Hugo Cuypers faces Chicago, Hirving Lozano returns to San Diego, St. Louis CITY SC rides the longest unbeaten streak, and big stars continue to come to MLS.
Transfer Window Update – Big Stars, Young Players and More
Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann have grabbed the headlines this summer with their moves to Chicago Fire FC and Orlando City SC, but they are just a few examples of global stars making MLS their league of choice following the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Among the long list of players to join MLS this summer are those who have competed on the sport’s biggest stages, including FIFA World Cups, UEFA Champions League campaigns, and trophy-winning runs at top clubs across the globe. The average age of signings is 25 years old and more players 24 or younger have joined MLS than those 30 or older this summer. This includes 11 previous World Cup participants, 14 Designated Players, and 30 different nationalities represented.
The trend points to a larger story: top talent sees MLS as a league of choice, drawn by elite facilities, ambitious clubs, growing fan energy, and the opportunity to compete for silverware in one of the world's top soccer markets.
Red-Hot Fire Face Hugo Cuypers in Marquee Leagues Cup Quarterfinal
The Chicago Fire cannot stop winning in MLS or Leagues Cup play, but now they meet a familiar face in Hugo Cuypers when CF Monterrey visits for a marquee Leagues Cup Quarterfinal tomorrow night (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV).
Cuypers scored 44 times for Chicago in his three-year MLS career, before transferring to Monterrey this summer, just weeks before Leagues Cup kicked off. The Belgian striker is the exact reason why he will face his old team after scoring the game-winning goal, and his third of the competition, for Los Rayados in the dying seconds of their final Phase One match to sneak into the quarterfinals as the No. 4 LIGA MX side.
The Fire were tremendous in Phase One, becoming the only MLS team to win every match in regulation and recording the second-best goal differential among all teams in the tournament. All eyes will be on star No. 9 Robert Lewandowski, who replaced Cuypers, and has been finding the back of the net for Chicago in their winning streak.
Leagues Cup is all about the rivalries, and with Cuypers facing his old team, this one should be turned up to the max to kick off the Quarterfinals.
Yoann Damet Leading a Resurgent St. Louis CITY SC
The longest unbeaten streak in MLS belongs to none other than St. Louis CITY SC, with first-year head coach Yoann Damet leading them up the Western Conference standings.
With their victory over then-Western Conference leaders Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday, St. Louis reached 33 points (9-6-6 record) in 2026, already surpassing their point total from 2025 (32). Their ascent up the standings has been part of an 11-game unbeaten run with eight wins during the streak. As a result, St. Louis has the third-highest points per game increase in MLS compared to last season (+0.63), behind only Nashville SC (+0.75) and Houston (+0.72).
The unbeaten streak has embodied how Yoann Damet has led St. Louis as the club has had 12 different goal scorers during the span. Damet has fostered a team where everyone contributes to produce results, which is working. Next up for Damet and St. Louis is Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire when they host FC Dallas (7 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV) in what should be a fantastic atmosphere at Energizer Park.
Hirving Lozano Makes Return to San Diego for First Time
One of the most surprising moves of the summer window was Hirving Lozano moving up the coast to the LA Galaxy on loan. This Saturday he returns to San Diego for the first time in what should be a must-watch match.
Lozano made his first start for the Galaxy on Wednesday night, and despite playing half the game with 10 men, the Galaxy got a rivalry win against the San Jose Earthquakes. The Mexican legend looked threatening, forcing saves and drawing fouls throughout the contest. He also made a substitute appearance on Saturday, helping the Galaxy earn another road point.
Returning to San Diego will likely be a charged affair for Lozano, who was the club’s inaugural Designated Player and helped catalyze a historic first season, before being excluded from the squad in 2026. If the emerging Galaxy-San Diego rivalry needed any more sparks, this Saturday’s contest could provide plenty of those.
