Torres, Espinoza headline MLS' Familiar Faces in New Places for 2026

Torres, Espinoza headline MLS’ Familiar Faces in New Places for 2026

The 2026 MLS common season is 16 days from getting underway and as common there have been roster strikes galore in each the Jap and Western Conferences.

Loads of the league’s prime gamers have modified uniform colours forward of opening day together with Cristian Espinoza, Walker Zimmerman, Jakob Glesnes and others. Facundo Torres is again in MLS after spending the final yr in Brazil whereas Mateusz Bogusz additionally made a return to the league from Mexico.

Anticipate many different faces to commit their futures elsewhere because the early levels of the brand new marketing campaign attracts nearer.

Here’s a have a look at the highest acquainted faces in MLS who’ve made the transfer elsewhere within the league, or made a return total:

Facundo Torres, Austin FC

One yr after leaving MLS for Brazilian membership Palmeiras, Facundo Torres is again.

The Uruguayan attacker scored 10 objectives and added 5 assists in 61 appearances for Palmeiras, that includes throughout a number of competitions together with the FIFA Membership World Cup. Now Torres is now an Austin FC participant, searching for to copy the manufacturing that he delivered with Orlando Metropolis over components of three seasons.

After reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2025, Austin FC will hope that Torres’ arrival helps them make a good deeper run in 2026.

Cristian Espinoza, Nashville SC

One of many league’s extra productive attacking midfielders will now be joined by one other.

Cristian Espinoza joined Nashville SC this winter, ending a seven-year run with the San Jose Earthquakes. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder produced 4 objectives and eight assists for San Jose final season earlier than surprisingly strolling as a free agent after San Jose reportedly “forgot” to set off his choice for 2026.

With Espinoza becoming a member of forces with Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge in Nashville, it now creates one of many league’s extra deadlier offensive trios.

Walker Zimmerman, Toronto FC

Toronto FC wanted defensive assist iif really desires to be a risk in 2026. Enter Walker Zimmerman.

Zimmerman joined TFC as a free agent signing, bringing greater than 300+ appearances with him. The 32-year-old spent the previous six seasons with Nashville SC, turning into a stalwart within the backline for a number of campaigns.

His veteran management and robust defensive talents will certainly enhance TFC, who missed the playoffs by 21 factors final season.

Jakob Glesnes, LA Galaxy

One of many greater strikes this winter was the Philadelphia Union parting methods with defender Jakob Glesnes.

Glesnes made 224 appearances for the Union over six seasons, incomes three MLS All-Star nods, two Finest XI picks, and one Defender of the Yr award. The previous Norwegian youth nationwide group participant helped the Union develop into one of many extra constant golf equipment in MLS throughout his time there, main them to 2 Supporters’ Shields and one MLS Cup Finals look.

Glesnes ought to step proper into the LA Galaxy backline this season and assist them trim their 66 objectives conceded from a yr in the past.

Mateusz Bogusz, Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo introduced Mateusz Bogusz again to MLS this winter, one yr after he initially left for Liga MX.

Bogusz, 24, produced three objectives and 7 assists for Cruz Azul over the previous yr, however in the end struggled to copy his 2024 numbers that he delivered with LAFC. Houston is reportedly paying near $10 million for Bogusz’s providers after signing him to a Designated Participant deal over the following two years.

Though that price could also be a bit steep, Houston will consider that there’s one other degree for Bogusz to get to of their system.

Dayne St. Clair, Inter Miami

The reigning MLS Cup champions have had one heck of an offseason.

After Gerard Berterame, Sergio Reguillon, amongst others, the Herons additionally signed reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Yr Dayne St. Clair to their squad. The Canadian worldwide signed a one-year take care of Inter Miami, taking his abilities to Florida after being Minnesota United’s No. 1 goalkeeper over the previous 4 seasons.

St. Clair produced 11 clear sheets in 2025 and will definitely be an improve on the place with Inter Miami searching for a repeat.

Robin Lod, Chicago Hearth

One other Minnesota United participant was on the transfer this winter with Robin Lod becoming a member of the Chicago Hearth.

Lod, who registered 41 objectives and 28 assists over seven seasons with the Loons, now heads to Gregg Berhalter’s Hearth. The Finnish worldwide is a live-wire in assault and can carry loads of versatility and suppleness to Chicago’s attacking entrance.

Berhalter helped the Hearth break their playoff drought in 2025 and with Lod coming into the combo for 2026, expectations will likely be excessive for Chicago to take one other step ahead.

Jacob Shaffelburg, LAFC

After eight seasons in Toronto and Nashville, 26-year-old Jacob Shaffelburg is heading to the brilliant lights of Los Angeles.

LAFC acquired Shaffelburg from Nashville SC this winter, bringing the dynamic winger to the West Coast. Nashville SC supplied the chance for Shaffelburg to take the following step in his improvement, and he rewarded them with 15 objectives and 11 assists.

As he hopes to remain within the Canadian males’s nationwide group image for the World Cup, Shaffelburg will now look to rapidly translate his manufacturing over to one of many league’s finest attacking items.

Drake Callender, Minnesota United

Minnesota United could have misplaced Dayne St. Clair, however they did usher in one of many league’s higher goalkeepers to switch him.

Drake Callender joined the Loons from Charlotte FC, bringing greater than 100 appearances with him to St. Paul. Callender primarily featured for Inter Miami over the previous 4 seasons earlier than ultimately heading to Charlotte FC, the place he served as a backup.

Though he could not get the reward that St. Clair receives, Callender will rapidly soar again right into a No. 1 function with the Loons.

Tai Baribo, DC United

Again-to-back double digit seasons for Tai Baribo wasn’t sufficient to maintain him in Philadelphia.

Baribo made the transfer to DC United from the Union this winter in a deal value reportedly $4.6 million. The Israel males’s nationwide group ahead led Philadelphia with 19 objectives in 2025 and in the end completed his Union profession with 35 objectives over three seasons.

Now he heads to DC United, trying to fill the hole left by Christian Benteke, who moved to UAE membership Al-Wahda this offseason. The constructive factor for Baribo although is, he received’t have as many attacking gamers preventing him for minutes not like in Philadelphia.

Cade Cowell, New York Purple Bulls

Two years after shifting to Liga MX from MLS, Cade Cowell can be again in the US.

Cowell joined the New York Purple Bulls on mortgage for the 2026 marketing campaign, searching for to get again amongst the objectives. A former San Jose Earthquakes homegrown, Cowell produced 12 objectives for Chivas since 2024, however in the end struggled through the Apertura season final fall.

He’ll now be among the many favorites to begin in Michael Bradley’s assault, bringing a powerful work charge and engine to the squad.