Major League Soccer opened fan and media voting for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, set to be hosted at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, July 29.
Fan voting will close at 10:59 pm CT on Thursday, May 21. Fans can cast their ballots here.
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The top 11 players from the combined fan and media vote will be named All-Stars. An additional 13 players will be selected by All-Star head coach Dean Smith, while two players will be added by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Before you start building your dream ballots, a few notes about how the voting process worked. Ballots must be in a 4-3-3 formation: one goalkeeper, one left back, two center backs, one right back, one defensive midfielder, two attacking midfielders, and three forwards/wingers. The top players in each position from the combined vote will be named All-Stars.
Additionally, players must have played at least 50% of their team’s games this season at the time of voting, which narrows the pool and eliminates some big names.
This is not a comprehensive list of the best players in the league, and will certainly look very different from the Best XI ballot at the end of the year.
With all that out of the way, here we go!
Goalkeeper: Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
There were multiple names to pick from, but Matt Turner became a very clear choice. According to American Soccer Analysis's G-xG, he has denied nearly seven goals. He was also the perfect combination of facing enough shots, but not too many, so the numbers aren't skewed.
Others receiving consideration: Brian Schwake (Nashville SC), Chris Brady (Chicago Fire)
Left back: Jamar Ricketts (San Jose Earthquakes)
Bruce Arena's San Jose Earthquakes have been a great team and fun to watch. Jamar Ricketts has been a key piece, filling multiple positions and contributing on both sides of the ball.
Others receiving consideration: Peyton Miller (New England Revolution), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake)
Center backs: Mathías Laborda (Vancouver Whitecaps), Jeisson Palacios (Nashville SC)
You'd have to work really hard to convince me that there's a better center back in MLS than Jeisson Palacios at the moment. Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Nashville SC tied for the fewest goals conceded in MLS. The Colombian is not only part of that, but he is also a reason for it.
Mathías Laborda has been impressive defensively, starting 11 of the 13 Vancouver matches thus far. He also has seven goal contributions, making him valuable on both sides of the ball.
Others receiving consideration: Jackson Regan (Seattle Sounders), Maxwell Woledzi (Nashville SC), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Mamadou Fofana (New England Revolution)
Right back: Andy Nájar (Nashville SC)
Andy Nájar had a slower start to the season, but after a few games, he returned to his best XI form. He is a driving force on the ball and the main outlet for Nashville SC.
Others receiving consideration: Édier Ocampo (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Defensive midfielder: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
There were a few choices here, but none that have been as impressive as Sebastian Berhalter. Despite playing deeper in midfield, he already has 13 goal contributions this season. At this point, it would be a snub if he doesn't make the World Cup roster for the USMNT.
Others receiving consideration: Beau LeRoux (San Jose Earthquakes), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC)
Attacking midfielders: Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
I don't think I need to do much explaining here. Hany Mukhtar and Carles Gil have been the driving force and soul of their teams. I can list all the stats and accolades, but just watch a game for either team, and I think you'll agree with the picks.
It was very hard not to pick Zavier Gozo because he's an incredible story, but I think at the moment, those two are more important to their teams. Niko Tsakiris is another one, but his unfortunate injury helped my decision a bit.
Others receiving consideration: Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Nicolás Fernández-Mercau (New York City FC)
Forwards: Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire)
I can hear the Nashville fans screaming "SAM SURRIDGE," but sorry, I can't vote for a player who's played only 440 minutes. Availability is the best ability; that's the reason I didn't vote for Lionel Messi as MVP in 2023.
Speaking of the Argentine, he has continued last season's form and maybe even gotten better individually. Alongside him are Hugo Cuypers and Petar Musa. The Belgian has 13 goals, including an impressive 10-game scoring streak. Musa might just be the best all-around number nine in the league.
Others receiving consideration: Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps), Preston Judd (San Jose Earthquakes), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York)
