The 2025 MLS season is dead. Long live 2026!

With the 30th MLS Cup in the books , it's again time to unleash our way-too-early contenders for next year’s crown. This time, instead of limiting ourselves to five and a darkhorse candidate, I’ve felt the need to expand the list a bit since as many as eight teams have truly compelling cases to be standing in the winner’s circle 12 months from now.

A caveat: I have predicted four of the past seven Supporters’ Shield winners. I have, however, predicted only two of the past seven MLS Cup winners (including this year’s champions, Inter Miami CF ). Calling this thing correctly a year ahead of time is tough, tough work, so take the below with a big old grain of salt. Honorable Mentions

There are three teams outside the top five that I had to

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