Messi v Son. The two best players in the league play for the two “glamour” teams on opposite coasts, and each have large and dedicated fanbases. If both stay relatively healthy and perform up to capabilities, there’s no way the race between them for some honor (Golden Boot? MVP? Both?) won’t be fascinating to see unfold. AA

Whatever the league does – or doesn’t do – to capitalize on the World Cup. We’re just months away from arguably the biggest moment in the history of American men’s soccer and it’s still not entirely clear (schedule shift aside) what the league is doing to exploit it. It will be years, probably, before we figure out whether MLS succeeded or not – let’s hope the ad wizards in the boardroom have something figured out. PM

A likely decision on the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps. By and large, 2026 looks like a year for quiet fine-tuning before a schedule change. It feels like the stadium standoff in Vancouver is coming to a head. Will the Whitecaps be around for a fall-to-spring schedule? This writer hopes so, though he can’t afford land in British Columbia. JR

MLS’s response to the World Cup....