Which MLS teams are most entertaining? MLS Watchability Rankings, 2026 edition

In a league with 30 teams and overlapping kickoff times, figuring out which MLS game to watch on any given Saturday night is difficult when your favorite team isn’t in action.

Beyond club (and player) loyalties, who do you pick? Hopefully, this extremely scientific and super serious ranking helps you out.

The first time I wrote this article was in 2018. The league had seven (!) fewer teams. Things have changed. This remains one of my favorite articles to write each year because, first,  there are many fellow sickos out there who want to watch as much of the league as they can and this can help provide a guideline of where to focus your valuable time. Second, selfishly, it helps me do the same.

Before we get there, though, here’s a breakdown of the point system I used to rank the teams. Everyone has their own preferences and this committee (of one) is no different, particularly with these subjective categories. There are a couple ties and the aforementioned committee will decide who gets the tiebreaker.

• Quality (10 points): A team doesn’t have to be great at soccer to be watchable, but it certainly helps.
• Identity (10 points): San Diego FC’s free-flowing, high-tempo, possession-based soccer is more enjoyable than Minnesota United’s penchant for sitting deep and scoring on long throws, even if both were successful in 2025.
• Non-soccer (5 points): Stadium, atmosphere, kits and whatever else that comes in the non-soccer aesthetics to a team. Energizer Park in St. Louis, for example, provides a more pleasant viewing experience than Yankee Stadium. Teams who wear their primary kit at home consistently are also rewarded.
• New season intrigue (5 points): Starting a new season, there is a varying degree of unknown for every team, but I’m more excited to find out about Henrik Rydstrøm’s “Art of Relationism” tactics than if Atlanta United has signed a good d-mid.
• Potential for spectacular moments (5 points): Likelihood to get a text with no words, only emojis and exclamation points.
• (Near-)fatal flaws (5 points): Likelihood to get a text out of nowhere like: “Lol they conceded three but still won 4-3.”
• Inadvertent humor (5 points): Bruce Arena GIFability, Wilfried Zaha’s snapchat, Thomas Müller’s gesticulations, Pablo Mastroeni’s philosophical press conference moments, Luis Suárez pleading with referees or opposing defenders 73 times a game … anything and everything that prompts a laugh.

As you’ll see, the scores are tight and very subjective. I’ll be watching all 30 teams all year long and enjoying it plenty.

Hat tip, as always here, to Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe, as their NBA League Pass rankings serve as the inspiration for this.

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30. Sporting KC

Total: 19.5 points

Somebody has to be last. It’s a transition year for SKC who has let 12 players go from last year (good!) but has signed zero players who will be key building blocks for the future (not so good!). If Dejan Joveljić scores 18+ goals again this year, he deserves a statue.

29. CF Montréal

Total: 21 points

The jerseys are nice and Stade Saputo is one of the most pleasant atmospheres to come across on TV when the team is good and the place is jumping. But fans deserve more. There are interesting young players in the team, but there doesn’t look like enough quality around them to have realistic playoff expectations.

28. D.C. United

Total: 22 points

There is club-record signing Louis Munteanu and some high-floor MLS veterans, but this team is another two windows away from being more competitive. The first window of a winter rebuild is intriguing and has been a step in the right direction, at least.

27. New England Revolution

Total: 22.5 points

It is easy to be intrigued by new coach Marko Mitrović and some youth national team talent, but are they close enough in the East to challenge for playoffs? Carles Gil remains a gem, but playing in Gillette Stadium does them no favors for watchability.

26. Real Salt Lake

Total: 23 points

Nice kits and a solid stadium, but RSL has a talent deficit most years. Diego Luna is a one-man show, and his on- and off-field style offers a boost, as do Mastroeni’s press conference one-liners. But the club has one designated player, Morgan Guilavogui, and if he flops like other recent DPs, the team will struggle.

25. St. Louis City

Total: 23.5 points

Energizer Park boasts one of the league’s best atmospheres, and the club has a pair of really strong kits, including the unmissable secondary Tina Turner shirt. Will Yoann Damet’s style look much like that of the man he used to assist, Wilfried Nancy? Does St. Louis have the players to execute it? Much remains to be seen.

24. Austin FC

Total: 24 points

Facundo Torres will help, as will Brandon Vázquez’s eventual return from injury. The “verde” kits are likable and the Q2 Stadium atmosphere bounces when the team is playing well. But if they don’t play more expansively than last year, it’ll be a slog to watch.

23. San Jose Earthquakes

Total: 24.5 points

Timo Werner will be good, but another DP (or two) could work wonders in pushing them higher. There are some bonus points at work here for Arena’s sideline humor.

22. FC Dallas

Total: 25 points

As long as construction continues on Toyota Stadium, the club won’t score highly in the non-soccer category. But Petar Musa is legitimately one of the best forwards in the league, even if he needs more quality around him.

21. Toronto FC

Total: 25.5 points

This year is the light at the end of the tunnel from the putrid Lorenzo Insigne/Federico Bernardeschi era. Toronto will be better, but probably not explosive, though fans can live with that if they land back in the playoffs. Will Josh Sargent or a new DP forward arrive? That could be key.

20. Atlanta United

Total: 26 points

After a disastrous 2025 season, Tata Martino is back in town to turn things around. The focus will be on whether Emmanuel Latte Lath, the second-highest transfer in league history, can perform better – and if Martino can reignite Miguel Almirón’s magic.

19. NYCFC

Total: 26.5 points

This is the last year NYCFC scores just one point in the non-soccer category before moving to their new Queens home. Pascal Jansen has the team playing attractive, winning soccer, Nico Fernández Mercau is a best XI-caliber player, while Maxi Moralez is a warm blanket of familiarity, chance creation and lovable nonsense.

T- 17. Charlotte FC

Total: 27 points

Zaha’s on-field efforts, interview performances and Snapchat contributions are worth some points alone. This is a quality team that hopes to be more incisive with the ball in 2026. The Carolina blue kits are a positive, and the home fan experience is great, while Dean Smith’s press conferences are often must-see.

T-17. New York Red Bulls

Total: 27 points

Maximum points here for new-season intrigue, as Michael Bradley steps in as head coach. Emil Forsberg needs more of a creative platform, but that may come with a playing style tweak. As for Cade Cowell’s hair and Tim Parker flexing on dudes? We’re here for it.

16. Philadelphia Union

Total: 27.5 points

The reigning Supporters’ Shield holders are destined to be good again, and Subaru Park is always a pleasure to be at. You know what style you’re getting, but it produces results, regardless of shifts in personnel.

15. Colorado Rapids

Total: 28 points

New coach Matt Wells brings intrigue, having overhauled the system in preseason upon his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur. Colorado is an unknown commodity and is worth paying attention to for that reason. Paxten Aaronson, 22, has an opportunity to explode this year if things fall right.

T-13. Minnesota United

Total: 28.5 points

James Rodríguez?! Kudos to Minnesota for one of the boldest and most unexpected transfers the league has ever seen. The Minnesota kits are terrific and that northern home atmosphere is special. Those fans will get to see lots of changes to the team that made the Western Conference quarterfinals last year.

T-13. Portland Timbers

Total: 28.5 points

Providence Park is a great place to watch, and coach Phil Neville should bring some lively comments and a more energetic tactical shift. If David Da Costa has a strong second season, then the Timbers have real upside.

12. Houston Dynamo

Total: 29 points

The Dynamo should turn out to have one of the league’s highest possession rates and though it might be too optimistic to wish for a return to the quality and style of 2024, they’re aesthetically pleasing when things are firing. Expect at least five new starters, including two DPs, plus the return of midfielder Héctor Herrera.

11. Orlando City

Total: 29.5 points

Expect good things from Orlando on the field this year, with a trio of Brazilian under-22s and fun stars Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić. The shirts are distinct and likable, especially if you like purple.

10. FC Cincinnati

Total: 30 points

Cincy has one of the most individual and exciting players in MLS in Evander, plus one of its best forwards in Kévin Denkey. There’s also a strong defensive foundation, but it’s aggressive, exciting defense rather than just the sit-and-counter approach.

9. Chicago Fire

Total: 30.5 points

The kits are gorgeous. The home stadium is not. But Gregg Berhalter is building something here, and his front-footed style in year one was worthy of praise. Expect a further boost in his second year and plenty of evidence to back the Fire’s top-10 ranking.

8. Seattle Sounders

Total: 31 points

Everything that comes with a Sounders home game is good: the atmosphere, the kits, the experience — these are all a big plus. This is a superstar-free zone, but Seattle will be good like always, with incisive, attacking soccer. Points in involuntary humor are due for the Nouhou Tolo experience.

7. LA Galaxy

Total: 31.5 points

If Riqui Puig was fully fit and back to form, this team would automatically leap into the top five. Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil can be expected to improve, and the defense should be hugely better than last year. Coach Greg Vanney will alter his style, but you can count on it being possession-heavy.

6. Columbus Crew

Total: 32 points

New head coach Henrik Rydström arrives with a fascinating, unique style of play and there is plenty for Crew fans and neutrals to anticipate on that front. Rydström has some toys to play with, too, as Diego Rossi and Wessam Abou Ali (when fit) form a top-level attacking partnership.

5. Nashville SC

Total: 33 points

Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge were already one of the league’s strongest attacking duos, and now Nashville has added Cristian Espinoza to the mix. The full evolution into Nashville 2.0 is upon us. The squad plays more expansive soccer now and looks like a dependable choice for a strong campaign.

4. Vancouver Whitecaps

Total: 34.5 points

The Whitecaps played the best brand of soccer in MLS last year. Long may it continue. A full season of Müller in Jesper Sørensen’s system is something to look forward to, while Brian White is a legitimate dark horse for the Golden Boot.

3. San Diego FC

Total: 35 points

San Diego was one of the league’s best stories in 2025 and has thoroughly enjoyed Champions Cup action to date. The playing style is a delight, and talisman Anders Dreyer can again carry one of the league’s best teams. Manu Duah, 20, is one of MLS’s most accomplished youngsters, and there is more developing talent around him.

2. LAFC

Total: 36 points

Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga formed a dynamic duo before they’d even properly got to know each other, while Marc Dos Santos’ appointment as coach could be a fascinating wrinkle. LAFC is always a fun time, with those black-and-gold jerseys and an elite home field. Stephen Eustáquio may turn into a tremendous signing.

1. Inter Miami

Total: 38 points

Painfully obvious but entirely true: Miami is the most watchable team in MLS. Why? Lionel Messi is an answer by himself, but there’s lots more to look at. Germán Berterame arrives with ambition, there will be a full year of Rodrigo de Paul, the defense has been overhauled and the attacking options are young and exciting. Want more? How about those iconic pink jerseys and a new stadium opening in April.