Feb 20, 2026, 08:48 AM ET

It's been more than two months since Lionel Messi's Inter Miami were crowned champions of MLS. Since then, fans of the league have endured the cold, snow and darkness of its long winter offseason, only now emerging to the very beginnings of springtime's green shoots of growth.

That's because MLS returns to action Saturday, kicking off a campaign that will both observe the league's 30th anniversary and a midsummer respite to make way for the FIFA World Cup.

While those offseason days have indeed been short and dark, there has been quite a bit going on across all 30 clubs. So before the 2026 campaign gets underway, ESPN turned to Jeff Carlisle, Cesar Hernandez, Lizzy Becherano, Jon Arnold, Joe Lowery and Megan Swanick to get you up to speed on what every team has been up to since they last kicked a ball in anger.

Atlanta United

What they've been up to: With Brad Guzan retired (and named club ambassador and sporting adviser), Atlanta is sussing out its first-choice goalkeeper while hoping for stronger defending and delivery from what is still one of the most expensive (and underachieving) rosters in the league. While one familiar face departed...