The 2026 MLS preseason is still in its early stages, but it has already left a trail of decisions that help explain how the league is reorganizing from the inside. This isn’t about who grabbed the most headlines or who has spent the most money so far, but about how each club has responded to its own limits. Some chose to tighten areas where they were already strong, others were pushed into action by unexpected problems, and a few clearly decided to change their approach. It’s within this set of choices that the most relevant stories of the winter have emerged.
Inter Miami chooses not to wait for the wear and tear of success
Winning the MLS Cup often leads to complacency. With Inter Miami, the opposite happened. The club treated the title as a starting point and went straight to the area that raised the most concern. Defense became the priority, and the arrivals of Dayne St. Clair and Micael address that directly.
Jordi Alba’s departure required an experienced solution, and Sergio Reguilón fills that role. There are still clear questions around the roster, especially in the position once held by Sergio Busquets and the third Designated Player spot, but what stands out is the approach. The Herons’ moves show the club didn’t view the title as an endpoint, but as a base to fix obvious roster issues and push further into the new season.
Galaxy is forced to choose between identity and necessity
For LA Galaxy, the preseason began with little room for optimism. Riqui Puig’s new surgery once again removes the team’s main organizer. The difference compared to last year is that the club now faces a concrete decision. The Designated Player slot opens the door to a structural change. With Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil already on the roster and defensive reinforcements confirmed, the lack of a defined center forward is becoming more pressing. Without Puig, the Galaxy lose technical control, but could gain balance if they make good use of the regulatory flexibility that has emerged. It’s not a comfortable choice, but a mandatory one, unlike last season.
DC United takes on risk and changes its own pattern
DC United focused a significant part of its preseason moves on signings involving high fees by the club’s recent standards. Louis Munteanu arrives as the most expensive player in DC history, with a deal that could reach $10 million, and takes up a Designated Player spot. The move for Tai Baribo expands the team’s attacking options, while the additions of Sean Nealis and Sean Johnson address defensive and roster needs. Under Erkut Sogut’s direction, the club enters 2026 with a group that looks significantly different from the one that finished the previous season.
The preseason is still far from over, but the decisions made so far are already drawing a clear line. Some clubs are trying to lock in an advantage, others are scrambling to avoid falling behind, and a few are taking risks they once avoided. The standings will provide the final answer later. For now, the offseason has already shown who understands the moment the league is in and who is still trying to catch up.