Biggest MLS contenders after the World Cup break
Major League Soccer returns from the World Cup break as analysts evaluate title contenders and potential new star signings.
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The brief
MLS is resuming play following the World Cup break. Coverage focuses on identifying the league's top contenders and evaluating the performance of all 30 teams during the first half of the year.
Reports from MLSsoccer.com, Backheeled, and Soccer Laduma emphasize team evaluations, including what has gone right or wrong for clubs across both conferences. Soccer Laduma specifically highlights stars such as Messi and Mbokazi as key players to watch upon the league's return.
Attention now turns to the potential arrival of new talent, as Sports Illustrated identifies five World Cup stars who could join the league.
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Quick answers
Which players are highlighted as stars to watch?
According to Soccer Laduma, Messi and Mbokazi are among the stars to watch as MLS returns.
What is the focus of the team evaluations?
Coverage from Backheeled and MLSsoccer.com includes evaluations of every club's season, including what has gone right and wrong for all 30 teams.
Are new players expected to join the league?
Sports Illustrated reports there are five 2026 World Cup stars who could potentially join MLS.
Coverage (5)
- Eastern Conference: Evaluating every club's season & what’s next MLSsoccer.com · 22h ago broke it first
- Mbokazi And Messi Among Stars To Watch As MLS Returns Soccer Laduma · 22h ago
- Five 2026 World Cup Stars That Could Join MLS Sports Illustrated · 22h ago
- MLS is back: What’s gone right, wrong for all 30 teams so far this year Backheeled · 22h ago
- Biggest MLS contenders after the World Cup break MLSsoccer.com · 22h ago broke it first
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