teams), I've embarked on a massive season preview undertaking. Thirty capsule reviews, spread over five days, to give you a sense of how these teams transformed (as of this writing) during the offseason, plus a little lagniappe (in the spirit of this also being Mardi Gras week, and by the way, Happy Mardi Gras!)

Also, to prompt you to support independent soccer coverage — needed now more than ever! — I'm offering a special yearly subscription rate for this week only.

Yesterday's previews: D.C. United, Inter Miami CF, CF Montréal, Nashville SC, and New England Revolution.

Sunday's previews: Atlanta United, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire FC, FC Cincinnati, and Columbus Crew.

Wednesday through Friday: The West.

By Phil West profile image Phil West
Updated on
2026 season mls season previews