MLS Offseason Shakeup: The Five Game-Changing Signings That Will Define 2026
The 2026 MLS campaign is almost upon us, and each club across the league will present a fresh look compared to how they appeared when the curtain fell on the league's milestone 30th season in 2025.
For certain players, this represents comebacks to the league at new phases of their professional journeys, while for others, joining America's premier soccer division brings aspirations of pursuing MLS Cup glory, the Concacaf Champions Cup, and additional silverware available in 2026.
With the World Cup rapidly approaching, football's premier global competition also influenced several transfer decisions made by MLS franchises during this winter window.
In this piece, Sports Illustrated evaluates the five most significant incoming transfers before the 2026 campaign, which begins on Feb. 1, featuring Inter Miami's showdown against LAFC.
5. Facundo Torres—Austin FC
Facundo Torres established himself as one of MLS's elite performers from 2022 to 2025 during his tenure with Orlando City, and now makes his league comeback with Austin FC, seeking to recapture that excellence and influence following his stint with Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras.
His move to Palmeiras reportedly commanded up to $14 million. Though his MLS return cost less—approximately $9.5 million—the attributes he delivers to Austin FC could generate significantly greater impact than during his Orlando days, despite his franchise-record 47 goals and 20 assists.
During his Brazilian experience, Torres found it challenging to replicate his MLS success, managing 10 goals and six assists over 61 matches. Nevertheless, joining Austin under head coach Nicolas Estévez places him in a well-structured system where he'll collaborate with USMNT forward Brandon Vázquez and new acquisition Jayden Nelson, who excelled with Western Conference champions Vancouver Whitecaps last campaign.
Should everything align properly, Torres will shine with Los Verdes while securing his place on Uruguay's World Cup squad under manager Marcelo Bielsa, simultaneously propelling the Texas club into competition with other elite Western Conference teams.
4. Stephen Eustáquio—LAFC
Opportunities to acquire Champions League-experienced players in their twenties rarely arise in MLS, yet that's exactly what LAFC accomplished with Canadian international midfielder Stephen Eustáquio. The 29-year-old arrives on loan for 2026, featuring a purchase clause reportedly valued at $7 million, following an uneven period with FC Porto.
Recently, Eustáquio has received minimal playing time despite maintaining his crucial role under head coach Jesse Marsch with Canada's national squad. His MLS move provides regular match opportunities while reuniting him with fellow Canadians including manager Marc Dos Santos, goalkeeper Thomas Hasal, and midfield colleagues Mathieu Choiniére, Ryan Raposo, and Jacob Shaffelburg, all within a highly competitive environment.
For LAFC, this acquisition focuses on enhancing their midfield with adaptable talent to complement Son Heung-min, Denis Bouanga, and other offensive players. With 12 goals and 11 assists across 156 professional appearances, Eustáquio represents an ideal addition, particularly as an initial loan signing.
3. Timo Werner—San Jose Earthquakes
Timo Werner possesses the potential to transform San Jose Earthquakes' fortunes. The 29-year-old arrived in North America after experiencing limited opportunities with RB Leipzig, accumulating merely 15 minutes during the 2025–26 campaign before his departure.
While questions exist regarding his ability to rediscover peak form with consistent minutes, transitioning to MLS represents the ideal path for career rejuvenation. Werner has accumulated 153 goals and 86 assists across 449 professional matches while earning 57 Germany caps.
His San Jose signing provides favorable climate conditions without the expectations associated with major market clubs like Miami or Los Angeles.
For the Earthquakes, securing Werner demonstrates ambitious intentions, especially after losing attackers Josef Martínez, Chicho Arango, and Cristian Espinoza during the offseason, as they pursue their first MLS Cup playoff appearance since 2020.
2. James Rodríguez—Minnesota United
James Rodríguez had remained on MLS clubs' radar for years, though few anticipated the 2014 World Cup standout would join Minnesota United for the 2026 season. After agreeing to a short-term contract through June with a club extension option through the MLS Cup playoffs, he becomes the first genuine superstar to represent the Loons.
While the Colombian enters MLS following a disappointing stint with Club Léon in Liga MX, he's positioned to transform Minnesota's playing philosophy. Rather than defending deep and conceding possession, the Loons, under new manager Cameron Knowles, could embrace a more dynamic, offensive approach as they target another competitive campaign in 2026.
By landing a player of James's caliber, who has featured for world-renowned clubs including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Minnesota genuinely established themselves on the MLS landscape while demonstrating the league's evolution beyond aging stars joining select markets.
1. Germán Berterame—Inter Miami
Inter Miami conducted an ambitious offseason, with Germán Berterame likely leading that activity. The 2025 MLS Cup winners were already frontrunners following their December acquisitions of 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair and others, but Berterame elevates them further—MLS Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup titles are theirs to surrender.
The Argentine-born Mexico international ranked among Liga MX's premier strikers during his Monterrey tenure, producing 68 goals and 15 assists in 154 appearances. Berterame also established himself as an El Tri regular internationally.
Miami invested their largest transfer fee to date securing his services, spending over $15 million for his abilities.
Now with the Herons, Berterame elevates an already exceptional attack to new heights. If the dominant 2025 squad had any weakness, it was the absence of a sharp No. 9 as Luis Suárez displayed signs of decline. They've now added one of the region's most dangerous strikers to partner with Lionel Messi, Tadeo Allende, and numerous other gifted attackers pursuing championships in Miami.