Total Soccer Show: USMNT, Champions League, EPL, and more ... MLS 2026 Season Preview! Part 5: San Diego FC, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, St. Louis City & Vancouver Whitecaps
Feb 20, 2026
A deep-dive tour of six MLS teams ahead of 2026. Conversations cover San Diego’s breakout identity and young talents, San Jose’s roster shakeup and Werner’s role, Seattle’s midfield turnover and De Rosario prediction, Sporting KC’s rebuild and thin depth, St. Louis’ tactical shift toward possession, and Vancouver’s controlled, progressive system and key departures and arrivals.
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San Diego's Identity Overcomes Big-Name Uncertainty
- San Diego FC built a clear possession-first identity that produced historic expansion success.
- Losing Chucky Lozano creates a roster and DP allocation risk despite strong underlying structure.
San Jose Forgot To Renew Its Best Player
- Jeff and colleagues recount San Jose forgetting to pick up Christian Espinoza's option and the embarrassment that followed.
- The club fired staff and reshaped the roster after that high-profile administrative error.
Bruce's Immediate Defensive Impact
- Bruce Arena stabilised San Jose and improved expected goal difference significantly in year one.
- The team still needs defensive reinforcement despite clearer attacking options like Timo Werner.