Soccer <\/p>\n
I\u2019m not the only one who never grew out of the joy-filled anticipation of wanting to rip open a box covered in wrapping paper, right?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Alright, phew. Glad we\u2019re on the same page. But this holiday season, I\u2019m not just looking forward to opening my own gifts. Rather, I\u2019m keeping my eyes peeled to see which MLS teams get what they really need this winter.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s one thing that should be on each club\u2019s holiday wishlist for the 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Designated Players to come good<\/strong><\/p>\n The Five Stripes<\/a>\u2019 three DPs \u2013 Alexey Miranchuk<\/a>, Miguel Almir\u00f3n<\/a>\u00a0and Emmanuel Latte Lath<\/a> \u2013 combined for 19 goals and 12 assists last season. Those are Best XI numbers\u2026 if accrued by one person rather than three.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Can head coach Tata Martino get those three on the same page? Maybe the front office finds an exit for Miranchuk?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n More attacking creativity<\/strong><\/p>\n Owen Wolff<\/a> led Austin<\/a> in open-play shot-creating passes last year, as per FBref. And yet, on a per-90-minute basis? The 20-year-old was in just the 59th percentile in those shot-creating passes compared to his MLS positional peers, as per FBref.<\/p>\n The takeaway? The Verde & Black need to find more creativity this winter \u2013 and they have a DP spot to potentially use after transferring out Osman Bukari<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A rejuvenated Wilfried Zaha<\/strong><\/p>\n Zaha<\/a> didn\u2019t have a bad 2025, but he didn\u2019t have a spectacular debut season in MLS, either.<\/p>\n With eight non-penalty goals and five primary assists in more than 2,700 regular-season minutes, there\u2019s room for improvement. If a healthy\u00a0Pep Biel<\/a> can help create the platform for Zaha to shine, Charlotte<\/a> will be dangerous.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Jonathan Bamba to step up<\/strong><\/p>\n While Bamba<\/a> was the highest-profile addition of the Fire\u2019<\/a>s 2025 offseason, he only posted nine non-penalty goal contributions in the regular season. With Brian Guti\u00e9rrez now gone<\/a> to Chivas, Gregg Berhalter\u2019s side will need more out of Bamba to help fill the production hole in the final third.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n More chemistry between Evander & K\u00e9vin Denkey<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s plenty of firepower at Pat Noonan\u2019s disposal, but that firepower didn\u2019t impress quite as expected in 2025.<\/p>\n Evander<\/a> and Denkey<\/a> both performed on an individual level, but more link-up play between the two will help Cincinnati<\/a> improve on their 19th-place position in FBref\u2019s non-penalty xG statistic.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Matt Wells hitting the ground running<\/strong><\/p>\n Between additions to their roster this window and back in the summer, and the decision to hire Matt Wells as their new head coach, there\u2019s been plenty of change in Colorado<\/a>. If the former Tottenham Hotspur assistant can get off to a fast start and have an Eric Ramsay-esque impact on the Rapids, they\u2019ll be a real threat in 2026.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A Darlington Nagbe replacement<\/strong><\/p>\n Is such a thing even possible? Factoring in the now-retired Nagbe<\/a>\u2019s leadership and on-field quality, the answer is probably \u201cno.\u201d But the\u00a0Crew<\/a> still need to find someone to handle pressure deep in central midfield. General manager Issa Tall will have a press-resistant midfielder on his wish-list.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Help for Petar Musa<\/strong><\/p>\n Musa<\/a> is a true difference-maker for FC Dallas<\/a> and could feature on Croatia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> squad. But can he get some help in 2026?<\/p>\n Luciano Acosta was supposed to be that player last season, yet that never panned out and prompted his summertime exit<\/a> for Fluminense in Brazil.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whether help arrives in the form of another attacking star or a more durable structure behind him, support for Musa is the goal.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Someone to feed Tai Baribo<\/strong><\/p>\n D.C.\u2019<\/a>s biggest splash of the winter (so far) is\u00a0acquiring Baribo<\/a> from the Philadelphia Union<\/a>. A proven goalscorer in MLS, the Israeli international is a strong addition \u2013 now he needs service. Adding a clever central playmaker to the mix has been a major need in Black-and-Red for years now. This winter is the time to pull the trigger.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n More attacking dynamism<\/strong><\/p>\n Only nine MLS teams generated fewer non-penalty xG than Houston<\/a> in 2025. The front office is reportedly taking steps to bolster the attack this winter, which can only be a good thing. More speed \u2013 and more central playmaking \u2013 could elevate the Dynamo.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n More possession savvy<\/strong><\/p>\n Ready for one of my favorite stats from last year? Even with their attacking stars, LAFC<\/a> ranked just 12th in the league in passes into the box during the 2025 regular season. Now with Marc Dos Santos<\/a> in charge, there\u2019s room for them to become more effective on the ball in the final third.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A Riqui Puig-led vibe shift<\/strong><\/p>\n The equation in Carson seems simple: with Puig<\/a>, the Galaxy<\/a> are one of the league\u2019s toughest teams to beat. Without him? They struggle mightily. A healthy Puig post-ACL tear should transform LA’s 2026 season \u2013 and bring back the good vibes, too.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A Sergio Busquets replacement<\/strong><\/p>\n With Busquets<\/a> now retired<\/a>, Miami will have “find a new No. 6″<\/em>\u00a0written clearly near the top of their offseason to-do list. That player won\u2019t play the exact same way as Busquets, of course. No one does. But finding someone to supplement Yannick Bright<\/a> is certainly a need.<\/p>\n We’ll also note the defending MLS Cup champions’ Jordi Alba<\/a> replacement is already in hand, with Spanish left back Sergio Reguil\u00f3n<\/a> formally signing in mid-December.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A new goalkeeper<\/strong><\/p>\n With Dayne St. Clair<\/a> reportedly set to exchange the Minnesota snow for Miami sunshine, the Loons<\/a> have a big ol\u2019 set of goalkeeping gloves to fill ahead of 2026. The Canadian international helped fuel an incredibly promising 2025 season en route to winning Goalkeeper of the Year<\/a>. Who will replace him?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Attacking help<\/strong><\/p>\n Montr\u00e9al<\/a> could benefit from help in several spots. But with some promising young defenders and a distinct lack of firepower at the other end, it\u2019s right to focus on the attack. With only one double-digit scorer last season (Prince Owusu<\/a>), CFMTL simply need more juice in the final third.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A side-kick for Hany Mukhtar & Sam Surridge<\/strong><\/p>\n Last year, Jacob Shaffelburg<\/a>, Alex Muyl<\/a>, Ahmed Qasem<\/a>\u00a0and Jonathan P\u00e9rez<\/a> all auditioned for the role. None of them landed it. Sending out another casting call will, undoubtedly, be near the very top of Nashville SC<\/a>\u2019s priority list this winter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Preseason to get here already<\/strong><\/p>\n Without a ton of top-end roster flexibility as currently constructed, but with a new head coach in Marko Mitrovi\u0107<\/a>, it\u2019s easy to imagine the New England Revolution<\/a> itching to get out on the grass under their new manager. The sooner new principles can be ingrained into a familiar roster, the better.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n An Alonso Mart\u00ednez replacement<\/strong><\/p>\n With Mart\u00ednez<\/a> out for most, if not all, of 2026 after rupturing his ACL<\/a> late in the year, New York City FC<\/a> will need a new starter up top to replicate the Costa Rican\u2019s production. Finding that player, of course, is easier said than done. It\u2019s the biggest thing on new sporting director Todd Dunivant<\/a>\u2019s list.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Find some possession-y players<\/strong><\/p>\n With Michael Bradley<\/a> at the helm, tasked with guiding a stylistic shift away from hyper-vertical attacking soccer and towards sustained possession soccer, Red Bull New York<\/a> need the pieces to make a new game model work. A clever wide player and a ball-progressive central midfielder would work nicely.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A new home for Luis Muriel<\/strong><\/p>\n In an incredibly competitive Eastern Conference, the Lions<\/a>\u00a0need one more top-end piece to keep pace. Finding Muriel<\/a> a new home back in his native Colombia could be just what the doctor ordered, giving the front office a prime roster spot to fill this winter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Cover for Quinn Sullivan<\/strong><\/p>\n When Sullivan<\/a> tore his ACL<\/a> late last season, the Union<\/a> lost their best central chance creator. While an aggressive, pressing game model will take center stage at Subaru Park again in 2026, finding a new attacker who can step up to the plate would be a real boost.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A great sophomore season for David Da Costa<\/strong><\/p>\n In and out of the lineup and struggling with injury for segments of 2025, Da Costa<\/a>\u2019s debut season wasn\u2019t as productive as the\u00a0Timbers<\/a> envisioned. Now that he\u2019s acclimated to a new city and his teammates, Portland fans should expect bigger and better from the No. 10 (hopefully he recovers quickly from\u00a0offseason shoulder surgery<\/a>, too).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Diego Luna to become a superstar<\/strong><\/p>\n Luna<\/a> had another good season in 2025, bagging 10 non-penalty goal contributions. But few things in MLS will resonate more than Luna starting 2026 with a bang and playing a key role for the US men\u2019s national team<\/a> at the World Cup. It\u2019s all on the table for the attacking midfielder this year.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Even more from Chucky Lozano<\/strong><\/p>\n San Diego<\/a>\u2019s marquee signing was productive last year, don\u2019t get me wrong: his 15 non-penalty goal contributions ranked second in the squad. But after being benched to end the season, there\u2019s room for Lozano<\/a> to have an even bigger impact in 2026 for one of the league\u2019s hottest teams.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Goal contributions<\/strong><\/p>\n With Josef Mart\u00ednez<\/a> reportedly gone to LIGA MX and\u00a0Cristian Espinoza<\/a> potentially gone in free agency, the Quakes<\/a> have spaces to fill in their attack. If Espinoza’s DP spot opens, Bruce Arena would have some flexibility to find either a creative No. 10 or a dynamic forward this winter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Find the starting goalkeeper<\/strong><\/p>\n Is it finally time for Stefan Frei<\/a>\u2019s time between the sticks to come to a close? Despite re-signing<\/a> earlier this offseason, Frei looked sluggish towards the end of last season. Will Andrew Thomas<\/a> or the newly signed Max Anchor<\/a> make a play for the starting job?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A clear style of play<\/strong><\/p>\n A new head coach is on the way in\u00a0Kansas City<\/a>, one who will help new chief soccer officer David Lee<\/a> usher in a clear playing style. With that style of play, SKC can double down on their recruitment efforts both now and in the transfer windows to come. That\u2019s the path back to competitiveness for Kansas City.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Make life easier for Marcel Hartel<\/strong><\/p>\n While there\u2019s a roster-wide revamp going on under new sporting leadership in St. Louis<\/a>, finding another final third difference-maker alongside Marcel Hartel<\/a> will be crucial. It\u2019s reasonable to expect this new version of St. Louis to keep more of the ball, which means they\u2019ll need another attacker comfortable changing games in tight spaces.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A top-end No. 9<\/strong><\/p>\n Djordje Mihailovic<\/a> could use a running mate in the attack, couldn\u2019t he? After arriving midseason from Colorado, Mihailovic showed moments of brilliance in\u00a0Toronto<\/a>. But he\u2019ll shine even brighter for a reloading team when he has a multi-faceted striker to play off of.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The band to stay together<\/strong><\/p>\n With a slew of players who performed at a perhaps unexpectedly high level en route to playing in MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi earlier this month, there will be new contract requests and interest from other clubs when it comes to several of the \u2018Caps<\/a> most important players. But if the band stays together \u2013 at least for the most part \u2013 more success could follow in 2026.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n