The MLS offseason has been a quick one, as MLS Cup was barely a month ago when Inter Miami lifted the trophy for the first time in its club history. Players and coaches are now returning to the training grounds to begin preparing for another long season ahead.
From a big injury in LA, to Inter Miami’s rebuild, and some coaching changes around the league, here are some of the bigger stories to discuss heading into preseason camps.
Riqui Puig’s injury
The big story so far this winter has to be out of LA. The Galaxy had high hopes that 2026 could be more of a 2024 season for them after losing Riqui Puig to injury in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. But as the calendar was turning toward 2026, the news broke that Puig would need to have surgery again on the same knee that kept him out of 2025.
Just like in 2025, the Galaxy now have a massive decision to make. Do they place Puig on the season-ending injury list to help open up a Designated Player slot? Or do they run the risk of holding on to Puig’s roster spot, with the hopes that he could make an return during the regular season (similar to what FC Dallas did in 2024 with Alan Velasco)?
It is a bold move either way, and one that will be worth keeping an eye on. They’ve already begun retooling their defense with Jakob Glesnes and Justin Haak. My gut tells me they may try again with keeping Puig off the SEI list.
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Miami’s reload
If winning MLS Cup in 2025 wasn’t enough for the Herons, Inter Miami has been super active this offseason. Yes, they lost Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to retirement. They may also lose out on retaining Tadeo Allende, though there are reports that he could be staying put.
But Miami has gone out and added some big pieces for their title defense - and more importantly - their hope of a Concacaf Champions Cup title. Their defense is going to be stout after adding reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair in free agency, former LaLiga and Premier League left back Sergio Reguilón and former Houston Dynamo defender Micael from Palmeiras. If the Triston Blackmon rumors have any truth to them (which apparently they don’t right now), that would make them even more unstoppable.
They also have an open DP slot to fill. Not to mention, they still have a two-time MLS MVP in Lionel Messi on the roster.
If you are curious as to exactly how Miami is able to do all of this under a salary cap, our good friend Arman Kafai has an excellent explainer.
Coaching hires
With MLS at 30 teams, the coaching carousel only gets bigger each season. In total, there are eight new head coaches going into the new season.
- Michael Bradley with the New York Red Bulls
- Matt Wells with the Colorado Rapids
- Marko Mitrović with the New England Revolution
- Henrik Rydström with the Columbus Crew
- Yoann Damet with St. Louis CITY SC
- Raphaël Wicky with Sporting Kansas City
- Tata Martino with Atlanta United
- Marc Dos Santos with LAFC
Wacky, Martino and Dos Santos all have prior MLS experience. I’d imagine LAFC will transition fine under Dos Santos, but I don’t see Atlanta or Sporting progressing that much in year one under their new bosses. And yes, I know Martino led Atlanta to a MLS Cup title a few years back, but I don’t see them as a true contender just yet.
The one that jumps out to me the most may be Michael Bradley in New York. The path for him as a young player with the club when they were the MetroStars, to Europe, back to MLS and then as a coach in MLS NEXT Pro. I think that is the pathway MLS execs are excited to see happen more often as the league continues to grow.
I’m sure some fans in Kansas City or even in Columbus are wishing they could have landed Wilfred Nancy after his short stay in Scotland with Celtic.
One club that could go for Nancy (if he were to return to MLS this quickly), is Minnesota. The Loons saw head coach Eric Ramsey take a job at West Brom yesterday, leaving Minnesota to find a new manager just days before preseason camp begins.
Don’t miss out: 2026 is here and with that we need your support more than ever! By upgrading your subscription, you are allowing local independent media to continue to go out and cover the team you support.
