2026 MLS All-Stars: Which players deserve your vote? | MLSSoccer.com

Soccer

Get your ballots ready: It’s time to vote for the 2026 MLS All-Stars.

I’ve got my standouts below, arranged in the 4-3-3 formation that fans can select from through the May 21 voting deadline.

As always, I vote by evaluating the top-performing teams and players who are on contenders. I encourage you to do the same.

Who will represent the league against the LIGA MX All-Stars this summer in Charlotte? Let’s hear your take as the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime takes shape.

Turner is a huge reason why the Revs are an early-season contender in the Eastern Conference. He’s back near his 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year form, and is pushing to start for the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I hope New England keep him around beyond his current loan from Lyon, which ends in June. 

Honorable mention: I’ve also got to highlight Hugo Lloris, who has a league-best eight shutouts with LAFC. The 2018 World Cup champion has come up clutch all year.

Sanabria has been a key addition for RSL, who acquired him during the winter from Atlético de San Luis in LIGA MX. He’s added strong balance to the team and delivered end product with four assists. I expect him to represent Uruguay at this summer’s World Cup.

Honorable mention: Year after year, Seattle’s Nouhou keeps performing at a really high level. He’s more than deserving of a shout.

Munie has taken a big step forward this season and has a legitimate case for MLS Defender of the Year. He’s really gifted athletically, puts out fires for the Supporters’ Shield leaders, and has turned into a true leader. 

Ragen should be on the USMNT radar after the World Cup. He’s probably the league’s most underrated center back over the past couple of seasons. Even with Yeimar out injured, he has steadied Seattle’s league-best defense (six goals against).

Honorable mentions: The Nashville SC duo of Maxwell Woledzi and Jeisson Palacios continues to impress. Same with New England’s Mamadou Fofana and Osaze Urhoghide from FC Dallas.

As much as we rave about Nashville’s three Designated Players, Nájar is a big part of why they’re still elite defensively. He is one of the most creative fullbacks in MLS and can unlock opponents with a pass or dribble. 

Honorable mention: If RSL’s Zavier Gozo were an out-and-out right back, I’d put him as the starter. The 19-year-old homegrown has been absolutely ruthless in the final third.

This is a no-brainer pick. Berhalter was fantastic in 2025, earning MLS Best XI honors and emerging as a USMNT midfielder. He’s followed that up with a team-best 11 goal contributions (4g/7a) for the Whitecaps, boosting his case for a World Cup roster spot.

Honorable mentions: San Jose’s Beau Leroux and Red Bull New York‘s Adri Mehmeti are fantastic players. In particular, Mehmeti has showcased huge potential and seems like he’ll play for a big-time European club one day.

I’ve got Messi as an attacking midfielder for these purposes, even if many consider him a forward. The back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP leads the league with 13 goal contributions (9g/4a) and remains absolutely world-class. At times, he’s single-handedly willed Inter Miami to victory.

Has Charlotte met their potential this year? Not yet. But that’s no indictment on Biel, who remains one of the premier No. 10s in MLS. He has a team-best 10 goal contributions (6g/4a) and would be a more-than-deserving local pick, one the Bank of America Stadium crowd can rally behind at All-Star.

Honorable mention: Up until his recent groin injury, I had San Jose’s Niko Tsakiris as one of my attacking midfielders. The 20-year-old homegrown has been that good for the Earthquakes, who are the league’s surprise team in 2026.

Let’s not overthink this one: Musa, Surridge and Cuypers are in the Golden Boot presented by Audi hunt. All three strikers are clinical in the box and can score in a variety of ways. 

Musa is pushing to represent Croatia at the World Cup, Surridge is scoring about every 50 minutes per match, and Cuypers is on a historic pace for the Fire.

Honorable mentions: Although I’ve not been enamored with the MLS winger play this year, San Diego FC‘s Anders Dreyer remains elite. I’d also be remiss not to shout out Nicolás Fernández Mercau, who has smoothed over New York City FC‘s concerns of having Alonso Martínez out injured long-term.

Read MoreMarquis Pekar

Latest

Oregon Sues Oklahoma Transfer Over Alleged Unpaid $10K NIL Contract Buyout

The University of Oregon says one of its former football players owes it $10,000, and the school is willing to go to court to get it. The school filed a lawsuit in Lane County Circuit Court last week against Dakoda Fields, a defensive back who spent two years with the Ducks before transferring to Oklahoma

Breaking Down Ole Miss’ Strengths, Weaknesses and One Thing It Needs to Beat LSU

The hottest location in college football this year brings LSU and Ole Miss together for a matchup that should be as close are expected. Both teams are rebuilt through the transfer portal and new coaching staffs, and this Sept. 19 matchup will be the first big test for either squad. So what gives Ole Miss

What are Indiana Football’s Biggest Trap Games of 2026?

Where will Indiana be ranked to start the 2026 college football season? While debate will rage regardless of the number next to Indiana's name to start the year, the Hoosiers will likely be favored in no fewer than 11 of their 12 regular season contests. That doesn't mean there won't be challenges along the way

Green steel startup Boston Metal is doubling down on critical metals

The startup Boston Metal has raised a $75 million funding round to produce critical metals, MIT Technology Review can exclusively report.   The company has been known largely for its efforts to clean up steel production, an industry that's responsible for about 8% of global greenhouse emissions today. With the additional money, the new focus could

Newsletter

Don't miss

Oregon Sues Oklahoma Transfer Over Alleged Unpaid $10K NIL Contract Buyout

The University of Oregon says one of its former football players owes it $10,000, and the school is willing to go to court to get it. The school filed a lawsuit in Lane County Circuit Court last week against Dakoda Fields, a defensive back who spent two years with the Ducks before transferring to Oklahoma

Breaking Down Ole Miss’ Strengths, Weaknesses and One Thing It Needs to Beat LSU

The hottest location in college football this year brings LSU and Ole Miss together for a matchup that should be as close are expected. Both teams are rebuilt through the transfer portal and new coaching staffs, and this Sept. 19 matchup will be the first big test for either squad. So what gives Ole Miss

What are Indiana Football’s Biggest Trap Games of 2026?

Where will Indiana be ranked to start the 2026 college football season? While debate will rage regardless of the number next to Indiana's name to start the year, the Hoosiers will likely be favored in no fewer than 11 of their 12 regular season contests. That doesn't mean there won't be challenges along the way

Green steel startup Boston Metal is doubling down on critical metals

The startup Boston Metal has raised a $75 million funding round to produce critical metals, MIT Technology Review can exclusively report.   The company has been known largely for its efforts to clean up steel production, an industry that's responsible for about 8% of global greenhouse emissions today. With the additional money, the new focus could

Embracer Follows Ubisoft In Splitting Off New Publisher To Handle Huge IP, Tomb Raider & LOTR Included

Say hello to Fellowship Entertainment by Ben Kerry 11 hours ago Embracer Group has today announced plans to create a secondary publishing label called Fellowship Entertainment, in order to "capture the full potential of the high-quality assets" that the group currently owns. The Swedish game publisher says that it hopes to spin off Fellowship Entertainment

Tesla’s Business Has Become Much More Diversified in Just the Past Five Years. Does That Make Its Stock a Better Buy Today?

Key Points Tesla's energy generation and storage segment generated 27% revenue growth last year. The company's non-automotive segments were able to help offset a double-digit decline in auto revenue in 2025. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is known for its electric vehicles (EVs), and while they

WD sees sustainability as key business driver in an ‘AI economy’

Hard drive company WD promoted long-term operations and sustainability executive Jackie Jung to become its first chief sustainability officer in February, as it steps up sales to companies building AI data centers. Her vision: Turn sustainability into a “brand” for WD, a strategy that reduces risk for the $6 billion company (formerly known as Western

5 Business Ideas Worth Starting in 2026

If there is one thing Nigerians understand well, it is how to spot opportunity inside hardship. In 2026, that mindset will matter more than ever. The economy is tough, competition is rising, and many people are looking for smarter ways to earn, build, and survive. But even in a difficult environment, some businesses still stand