MLS Players Expose League's Biggest Trash Talker and Most Toxic Locker Room in Explosive Poll

As 2025 draws to an end and the 2026 MLS campaign draws near, more than 500 players throughout the league shared their perspectives on various topics through the MLS Players' Association's yearly player survey.

This season's questionnaire allowed players to select some of the finest and poorest experiences league-wide, along with identifying the league's top verbal sparring partners, most difficult shot-stoppers, and other entertaining categories.

The MLSPA released the complete findings, including numerous runner-up and third-place results where applicable.

Best Trash Talker—Richie Laryea

With numerous languages spoken throughout the league, identifying the top verbal antagonist in MLS involves considerable complexity. Nevertheless, the champion proved to be Toronto FC and Canadian national team defender Richie Laryea, who communicates mainly in English. Despite accumulating 35 yellow cards during his MLS tenure, he has managed to avoid receiving a red card.

FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga claimed second place in the poll, while Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez secured third position, ranking highest among non-native English speakers.

Funniest Player—Raheem Edwards

Raheem Edwards has traveled extensively throughout MLS during his career, featuring for Toronto FC, CF Montréal, Minnesota United, LAFC, LA Galaxy and currently Red Bull New York. In 2025, his colleagues chose him as the league's most humorous player during a campaign where he exceeded 200 regular-season matches.

MLSPA did not announce second or third-place candidates in this section.

Most Fashionable—DeAndre Yedlin

Numerous occasions exist to display personal style during an MLS season, with at least 34 arrival outfits, despite some clubs requiring team uniforms for road games. Real Salt Lake's DeAndre Yedlin earned recognition for being most stylish in MLS, and he's experienced multiple opportunities to enhance his wardrobe, having competed in the unique environments of Seattle, Miami, Cincinnati, London and Istanbul.

The remaining top contenders in this category were FC Dallas's Sebastian Ibeagha and Chicago Fire's Kellyn Acosta.

Fittest Player—Brandt Bronico

Every MLS organization implements rigorous fitness evaluations during the campaign, but what superior method exists to identify the most physically prepared players than consulting those who must compete alongside them? The players chose Charlotte FC midfielder Brandt Bronico as the most physically fit player in 2025, with Seattle Sounders and USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan placing second and LAFC attacker Denis Bouanga earning third.

Toughest Goalie to Beat—Roman Burki

Two of the finest goalkeepers from the previous era dominated the top two keepers in the MLSPA Player Poll. St. Louis CITY SC's Roman Bürki received the recognition, having been the only Designated Player goalkeeper following an impressive period with Borussia Dortmund.

LAFC's Hugo Lloris, a 2018 World Cup champion with France and longtime Premier League standout, placed second, while Charlotte FC's Kristjan Kahlina earned third place.

Most Underrated Player—Darlington Nagbe

How frequently can a player receive underrated recognition and still merit the designation? Even as MLS has expanded to feature superstars like Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller, veteran midfielder Darlington Nagbe has consistently distinguished himself.

The MLSPA designated him as the most underrated player in 2025, earning the distinction in his farewell season. He has now concluded his career after featuring in 445 regular-season contests.

Best Pitch—Tie Between Austin FC and FC Cincinnati

Most MLS playing surfaces feature natural grass as the league enters its 30th campaign, but two distinguished themselves above the others, with Austin FC's Q2 Stadium and FC Cincinnati's TQL Stadium receiving recognition for the finest pitch in MLS.

Austin's surface utilizes Platinum TE Seashore Paspalm grass, recognized for its resilience in Texas heat, while Cincinnati employs Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass natural grass, which substituted a former hybrid turf arrangement.

Worst Away Locker Room—New York City FC

Few venues provide a more distinctive away experience than New York City FC matches at Yankee Stadium. Primarily designed for baseball, the stadium contains the smallest playing field in MLS, and the visiting locker room serves as an additional auxiliary facility known for being relatively cramped.

Some players, nevertheless, also highlighted the Colorado Rapids' away facilities at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and CF Montréal's visitors' area at Stade Saputo among the poorest.

Club You'd Want to Play for—LAFC

Inter Miami has demonstrated appeal as an attractive destination for some MLS free agents and other talents joining the league, but it failed to rank among the most desirable clubs in the MLSPA survey.

Instead, LAFC led the rankings after attracting Son Heung-min, Lloris and others, while the 2025 expansion team, San Diego FC, claimed second place. Nashville SC, located in a city with music central to its character, secured third position.

Best Home Field Advantage—LAFC

LAFC's 3252 supporters' organization has positioned itself as one of the elite groups globally, not just within MLS. While BMO Stadium accommodates only 22,000, the 3252 stand creates an intimidating atmosphere and led the rankings for best home field advantage in the MLSPA survey.

Additional top contenders included the Seattle Sounders and Charlotte FC, who compete at their city's NFL venues, featuring some of the most passionate crowds in the league—and both play on distinctive artificial surfaces as well, providing additional home team benefits.