Soccer <\/p>\n
It\u2019s here, people! MLS preseason, that is.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Across the league, players are reporting for duty ahead of the 2026 campaign. That means we\u2019re not only getting closer to seeing how new coaches structure their teams and which signings come good, but also MLS is Back weekend on Feb. 21.<\/p>\n
Which questions are dominating discussions around the league? Let\u2019s dig into 10 of the absolute biggest ones.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Perhaps the writing was on the wall for Chucky Lozano<\/a> and San Diego FC<\/a> from the moment the Mexican star was subbed off at halftime against Houston Dynamo FC<\/a> late last season. Lozano, the club\u2019s first-ever Designated Player signing, didn\u2019t start any of the then-expansion team’s games from that point forward after a reported<\/a> locker room altercation.<\/p>\n Now? It doesn\u2019t look like Lozano will be brought back into the fold.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have communicated with Hirving and his representatives that he will not be part of the sporting plans moving forward,\u201d sporting director and general manager Tyler Heaps said last week<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201c \u2026 So we\u2019re working with him and his representatives to find the best solution and the best environment for him moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Where will Lozano land? And will San Diego sign a new Designated Player to replace his production alongside Anders Dreyer<\/a>? The second-year outfit has questions to answer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd BREAKING: San Diego FC sporting director Tyler Heaps says club-record signing Chucky Lozano is not in the clubs plans for 2026.<\/p>\n Heaps told media today including @SanDiego_Futbol<\/a> that decision is sporting + playing time.<\/p>\n Lozano one of highest paid players in MLS. pic.twitter.com\/OmTFEcBymR<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n After general manager Jason Hernandez went on the record saying<\/a> that Toronto FC<\/a> are seeking a DP striker, it seems they might have found their man. A recent report from Fabrizio Romano said Toronto submitted an $18 million bid to Norwich City for US men\u2019s national team<\/a> striker Josh Sargent<\/a>.<\/p>\n Say what you want about the fee \u2013 I think it’s hefty \u2013 but there\u2019s little doubt that the 25-year-old will be an effective No. 9 in MLS. Even on an inconsistent English Championship team, he\u2019s still managed at least 13 non-penalty goals and largely good underlying numbers in each of the last three seasons. Plus, with Djordje Mihailovic<\/a> underneath him, Sargent would be positioned for success.<\/p>\n If Toronto land Sargent, they\u2019ll increase their threat level in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \ud83d\udea8\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 EXCL: Toronto FC send official bid to Norwich for Josh Sargent worth $18m fee.<\/p>\n Negotiations underway as #NCFC<\/a> are in talks over deal details. Sargent could head to the MLS soon. pic.twitter.com\/O5pLqlLBE5<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n It sure seems like it\u2019s a matter of \u2018when\u2019 rather than \u2018if.’\u00a0<\/p>\n Right now, Inter Miami<\/a> don\u2019t have the flexibility to sign a third DP without offloading at least one of their four U22 Initiative players. But if, say, Tom\u00e1s Avil\u00e9s<\/a> follows in the footsteps of Federico Redondo<\/a> (somewhere abroad), then there will be room for ownership to splash on another headlining star.\u00a0<\/p>\n If Inter Miami truly want to go all-in on the 2026 Concacaf Championship Cup<\/a>, then this winter window would be the optimal time to bolster the squad. If they want to accumulate a bit more allocation money and sign a player after the European season is finished in the summer, waiting until the next window would be prudent.<\/p>\n Only time will tell which big-name signing joins DPs Lionel Messi<\/a> and Rodrigo De Paul<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n \n
\n