MLS Executives Survey 2026: Miami Reigns Supreme

Major League Soccer's annual anonymous survey of team executives has spoken, and the message is clear: Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, is the team to beat in 2026. The survey of 22 chief soccer officers, general managers, technical directors and sporting directors reveals overwhelming confidence in Miami's ability to repeat as MLS champions.

Club Rankings and Predictions

The majority of executives believe Miami and Lionel Messi will win a second consecutive MLS Cup. "With the (Germán) Berterame signing and Micael coming in to sort out the issues," one executive said, "whatever issues you think they had in the back, it's hard to see anyone being able to outlast Miami this year."

LAFC, which soundly beat Miami to open the season, was another popular favorite, though executives noted the caveat of whether the club can hold onto striker Denis Bouanga. Seattle Sounders received two votes, continuing to garner respect in front offices despite not being championship favorites.

Best Player Rankings

With Messi and Son considered in their own tier, the competition for best non-Messi/Son player was a two-horse race between LAFC's Denis Bouanga and FC Cincinnati's Evander. Bouanga ultimately won out, with executives praising his power, speed, and ability to cause problems for defenses.

"He's powerful. He's fast. He causes problems for defenses, for sure," one CSO said of Bouanga. Evander also received significant praise: "That guy is filthy, man," said another executive.

Top Goalkeepers and Defenders

Miami's newly minted signing and reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Kahlina took the nod over Bürki, who CSOs picked in 2025. However, one executive expressed concern about the league's goalkeeper quality overall: "I feel, bizarrely, that it's not a very good time in our league for goalkeepers."

On defense, executives showed limited confidence in their picks. "We need to get some better defenders in this league," one exec said. The trade of Jakob Glesnes to the LA Galaxy earned praise: "That was a great move," one CSO said.

Best Value Contracts and Emerging Talent

Sebastian Berhalter made MLS Best XI last season on just $385,000—a bargain that impressed multiple executives. However, they noted his contract negotiations will likely disqualify him from future value categories.

Emerging talents like David Gozo from Real Salt Lake received attention, with one CSO noting he's "already attracting interest from Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid." Other young players like Simon Bombino, Luca Koleosho, and Brian White also earned mentions.

Coaching and Front Office Excellence

Vanni Sartini's work with the Vancouver Whitecaps earned him recognition as the best coach, with executives praising his quick turnaround and success in multiple competitions. "For the body of work he did last year, and in multiple competitions," one GM said.

Mikey Varas of San Diego FC was identified as the coach most likely to have a breakout 2026 season. "He had an MLS Next Pro guy at right back playing for the first time … and they blew out Pumas," one CSO said.

Facilities and Infrastructure

FC Cincinnati's TQL Stadium emerged as a clear favorite, with executives praising its facilities, field quality, and fan experience. LAFC's BMO Stadium was the top choice in the Western Conference.

Atlanta United's training facility, after a $25 million expansion, ran away with the best training facility category. "Atlanta's is pretty incredible," a CSO claimed.

On the negative side, Audi Field received criticism for its design and field quality. "It's so f***ing bad," one CSO said. BC Place in Vancouver and Gillette Stadium in New England were identified as the worst venues, with executives citing turf quality and stadium size issues.

Best Sporting Director Positions

LAFC's John Thorrington was overwhelmingly voted as having the best sporting director position. "A great balance of city, investment from ownership and a little bit of glamor," one CSO said. "With LAFC you're just dealt such an incredible hand in that seat."

Other highly-rated positions included FC Cincinnati, San Diego FC, and NYCFC, with executives noting that NYCFC's position will improve significantly when their new stadium opens in Queens.

Insider Insights on Executive Moves

The survey revealed admiration for Sporting Kansas City's move to sign Peter Vermes Jr. from Austin FC. "It's a big deal, I think," one CSO said. Columbus Crew's move to replace Wilfried Nancy with Oscar Rydström also gained momentum, with executives praising the strategic thinking behind the hire.

Overall League Outlook

The survey paints a picture of a league in transition, with clear hierarchies emerging both on and off the field. While Miami dominates current projections, executives expressed confidence in several organizations' ability to build competitive teams and develop talent.

As one CSO noted about LAFC's consistency: "They've been so good since Day 1," highlighting how some organizations have managed to maintain excellence despite MLS's competitive balance mechanisms.