The 2026 MLS season has featured plenty of standout performances, with several MLS players having breakout seasons and making a major impact for their clubs. From leading the Golden Boot race to creating chances for teammates, these stars have helped make the season exciting.
Here are five of the best MLS players having breakout seasons in 2026 based on their performances, goal production, and overall impact for their clubs.
Five MLS Players Having Breakout Seasons in 2026
5. Anders Dreyer – San Diego FC
Anders Dreyer has remained an important part of the improved San Diego FC attack in 2026. The Danish midfielder has shown his ability to score goals, create chances, and set up his teammates throughout the season.
Dreyer has recorded 11 goals and 12 assists in 26 regular-season appearances, according to MLSsoccer.com. His production has made him one of San Diego FC’s most important attacking players and one of the MLS players having breakout seasons in 2026.
His combination of scoring and playmaking has allowed him to impact games in several ways. Dreyer’s ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates has been a major reason for his strong 2026 MLS season.
4. Cristian Espinoza – Nashville SC
Cristian Espinoza has been one of the most dangerous attacking players for the league’s no 1 Nashville SC in 2026. The Argentine winger has used his creativity and passing ability to consistently create opportunities for his teammates.
Espinoza has recorded four goals and 13 assists this season, putting him among the league leaders in assists. His ability to create chances has made him an important part of Nashville’s attack.
Alongside players such as Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, Espinoza has helped Nashville become one of the top teams in MLS. His production has also made him one of the MLS players having breakout seasons this year.
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3. Sam Surridge – Nashville SC
Sam Surridge has been one of the most impressive strikers in MLS this season. The Nashville SC forward has established himself as one of the league’s top goal scorers and has become a major part of Nashville’s attack heading into the postseason.
Surridge has scored 16 goals in 21 appearances while adding two assists. While his assist total is lower than some of the other players on this list, his primary job is to score goals, and he has done that at a high level.
His finishing and ability to find scoring opportunities have made him a constant threat in the final third. Along with Mukhtar and Espinoza, Surridge has helped give Nashville one of the league’s most dangerous attacks and has been one of the standout MLS players having breakout seasons.
2. Petar Musa – FC Dallas
Petar Musa has been one of FC Dallas’ biggest attacking threats in 2026. The Croatian striker has consistently found the back of the net while playing a major role in Dallas’ attack.
Musa has scored 18 goals in 23 appearances and added four assists. He was also selected for the MLS All-Star Game and represented Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
One of Musa’s biggest performances came against San Diego FC, when he scored a hat trick. His ability to consistently finish chances has made him one of the most dangerous forwards in MLS this season.
1. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami CF
Few players in soccer history have had a career like Lionel Messi. Even at 38 years old, the Inter Miami star continues to produce at an elite level and remains one of the biggest names in MLS. Is this a “breakout”? Maybe not. But considering his age, one could consider it a breakout, as he seems to reinvent himself every season. He’s adapted, which is something all elite players who last this long at the top will need to do.
Messi has recorded 21 goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances this season. His production has once again made him one of the league’s most dangerous attacking players.
His ball control allows him to create space and get around defenders, while his passing can create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Messi’s ability to score and create chances has continued to make him a difference-maker for Inter Miami.
With his continued production at this stage of his career, Messi remains one of the most influential players in MLS. While his season may not traditionally be considered a breakout, his continued dominance makes him an important part of the conversation surrounding MLS players having breakout seasons in 2026.
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