Soccer <\/p>\n
MLS games are nearly back after the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>. So, let’s get caught up on every team in the Eastern Conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which clubs have exceeded expectations? Which ones haven\u2019t reached them? Which stars are must-watch? And what comes next for these 15 teams?<\/p>\n Onwards.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong> 14th in East, 11 points (3W-9L-2D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Below<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> Head coach Tata Martino made clear this was going to be a multi-year rebuild for the\u00a0Five Stripes<\/a>. So far? He looks right. With underperforming Designated Players and issues on both sides of the pitch, there\u2019s plenty of work to do.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Alexey Miranchuk<\/a>. While he hasn\u2019t lived up to his price tag since arriving from the Italian Serie A, he\u2019s still the most likely Atlanta United player to produce a moment of magic.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> Sitting seven points below the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs line, it’s not an easy road to contention. Still, there should be ample opportunities for young players like Cooper Sanchez<\/a>, Tom\u00e1s Jacob<\/a>\u00a0and El\u00edas B\u00e1ez<\/a> down the stretch. Also, we could see even further roster changes this summer.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 17 at Nashville SC – 8:10 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a>, FOX<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong>\u00a06th in East, 21 points (6W-6L-3D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Met<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> Bank of America Stadium remains a fortress for Charlotte FC<\/a>. The away results haven\u2019t come quite as easily. But at sixth in the East, there\u2019s a solid foundation in place.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Pep Biel<\/a> remains one of the best attacking midfielders in MLS. The Spaniard has a team-leading seven goals at the break, which pair nicely with a team-leading six assists.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> Biel is going to get some help. With Allan Saint-Maximin reportedly<\/a> headed to Charlotte to replace Wilfried Zaha, and the chance to add more players in the summer transfer window, head coach Dean Smith will have more attacking talent than ever at his disposal.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 vs. Atlanta United – 8:15 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a>, FS1<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong> 3rd in East, 26 points (8W-4L-2D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Met<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> After a turnaround season in 2025 sparked by Gregg Berhalter\u2019s arrival as head coach and director of football, 2026 has featured an expected step forward. With Hugo Cuypers<\/a> leading the Golden Boot presented by Audi race (13 goals) and talent in every line behind him, Chicago<\/a> look on track to push for silverware.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Robert Lewandowski<\/a>, come on down! The former Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona striker signed<\/a> late last month, immediately becoming one of the most talented players on the continent. How the Polish superstar functions with Cuypers, though, is a question mark.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> Chicago may have more moves coming down the pipeline in the summer transfer window, and they\u2019ll get Andr\u00e9 Franco<\/a> back healthy. The Fire look scary<\/em>.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 16 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 8:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong> 7th in East, 20 points (5W-5L-5D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Below<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> The start of 2026? Not good for Cincinnati<\/a>, who won just two of their first nine games. The rest of the pre-World Cup campaign? Pretty solid for Cincinnati, who picked up 11 points over six games, got healthier and saw their attack start to click.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Evander<\/a> demands your attention. With his free-kick prowess, open-play creation and scoring threat, the Brazilian No. 10 remains one of the absolute brightest stars in MLS.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> While FC Cincinnati could improve around the edges in the summer window, their best hopes of climbing towards the top of the East rest on star center backs Miles Robinson<\/a> and Matt Miazga<\/a> being healthy and available. If that\u2019s the case, this team could surge towards a trophy.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong>\u00a010th in East, 16 points (4W-7L-4D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Below<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> The post-Wilfried Nancy era hasn\u2019t been smooth for the Crew<\/a>. Henrik Rydstr\u00f6m was relieved of his duties<\/a> before the World Cup break, Wessam Abou Ali<\/a> went down with a major injury<\/a>, and now Diego Rossi is off to CF Monterrey<\/a>. Columbus are sitting below the playoff line, but certainly not out of contention.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> A member of the USMNT<\/a> at the World Cup,\u00a0Max Arfsten<\/a> is the creative hub for the Crew. The clever wingback led the team in goal contributions (4g\/4a) before the break.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong>\u00a0A squad refresh, first and foremost. While Rossi\u2019s replacement, DP Brais M\u00e9ndez<\/a>, has already\u00a0arrived<\/a> from LaLiga, the additions likely won’t stop there. Under interim coach Laurent Courtois, a tactical reset is taking place as well.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 vs. New York City FC – 7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong>\u00a09th in East, 18 points (4W-5L-6D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Met<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> Following a busy offseason that saw D.C.<\/a> load up on reliable veterans from MLS and abroad, there\u2019s been natural improvement. They’re ninth in the East, and holding onto a playoff spot isn\u2019t out of the question.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Tai Baribo<\/a>, acquired<\/a> over the winter as one of those veterans, continues to score goals for fun. The DP striker has eight goals this year and could be even more effective when playing alongside fellow DP Louis Munteanu<\/a> for a consistent stretch.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> D.C. will continue to play their direct, aggressive style under head coach Ren\u00e9 Weiler, though they\u2019ll also try to infuse a bit more creativity. Whether that comes via the transfer market or some tactical tweaks remains to be seen.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong>\u00a0July 22 at Houston Dynamo FC – 8:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Record:<\/strong>\u00a02nd in East, 31 points (9W-2L-4D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Below<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> By most any definition, Inter Miami<\/a>\u2019s year has been successful so far. They\u2019re second in the East and fourth in the Supporters\u2019 Shield race. But for Miami, anything but being the best is falling short. Javier Mascherano left his managerial post<\/a> in April, and the team bowed out of the Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> in the Round of 16. There\u2019s been plenty of good, but not quite enough great for the defending MLS Cup champions.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Do I even need to say it? Lionel Messi<\/a> has been the best player at the World Cup and he\u2019s starring for Inter Miami. He\u2019ll likely win a deserved third-straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award this winter.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong>\u00a0Speaking of World Cup stars, Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro is reportedly<\/a> joining the fold from Manchester United. In other words, the rich are getting richer.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 vs. Chicago Fire FC – 7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong>\u00a011th in East, 14 points (4W-8L-2D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Met<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> After starting the year on a long away trip, Montr\u00e9al parted ways with<\/a> head coach Marco Donadel. They’ve since enjoyed a home stint, earning 11 points from seven games. Between the luxury of playing in front of familiar faces and interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy returning to a more zonal defensive approach, things have stabilized in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Prince Owusu<\/a> might be the most underrated player in MLS. With 9g\/5a in 14 games, he\u2019s on pace for his second double-digit scoring season in as many seasons for Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> Building chemistry within Eullaffroy\u2019s new tactical setup and sorting out the attacking personnel best suited to help Owusu thrive are both crucial items on Montr\u00e9al\u2019s to-do list. Nail both of those things, and this team could climb above the playoff line.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 16 vs. Toronto FC – 7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong>\u00a01st in East, 33 points (10W-1L-3D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Exceeded<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> Leading the Supporters’ Shield race? Check. The first MLS team to win at Estadio Azteca? Check. Making it deeper in Concacaf Champions Cup play than any team in the league outside of LAFC<\/a>? Check. After a brilliant offseason that saw Cristian Espinoza<\/a> join the fold, life has been great for Nashville SC<\/a>.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> The undisputed best player in club history, Hany Mukhtar<\/a> continues to perform at an elite level. The attacker has 11 goal contributions (6g\/5a) in MLS play, putting him on track to notch at least 20 for the fifth time in his Nashville career.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> Without any glaring holes in the squad, Nashville will simply hope that head coach B.J. Callaghan has access to a healthy group of starters. Star striker Sam Surridge<\/a>, central midfielder Patrick Yazbek<\/a>\u00a0and others have been limited by injuries this year.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 17 vs. Atlanta United – 8:10 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a>, FOX<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong> 4th in East, 25 points (8W-5L-1D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Exceeded<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> Raise your hand if you predicted that the Revolution<\/a> would win seven of their final 10 games before the break. Crickets?<\/em> That\u2019s what I thought. One of the best unexpected stories this year, New England have combined elite goalkeeping from Matt Turner<\/a> with a balanced team to surge into fourth in the East.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> New England hope to re-acquire star goalkeeper Turner from Lyon. In the meantime, you won\u2019t find many better passers of the ball than Carles Gil<\/a>. The Spanish attacking midfielder is the lifeblood of New England\u2019s final-third play.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> Should the Revs add more star power in the attack next to Gil, it\u2019s easy to imagine they’ll maintain their status as one of the league\u2019s best teams. Even if not, there might be internal improvement on the cards from Luca Langoni<\/a>, Dor Turgeman<\/a> and Peyton Miller<\/a>.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 vs. Toronto FC – 7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong>\u00a05th in East, 22 points (6W-5L-4D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Exceeded<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> There have been few better performances in MLS this season than Red Bull New York<\/a>\u2019s opening-weekend win<\/a> at Orlando City<\/a>. On that evening, RBNY announced themselves as a team that demands to be taken seriously. Led by new head coach Michael Bradley and several young stars, the Red Bulls have been must-watch all season. They\u2019re fifth in the East for a reason.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> He\u2019s not going to put up goals and assists, but defensive midfielder Adri Mehmeti<\/a> has been incredible. The 17-year-old has started every game for the Red Bulls and has suitors lining up from across the pond. We’d be remiss not to shout out his fellow homegrown standout, 18-year-old forward Julian Hall<\/a>. He was recently named an All-Star<\/a> and has a team-high 9g\/4a.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> With more defensive solidity, the Red Bulls could push for a trophy this winter. That said, a healthy backline and summertime signings are musts.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 at Philadelphia Union – 7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong> 8th in East, 19 points (5W-6L-4D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Met<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> With star striker Alonso Mart\u00ednez<\/a> out with an ACL injury<\/a> and no replacement signed in the winter, onlookers knew the start of this year would be tough for NYCFC<\/a>. Maxi Moralez<\/a>\u2019s ACL injury<\/a> has only made things more difficult. Still, with enough attacking threat to keep opponents honest and an experienced spine, head coach Pascal Jansen\u2019s team is a respectable eighth in the East.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Nicol\u00e1s Fern\u00e1ndez Mercau<\/a> has, on more than one occasion, been NYCFC’s saving grace. The Argentine has been drafted into playing as a false nine because he\u2019s exactly the sort of multi-dimensional playmaker who gives defenses headaches.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> New DP forward\u00a0B\u00e9nie Traor\u00e9<\/a>, signed<\/a> from Swiss club FC Basel in the summer window, has arrived to help reinforce the attack. If Traor\u00e9, Fern\u00e1ndez and the rest of NYCFC’s forward pieces gel, this team could shoot up the standings.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 at Columbus Crew – 7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong> 12th in East, 14 points (4W-9L-2D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Below<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> Orlando City allowed at least four goals in four of their first six games of the year. That, folks, paints a pretty clear picture of why they moved on from longtime coach Oscar Pareja<\/a> and tried to steady the ship before a certain French legend arrived\u2026<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Antoine Griezmann<\/a> is here! The French national team legend\u00a0joins from<\/a> LaLiga powerhouse Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, and there\u2019s every reason to expect that he\u2019ll be one of the biggest stars in MLS.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> Some help is needed along the backline, and there\u2019s chemistry to be built among Griezmann, Mart\u00edn Ojeda<\/a> and Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a>. Whether it\u2019s interim manager Mart\u00edn Perelman or a new coach at the helm, Orlando will hope to have the horses to climb up the table.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 at San Jose Earthquakes – 10:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong>\u00a015th in East, 7 points (1W-10L-4D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Far below<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> Things happen fast<\/em> in MLS. Just last year, the Philadelphia Union<\/a> won the Supporters\u2019 Shield as the best team in the regular season. Now, at the World Cup break, they\u2019re at the bottom of the table with just seven points through 15 games. After an offseason that saw key players depart, there\u2019s also a sporting shakeup<\/a>: head coach Bradley Carnell is out, and there\u2019s a new front office chief at the helm.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Milan Iloski<\/a> has been a thorn in the side of MLS defenses ever since he arrived in Philadelphia midway through last season. He has a team-leading seven goals in league play.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next:<\/strong> With a bottom-five attack based on goals scored (18) at this point in the season, the Union will hope to find more attacking creativity. Perhaps teenage starlet\u00a0Cavan Sullivan<\/a> will be the one to provide it. His brother, Quinn<\/a>, should also soon return from a long-term injury to help matters.<\/p>\n Restart:<\/strong> July 22 vs. Red Bull New York – 7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Standings:<\/strong>\u00a013th in East, 14 points (3W-6L-5D)<\/p>\n Expectations:<\/strong> Met, mostly<\/p>\n Season in a nutshell:<\/strong> Week after week, Toronto FC<\/a> have had the longest injury list in MLS. Robin Fraser hasn\u2019t had the chance to regularly work with his full squad yet. Still, in a retooling season, the roster has clearly taken several crucial steps forward.<\/p>\n Star to watch:<\/strong> Josh Sargent<\/a> arrived earlier this year for one of the largest transfer fees in league history, reportedly<\/a> up to $27 million with add-ons. The USMNT striker is averaging two-thirds of a goal contribution every 90 minutes and hasn\u2019t even had the chance to play a real run of games alongside playmaker Djordje Mihailovic<\/a>.<\/p>\n