World Cup

MLS back in action after World Cup 2026 hiatus: what

16 August 2026·7 min read·Adrián Gómez
MLS back in action after World Cup 2026 hiatus: what

Between the semifinals and final of the 2026 World Cup, Major League Soccer (MLS) kicks off again after a nearly two-month break, with the first flurry of matches on Thursday and Friday. In the heat of futbol sa

MLS balik-aksiyon matapos pahinga sa World Cup 2026: ano

Ayon sa News.

Konteksto

Si Lionel Messi, na kasalukuyang naglalaro para sa Inter Miami, ay isa sa mga pangunahing bituin ng MLS at inaasahang magdadala ng malaking atensyon sa liga sa kanyang pagbabalik. Ang kanyang presensya, kasama ang iba pang mga bituin tulad nina Robert Lewandowski at Antoine Griezmann, ay nagiging dahilan upang mas maging tanyag ang MLS sa mga tagahanga ng football sa buong mundo.

Why it matters

The return of MLS after the break for the World Cup 2026 is important not only for local fans but also for players like Lionel Messi, who have brought a lot of attention to the league. New faces like Antoine Griezmann and Robert Lewandowski bring more excitement and quality to MLS football, making it even more attractive to followers. These comeback matches could set the tone for the rest of the season.

Key Points

  • MLS returns to action after World Cup 2026 break: what.
  • MLS returns after a nearly two-month hiatus in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.
  • MLS returns from its World Cup break: What to watch, the new stars and where the league left off - The Athletic.
Between the semifinals and final of the 2026 World Cup, Major League Soccer (MLS) kicks off again after a nearly two-month break, with the first flurry of matches on Thursday and Friday. With futbol heating up in North America this summer, many fans are likely focused on the Mundial—so here's a quick guide to where we left MLS, who the new faces are, and what matches to focus on first. Where did the league last stop? • East: Nashville SC leads the Eastern Conference and the race for the Supporters' Shield with 33 points from 14 games, even with a game in hand over Inter Miami. The combination of free-agent winger Cristian Espinoza's offense with Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge is very smooth, and is expected to be strengthened by the arrival of Tunisia World Cup winger Elias Saad from Augsburg (reportedly coming this summer). The Chicago Fire—boosted by the arrival of Polish legend Robert Lewandowski—are in third place, while the New England Revolution are fourth, a big surprise under first-year coach Marko Mitrović. • West: The Vancouver Whitecaps hold the top spot, unsurprisingly after reaching the MLS Cup final last winter. Even without Ryan Gauld often due to injury, Thomas Müller, Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White are still pulling. Following them in points are the San Jose Earthquakes—a big surprise—led by Bruce Arena and with big-name striker Timo Werner. Also coming up hot are Real Salt Lake (third) with an attractive style of play, and FC Dallas (fourth) with highly regarded Croatian World Cup forward Petar Musa. Meanwhile, even though LAFC and Seattle Sounders are above the playoff line, they are noticeably not in the top-four rhythm. One of the oddest records this year: Son Heung-min has yet to score a league goal for LAFC, though has nine assists—a league-high. In contrast, the Philadelphia Union are now at the bottom after their stunning win in the Supporters' Shield last year. Well, there have been seven coaching changes since the beginning of the season. New star coming • Antoine Griezmann (Orlando City): Has scored in friendlies and is set to make his official debut. He will be the center of Orlando's attack that is chasing the playoff line. Duncan McGuire has transferred to Houston and is finalizing the free agent return of Daryl Dike, according to reports. • Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire): After leaving Barcelona, ​​the 38-year-old striker has joined the Fire. He was still productive last season in Europe and will now team up with Golden Boot leader Hugo Cuypers—how they mesh in the system will be crucial. • Casemiro (Inter Miami): Not yet official but expected to move to Miami after Brazil's World Cup campaign. He will take over the role left by Sergio Busquets and join Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame. • Allan Saint-Maximin (Charlotte FC): Coming off a successful half-season in Lens, will add to Charlotte's unpredictability and speed. He will replace the place left by Wilfried Zaha. • Brais Méndez (Columbus Crew): From Real Sociedad, heavy reinforcement in the middle—known for productive seasons in La Liga. • Bénie Traoré (NYCFC): Former Basel winger from Côte d'Ivoire, natural on the wing but capable in the middle—perfect replacement pending Alonso Martínez's return.
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First comeback matches • CF Montréal vs Toronto FC is the first match before the World Cup final. • Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps: a possible debut for Lewandowski and a reunion with Thomas Müller. Added consolation: Fire coach Gregg Berhalter will face his son Sebastian in the Whitecaps. • St. Louis City vs Sporting Kansas City, followed by the Cascadia rivalry: Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers, who are looking for a new coach after parting ways with Phil Neville in May. • Friday: Nashville SC vs Atlanta United, and El Tráfico—LA Galaxy vs LAFC—on national television. Most watched • New York Red Bulls: Young core (Adri Mehmeti, Julian Hall, Ronald Donkor, Matty Dos Santos), and attack-first style under Michael Bradley; Emil Forsberg also has a star. • Houston Dynamo: Possession-based and aggressive; production is expected to increase due to the services of Mateusz Bogusz and Jack McGlynn to McGuire. • Colorado Rapids: Strong attack in exchange for risk in defense; with young talent like Lucas Herrington and Paxten Aaronson. • LAFC: Although conservative at times, Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga are there. • Inter Miami: Don't make it complicated—Messi and De Paul, depending on their return after the final. MLS All-Stars in Charlotte The All-Star festivities return in late July, featuring the MLS selection against the stars of Liga MX. The two teams have a World Cup flavor: for MLS, with Berhalter, Tim Ream, Matt Freese and Max Arfsten, and some who participated in the Mundial such as Messi and De Paul (Argentina), Musa (Croatia), Herrington (Australia), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa), Maxime Crépeau and Richie Laryea (Canada), and Steven Moreira (Cape Verde). In short: the board is in shape, the names are coming up, and the fights are imminent. It's time again for MLS.
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Ano ang susunod

Sa mga susunod na linggo, inaasahang magiging mas masigla ang kompetisyon sa MLS habang ang mga koponan ay nag-aagawan sa mga puwesto sa playoffs. Ang mga laban sa Huwebes at Biyernes ay magiging pagkakataon para sa mga koponan tulad ng Nashville SC at Vancouver Whitecaps na ipakita ang kanilang lakas. Ang pagpasok ng mga bagong manlalaro, kabilang ang mga mula sa World Cup, ay tiyak na magdadala ng bagong dinamika sa liga.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ano ang nangyari sa MLS matapos ang pahinga?

Muling sisipa ang Major League Soccer (MLS) matapos ang halos dalawang buwang pahinga sa pagitan ng semifinals at final ng World Cup 2026.

Sino ang mga bagong bituin na dapat abangan sa MLS?

Ilan sa mga bagong bituin na dapat abangan ay sina Elias Saad mula Augsburg at Robert Lewandowski na pinalakas ang Chicago Fire.

Bakit ngayon ang tamang panahon para muling simulan ang MLS?

Ngayon ang tamang panahon para muling simulan ang MLS dahil sa pagwawakas ng World Cup 2026 semifinals at final, na nagbigay-daan sa liga na muling bumalik sa aksyon.

Anong mga pagbabago ang naganap sa mga koponan?

Nagkaroon ng mga pagbabago sa mga koponan tulad ng pagpasok ni Elias Saad sa Nashville SC at ang pagdating ni Robert Lewandowski sa Chicago Fire.

Ano ang mga laban na dapat tutukan sa pagbabalik ng MLS?

Ang mga unang laban sa pagbabalik ng MLS ay nakatakdang maganap sa Huwebes at Biyernes, na dapat abangan ng mga fans.

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Mga Madalas na Itanong

Ano ang nangyari sa MLS matapos ang pahinga?
Muling sisipa ang Major League Soccer (MLS) matapos ang halos dalawang buwang pahinga sa pagitan ng semifinals at final ng World Cup 2026.
Sino ang mga bagong bituin na dapat abangan sa MLS?
Ilan sa mga bagong bituin na dapat abangan ay sina Elias Saad mula Augsburg at Robert Lewandowski na pinalakas ang Chicago Fire.
Bakit ngayon ang tamang panahon para muling simulan ang MLS?
Ngayon ang tamang panahon para muling simulan ang MLS dahil sa pagwawakas ng World Cup 2026 semifinals at final, na nagbigay-daan sa liga na muling bumalik sa aksyon.
Anong mga pagbabago ang naganap sa mga koponan?
Nagkaroon ng mga pagbabago sa mga koponan tulad ng pagpasok ni Elias Saad sa Nashville SC at ang pagdating ni Robert Lewandowski sa Chicago Fire.
Ano ang mga laban na dapat tutukan sa pagbabalik ng MLS?
Ang mga unang laban sa pagbabalik ng MLS ay nakatakdang maganap sa Huwebes at Biyernes, na dapat abangan ng mga fans.
What happened in this story?
MLS balik-aksiyon matapos pahinga sa World Cup 2026: ano summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.
World Cup 2026MLSNashville SCInter MiamiChicago FireVancouver WhitecapsSan Jose EarthquakesReal Salt LakeFC DallasOrlando CityCharlotte FCColumbus Crew

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