Top News

Major League Soccer

4 September 2026

By Jonathan Sigal

The MLS Secondary Transfer Window shut on Wednesday night, with clubs hurrying to finalise deals ahead of Matchday 24 this weekend.

With summer arrivals beginning to settle in and the race for the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs now gathering real momentum, here is a look at the biggest matches coming up.

WHEN: Saturday, 7:30 pm ET

WATCH: Apple TV

Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his iconic international career earlier this week, saying goodbye to his beloved Argentina national team through an emotional letter shared publicly.

However, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is still going full tilt at club level and is focused on helping Inter Miami CF challenge for a second consecutive MLS Cup presented by Audi crown.

The back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP leads the league with 28 goal contributions (18g/10a) this season, setting the pace in the Golden Boot presented by Audi race. He is also coming off a historic 4g/1a display in last weekend’s 7-1 home demolition of CF Montréal.

Standing in Messi and company’s way are Atlanta United, and the visitors could hand star striker Breel Embolo his debut.

The Switzerland international joined last month from French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais for one of the biggest transfer fees in MLS history, reportedly around $18 million.

Embolo, who played at the 2026 World Cup, will aim to combine with Paraguay star Miguel Almirón and help fuel an away upset.

Walmart Saturday Showdown

WHEN: Saturday, 9:30 pm ET

WATCH: Apple TV

The Walmart Saturday Showdown focus shifts to Los Angeles, where the Galaxy are hoping their midseason squad additions can push them into the playoff spots.

Former FC Barcelona man Sergi Roberto, Mexico winger Chucky Lozano and Japan forward Kyōgo Furuhashi headline the reinforcements for the six-time MLS Cup champions, who have managed only one win in eight matches since the World Cup break.

That trio links up with Marco Reus and Joseph Paintsil, who have combined for 9g/12a and are expected to provide a lift.

New England present a difficult challenge, arriving this weekend in sixth place in the Supporters' Shield race and continuing to build positive results under first-year head coach Marko Mitrović.

Club captain Carles Gil remains their key figure, with a team-best 16 goal contributions (8g/8a), and he also earned his fifth MLS All-Star selection earlier this summer.

The Revolution have also been strengthened by a summer arrival, with Jack Harrison contributing six assists in five matches since returning to MLS. The former New York City FC standout will be up against homegrown winger Peyton Miller.

WHEN: Saturday, 10:30 pm ET

WATCH: Apple TV

Just one season after reaching the MLS Cup final, Vancouver are showing that their 2025 run was no one-off.

The Whitecaps hold a four-point advantage at the top of the Western Conference table and sit above Houston Dynamo FC with a game in hand.

Thomas Müller continues to be the marquee name. But the Whitecaps’ strength lies in the collective, and they are thriving in head coach Jesper Sørensen’s attack-first system.

Next up, Vancouver meet a St. Louis CITY side that is on a 12-match unbeaten run, made up of eight wins and four draws, and arguably came out as the biggest winner of the summer transfer market.

The Midwestern side strengthened their attack with Denmark international Carlo Holse, Brazilian striker Rafael Navarro and USMNT forward Damion Downs, without missing a step despite the departures of fan favourites Marcel Hartel and Eduard Löwen.

Holse and Navarro are both Designated Players, while the latter arrived through a trade with the Colorado Rapids for a club-record $12 million.

The question now is whether all of those new additions can settle immediately and build on the momentum created by first-year head coach Yoann Damet.