The fifth season of MLS NEXT Pro action is finally upon us.
Last year, Colorado Rapids 2 surprised many en route to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final appearance but as the Western Conference turns the page to 2026, the question is simple: who will rise to the top this season?
With new leadership on the sidelines and a fresh wave of young talent ready to break through, the competition in MLS NEXT Pro looks as tight as ever.
Let’s take a look at what we can expect out West in 2026:
Frontier Divison:
Austin FC II
Head Coach: Jason Shackell
2025 Record: 10W-10L-8T, 41 points - 9th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: A new chapter begins in Austin
Brett Uttley departs Austin FC II after three seasons at the helm, leaving behind a decorated résumé. Under Uttley, ATX II captured the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup and Western Conference title in its inaugural season and lifted the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Invitational trophy in 2024. He now moves on to serve as an assistant coach with FC Cincinnati’s first team.
Stepping into the role is Jason Shackell, Austin FC II’s second-ever head coach. Shackell has been part of the Austin FC organization since 2021, most recently serving as the club’s U-16 head coach. The former English defender brings extensive playing experience, having appeared in more than 500 professional matches.
“I’m delighted to step into this new role with Austin FC II and I’m grateful to the organization for their trust in me,” said Shackell. “It’s a terrific opportunity and I can’t wait to get started next season.”
The 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions narrowly missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and will look to fight their way back into the top eight in 2026 under new leadership.
Colorado Rapids 2
Head Coach: Erik Bushey
2025 Record: 15W-8L-5T, 51 points - 3rd in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Bushey Signs Extension; Colombian Midfielder Luis García Added
Colorado Rapids 2 took part of a magical Cinderella run to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup, proving they can never be counted out.
Although the season ended in heartbreak with a penalty shootout loss in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final, Rapids 2 now turn their attention to 2026.
Leading the charge once again will be Erik Bushey, who signed a contract extension this offseason to continue as head coach - a role he has held since the club’s inaugural season in 2022.
The 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year has guided Rapids 2 to two Western Conference Finals and has established the club as one of the league’s most consistent contenders.
With stability on the coaching front secured, Rapids 2 looked to bolster their midfield bringing in Colombian midfielder Luis García.
The 20-year-old arrives after spending the past two seasons with C.A. Independiente La Chorrera in Panama’s top division and helped guide his club to a second-place finish in 2025.
“We are excited to bring a talent like Luis on board for this season,” said Brian Crookham, Director of Player Personnel. “He will add a two-way presence in midfield in addition to having the tools that we feel make him a long-term prospect for the club.”
Rapids 2 will open their 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign on the road against Houston Dynamo 2 on March 1.
MNUFC2
Head Coach: Fanendo Adi
2025 Record: 12W-10L-6T, 44 points - 5th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Jeremy Hall Departs for USYNT; Fanendo Adi Takes Charge
MNUFC2 will enter 2026 under new leadership after head coach Jeremy Hall accepted the role as head coach of the United States U-18 Men’s National Team.
Hall spent four seasons in total with MNUFC2, including two as head coach, and led the club to its first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs appearance and a run to the Western Conference Final in 2025.
“We’re proud and excited for Jeremy. It’s a well-deserved honor that has arrived due to his outstanding mentorship and leadership,” said MNUFC Head of Development and Player Pathway Amos Magee. “U.S. Soccer has made a great hire and as much as we’ll miss him here, I’m thrilled that he will have a hand in shaping future national team players as they continue their developmental path.”
Stepping into the role is former MLS veteran Fanendo Adi, who has been promoted to head coach after serving as an assistant with MNUFC2 the past two seasons.
A Lagos, Nigeria native, Adi enjoyed a decorated MLS career, most notably with the Portland Timbers, where he scored 54 goals in five seasons and helped the club capture MLS Cup in 2015.
With key returners such as Kage Romanshyn Jr and the incoming college signees, MNUFC2 begins a new era aiming to build on last season’s success.
MNUFC2 will spend the first six matchweeks away from home to start their campaign and will kick off their season in the Texas capitol when they face Austin FC II this weekend.
North Texas SC
Head Coach: John Gall
2025 Record: 11W-11L-6T, 43 points - 6th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Mansfield Stadium approaching completion, NTX adds Belgian duo
The 2025 season for North Texas SC will be remembered for Sam Sarver’s meteoric rise to a first-team contract and earning MLS NEXT Pro MVP honors.
When Sarver was unavailable, NTX struggled to find consistent goal scoring and ultimately needed a hat trick from their star forward to secure a postseason berth last year.
Now, head coach John Gall will look to retool the squad with new talents such as midfielder Natty James, along with Belgian duo of Umberto Pela and Edu Nys, to push this team back to their title-winning heights.
Forwards Jaidyn Contreras, Samuel Sadeh and Josh Torquato will also be counted on to continue their development and help lead the squad into 2026.
North Texas SC will usher in a new era in terms of their home field in 2026, when they inagurate their brand new stadium when they host St Louis CITY2 on on July 4th.
Real Monarchs
Head Coach: Mark Lowry
2025 Record: 13W-7L-8T, 51 points - 4th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Van Parker signed to HG deal
Real Monarchs made history in 2025, earning their first-ever MLS NEXT Pro playoff appearance and hosting a postseason match in the process.
While the results didn’t go their way, the breakthrough campaign laid a strong foundation for the future.
Head coach Mark Lowry returns for his third season at the helm, continuing a developmental model that has already paid dividends.
Under Lowry, players such as Zavier Gozo, Aiden Hezarkhani, and Luca Moisa have progressed to feature with the Real Salt Lake first team.
With several key contributors now making the jump, questions remain about who will step up for the Real Monarchs in 2026.
Van Parker could be the next player to step up having signed to a Homegrown contract in early February.
The 17-year-old Canadian forward was named 2025 MLS NEXT Cup MVP and earned 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Golden Boot honors. He was also selected as an MLS NEXT All-Star last year.
Internationally, Parker has represented Canada at multiple youth levels, most recently taking part of the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Real Salt Lake also brought back key defensive players in Wes Charpie and Gio Claderon, as well as adding 2024 MLS NEXT Pro's Best XI centerback Michael Wentzel to foritfy their backline.
Real Monarchs will kick off their 2026 campaign hosting North Texas SC on Sunday, March 1st.
St Louis CITY2
Head Coach: David Critchley
2025 Record: 17W-5L-6T, 51 points - 1st in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Critchley Returns; Experience Added in Lynch and Pearson
After a historic 2025 campaign, St Louis CITY2 enters the new season with unfinished business.
CITY2 topped the league standings last year, putting together an 18-game unbeaten run to secure the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed. But the postseason told a different story.
In one of the league’s biggest playoff upsets, MNUFC2 stunned CITY2 and abruptly ended what many believed would be a longer playoff run. Now, CITY2 looks reloaded and ready to reclaim its place atop the West.
There will be a new but familiar face on the touchline this season for CITY2 as David Critchley returns to the role after joing the first team to finish out 2025.
CITY2 has added proven experience to help them return to the top of the West standings. Midfielder Chris Pearson, a former Jamaican U-20 international, arrives with MLS NEXT Pro pedigree and significant USL Championship experience after beginning his career with Columbus Crew 2.
Forward Riley Lynch joins from Quakes II (formerly The Town FC) after posting eight goals and four assists in 34 appearances. The Arizona native adds a goal-scoring threat to an already dangerous CITY2 attack.
The 2026 campaign begins at Energizer Park on Saturday, February 28, when CITY2 hosts cross-state rival SKC II.
Sporting KC II
Head Coach: Lee Tschantret
2025 Record: 3W-19L-6T, 17 points - 14th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Lee Tschantret takes helm, SKC signs 15-year-old midfielder
Sporting KC II will enter this season under new leadership as interim head coach Ike Opara will not return to the squad in 2026.
SKC II appointed Lee Tschantret as head coach, with Luis Pacheco serving as assistant coach and Carlos Ortiz as goalkeeper coach.
Tschantret brings over 18 years of coaching experience. A former professional player and U.S. National Futsal Team captain, Tschantret also previously served as an assistant coach with the U.S. U-18 Youth National Team and holds a USSF A License.
As the new technical staff takes charge, one name to watch in 2026 is Zamir Loyo Reynaga.
The Las Vegas native made history last season, becoming the youngest player in club history to appear for SKC II and MLS NEXT Pro's sixth-youngest debutant at just 14 years and 251 days old. Loyo Reynaga has represented both the United States and Mexico at the youth international level and was recently on the first-team teamsheet during MLS Matchday 1 for Sporting Kansas City to begin this season.
With a new head coach in place and one of the league’s youngest prospects emerging, SKC II enters 2026 focused on growth.
Pacific Divison:
Earthquakes II
Head Coach: Dan DeGeer
2025 Record: 14W-8L-6T, 52 points - 2nd in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Quakes II Returns
San Jose’s MLS NEXT Pro side will return to its original Quakes II identity in 2026 following the conclusion of a two-year pilot partnership that rebranded the club as The Town FC.
Under head coach Dan DeGeer, Quakes II secured a third consecutive postseason berth in 2025, finished as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and also captured back-to-back Pacific Division titles.
With Nonso Adimabua and Niko Tsakiris now focused on first-team responsibilities, the Quakes II spotlight shifts to players such as Kaedran Spivey and Edwyn Mendoza to shoulder more of the attacking load in 2026.
Quakes II will begin the new season on the road against Timbers2 on Sunday, March 1, aiming to continue their run as one of the Western Conference top contenders.
Houston Dynamo 2
Head Coach: Jeremy Hurdle (interim)
2025 Record: 9W-13L-6T, 37 points - 11th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Marcelo Santos joins Houston’s first team, Aarana signs homegrown contract at 15
Houston Dynamo 2 will enter 2026 under interim head coach Jeremy Hurdle after Marcelo Santos was promoted to the Dynamo first team as an assistant coach.
Hurdle is familiar with the role, having previously served as interim head coach back in 2024.
Houston Dynamo made news recently having signed Academy product and hometown midfielder Matthew Arana to a first-team Homegrown contract through 2028.
At just 15 years, five months, and 24 days old, Arana became the youngest first-team signing in club history. He made five MLS NEXT Pro appearances last season, recording an assist, and became the second youngest player ever to debut for Dynamo 2.
Internationally, he has represented Mexico at the U-15 level, helping El Tri capture the Concacaf U-15 Championship in 2025.
Last season, Dynamo 2 fielded the youngest roster in MLS NEXT Pro with an average age of just 18.9 years and it looks like the side will once again lean into development and youth as they aim to take another step forward in 2026.
LAFC2
Head Coach: Fabian Sandoval
2025 Record: 9W-15L-4T, 33 points - 13th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Sandoval Takes Charge; Torres Signs Through 2028
LAFC2 enter 2026 under new leadership, having appointed Fabian Sandoval as head coach over the offseason.
A long-time member of the LAFC organization, Sandoval has previously served as an assistant with LAFC2 and brings over 15 years of coaching experience, along with a USSF A License.
Sandoval has played a key role in building the club’s academy pipeline and was instrumental in the development of graduates such as Erik Dueñas, Christian Torres, Tony Leone, and Nathan Ordaz.
On the player side, LAFC2 secured one of its brightest academy prospects to an MLS NEXT Pro contract, signing midfielder Lisandro Torres through 2028. The Long Beach native was one of the standout performers at the 2025 Concacaf Boys’ U-15 Championship, scoring in the final to help Mexico secure the title againt the United States.
Torres, who joined the LAFC Academy in 2022, has consistently played above his age group and featured with the U-19 squad as a 15-year-old.
With another academy gem rising through the ranks, LAFC2 looks primed for a strong 2026.
Tacoma Defiance
Head Coach: Paulo Nagamura
2025 Record: 10W-14L-4T, 36 points - 12th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Defiance Add Paulo Nagamura as HC; Sign 14-Year-Old Winger
Tacoma Defiance enter 2026 ushering in a new era after missing out on the postseason last year, appointing Paulo Nagamura as head coach and adding veteran João Paulo to the coaching staff.
Nagamura becomes the sixth head coach in club history and brings extensive MLS experience both as a player and manager to the team.
Now, he takes charge of a Tacoma Defiance that will look to get back into the playoffs this season while also developing their talent pipeline.
One of the emerging talents in the Seattle Sounders system is 14-year-old Cris Batiz. The skilled winger made history when Tacoma announced it had signed to a professional contract, making him the youngest professional signing in Sounders organization history.
Batiz joined the academy in February of 2025 from Academia Internacional de Fútbol Leones in Honduras and made 14 MLS NEXT appearances last season before earning a professional contract.
Timbers2
Head Coach: Jack Cassidy
2025 Record: 10W-12L-6T, 38 points - 10th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Jack Cassidy appointed new head coach; strong core group returns
Portland Timbers2 enter 2026 with Jack Cassidy at the helm, becoming the club’s third head coach in their MLS NEXT Pro history.
Cassidy brings nearly 15 years of international coaching experience, most recently serving as First Team Assistant Coach and Head of Individual Development at Aalborg BK in Denmark.
A strong player core returns, led by Daniel Nuñez, who earned a January call-up to the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team. Alex Bamford, Nicklas Lund, Adolfo Enriquez, Charles Ondo, and Noah Santos also remain part of the squad, while homegrown defender Sawyer Jura moves up to the Timbers first team.
T2 added attacking depth over the offseason bringing in Daniel Cervantes, who spent some time developing in Mexico’s professional ranks, and Maximilian Kissel, a national champion at Vermont.
Ventura County FC
Head Coach: Matt Taylor
2025 Record: 11W-11L-6T, 41 points - 8th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Academy Talents Ready To Join VCFC
Ventura County FC enters 2026 continuing to build on a solid foundation.
The club once again created one of the most raucous home field advantages in the league in 2025 and secured a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. However, VCFC was unable to make a deep postseason run.
Now, head coach Matt Taylor and his staff will lean heavily on the next wave of academy talent pushing into the professional ranks.
Among the rising prospects are recent USA's FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifying standouts Aaron Medina and Vicente Garcia. Max Steelman also contributed an assist to help the United States secure qualification.
Dylan Vanney emerged as last season’s breakout academy player with five goals and three assists.
The question heading into 2026: who among these players will be next to grab the spotlight?
Whitecaps FC 2
Head Coach: Rich Fagan
2025 Record: 11W-12L-5T, 42 points - 7th in Western Conference
Notable Offseason News: Ricardo Clark heads to Seattle, WFC2 sign academy prospects to pro deals
Whitecaps FC 2 enter 2026 under new leadership after Ricardo Clark departed following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.
Clark guided the team to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025 and saw eight players earn First Team contracts during his time in charge.
Now, Rich Fagan steps in as head coach. The Whitecaps Academy Technical Director previously led the club during its USL Championship days in 2017 and has been part of the organization since 2010.
The Scottish coach has played a key role in developing talent for the organization, helping guide the rise of players such as Alphonso Davies.
WFC2 strengthened the squad this offseason with additions from their academy with Sahil Deo, Immanuel Mathe, and Yuma Tsuji signing professional contracts and joining the fold.
Fagan’s side opens the 2026 season on the road against Ventura County FC on Sunday, March 1.
