Red Bull New York II emerged at the top in the previous MLS NEXT Pro season, with Michael Bradley taking the helm midseason and helping a young group of stars realize their title dreams.
In 2026, a new crop of young stars throughout MLS NEXT Pro rise to the occasion after many of the standouts from the previous season unlocked first-team opportunities. The Eastern Conference also welcomes a new team, CT United FC, to the fold in 2026.
Here's a look at what to expect from each club in the Eastern Conference.
Northeast Division:
Chicago Fire FC II
Head Coach: Mike Matkovich
Record last year: 12W-9L-7T, 48 points - 6th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Omar Gonzalez joins as player-coach
2025 was memorable for Chicago Fire FC II. The club made progress by locking up a playoff spot, and forward Jason Shokalook claimed the Golden Boot. Shokalook has since signed a first-team deal. It could be exciting to see veteran MLS centerback Omar Gonzalez teach Fire II's youngsters in action, as the club signed him as a player/assistant coach.
Columbus Crew 2
Head Coach: Federico Higuain
Record last year: 5W-17L-6T, 22 points - 15th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Crew 2 alumnus Chase Adams signs first-team deal
Crew 2, a historically successful MLS NEXT Pro side, finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference last season. The new season brings a retooled roster, with new signings in defender Rui Aoki (a national champion with Vermont), Johann Chirinos, and former Real Monarchs and MNUFC2 man Moses Nyeman. Chase Adams, still only 17 years old, already seems like a veteran of sorts in MLS NEXT Pro. He signed a first-team contract with the Crew over the offseason.
CT United FC
Head Coach: Shavar Thomas
Notable Offseason News: CT United FC join MLS NEXT Pro as 30th team
CT United FC, a brand-new independent club, is set to begin its inaugural season with MLS veteran defender Shavar Thomas as coach. The club is ready for its introduction to the league with signings such as Panamanian defender Reyniel Perdomo, Jamaican defender Javar Stevenson, and former Revs II midfielder Alex Monis.
CT United will have a difficult road to kick off the 2026 season, with four straight road matches. Thomas, a former FC Cincinnati 2 assistant, will have a homecoming on the first day of the inaugural season as CT United visits FCC2 (Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m. ET | OneFootball, MLSNEXTPro.com).
FC Cincinnati 2
Head Coach: Sammy Castellanos (first year)
Record last year: 9W-12L-7T, 41 points - 7th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Andrei Chirila called into U.S. Youth National Team camp
FC Cincinnati 2 has a strong cohort including Gerardo Valenzuela, Andrei Chirila, Stefan Chirila, and Ademar Chavez of academy graduates who trained and played in the first-team preseason. Valenzuela and Stefan Chirila may find their way into the first-team mix, but the others could feature often in MLS NEXT Pro. New coach Sammy Castellanos also brought a few academy players into the FCC2 team and signed former Fire II goalkeeper Bryan Dowd.
New England Revolution II
Head Coach: Pablo Moreira
Record last year: 14W-7L-7T, 54 points - 3rd in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Javaun Mussenden joins U.S. U-19 National Team camp
Pablo Moreira enters the fold for Revs II as a new coach following a strong 2025 showing for the team. However, Revs II lost Liam Butts, who scored 13 goals last season, over the offseason. Forward Jayden Da could be counted on to replace the attacking production. Revs II also added new signing Carlos Zambrano, a standout at Syracuse University. It could be a big year for goalkeeper JD Gunn, who has signed a first-team deal and is gunning for a World Cup roster spot with Panama.
New York City FC II
Head Coach: Matt Pilkington
Record last year: 9W-13L-6T, 35 points - 12th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Seymour Reid named finalist for Pathway Player of the Year
New York City FC II counts on a number of promising academy prospects and, naturally, those players move onward and upward. That might have been why a young NYCFC II team missed the playoffs last year. Maximo Carrizo turns 18 on the day of NYCFC II's first game of the season; look for him and 2025 standout Sebastiano Musu to lead the midfield and attack in 2026.
Red Bulls New York II
Head Coach: Dominik Wohlert (first year)
Record last year: 17W-6L-5T, 58 points - 1st in Eastern Conference; won MLS NEXT Pro Cup
Notable Offseason News: Michael Bradley rises to first-team coaching role
It's a new era for the entire Red Bulls organization, with Dominik Wohlert taking Michael Bradley's spot as RBNY II coach.
Several youngsters, including Adri Mehmeti and Matthew Dos Santos, will gain first-team minutes under Michael Bradley. It's time for new talent to step forward at the Red Bulls II level. Wohlert can count on Mijahir Jimenez as a key returner. The club has also added Panamanians Alexander Julio and Aimar Sanchez, and Colombian Erick Lodoño as new signings.
Philadelphia Union II
Head Coach: Ryan Richter
Record last year: 15W-5L-8T, 58 points - 2nd in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Union II add defender Kaiden Moore on loan
Union II enter 2026 following a successful campaign last year, with a league-leading defense and a wealth of attacking options.
This year, Malik Jakupovic may have earned a bigger role in the attack after many strong super-sub appearances last year. CJ Olney and David Vazquez have departed, but other regulars such as Eddy Davis will build on strong previous seasons.
Toronto FC II
Head Coach: Gianni Cimini
Record last year: 10W-12L-6T, 38 points - 9th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: TFC II signs SuperDraft picks Jackson Gilman, Fletcher Bank
TFC II narrowly missed the playoffs last season. Coach Gianni Cimini is retooling the squad by signing Ivorian midfielder Abundance Salaou, goalkeeper Christopher Kalongo and defender Daniel Stampatori, and re-signing Dekwon Barrow and Micah Chisholm.
Keep an eye on forward Jahmarie Nolan, a 16-year-old who earned the Best Player award at the CONCACAF U-17 qualifiers representing Jamaica.
Southeast Division:
Atlanta United 2
Head Coach: Jose Silva
Record last year: 9W-10L-9T, 38 points - 10th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Liam Butts joins Atlanta United 2
Atlanta United 2 missed the playoffs last season and now enters 2026 with some significant changes. Forwards Rodrigo Neri and Ryan Carmichael have departed, making way for a key addition in Lawrenceville, Georgia, native Liam Butts, who excelled for Revs II last year. Head coach Jose Silva also picked up Daniel Chica and Cameron Dunbar, who both have MLS NEXT Pro experience.
Carolina Core FC
Head Coach: Donovan Ricketts
Record last year: 8W-10L-10T, 39 points - 8th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Ecuadorian midfielder Jair Caiza joins Core
Carolina Core FC are experiencing a lot of turnover in Donovan Ricketts' second season in charge. It will be interesting to see how things change given the departure of Facundo Canete, who served as the linchpin of Core for the previous two seasons. A new signing in Ecuadorian midfielder Jair Caiza impressed in preseason, and there leaves plenty of opportunity for young players to emerge.
Chattanooga FC
Head Coach: Richard Dixon (interim)
Record last year: 13W-6L-9T, 53 points - 4th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: CFC sign forward Alex Krehl
A strong Chattanooga FC roster returns largely unchanged in 2026 to build on a first-round playoff exit from 2025. Unfortunately, forward Yuval Cohen is recovering from an elbow injury that required surgery. However, midfielder Alex McGrath will come back from a long-term injury. Best XI goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic and defender Tate Robertson are back, plus attackers Damien Barker John and Daniel Mangarov.
Interim coach Richard Dixon brings a unique full-circle story. Dixon was CFC's first-ever player signing and ranks third in all-time club appearances. He retired from playing in 2024 and joined the coaching staff. Dixon took over as interim coach on Feb. 6.
Crown Legacy FC
Head Coach: Kevin Sawchak
Record last year: 7W-13L-8T, 32 points - 13th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Kevin Sawchak takes over as Crown Legacy coach
Kevin Sawchak takes charge of Crown Legacy in 2026. CLFC can count on two outstanding young prospects in 19-year-old Aron John and 18-year-old Nimfasha Berchimas. John and Berchimas will look to build on a difficult 2025 season in which they missed the playoffs.
Huntsville City FC
Head Coach: Chris O'Neal
Record last year: 14W-8L-6T, 52 points - 5th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Maximus Ekk, Julian Gaines join HCFC from Nashville SC
Huntsville City FC made the playoffs and won a playoff game for the first time in club history in 2025. The club brought forward Maximus Ekk and defender Julian Gaines back from Nashville SC and also added midfielder Moises Veliz on loan from Panamanian side Tauro FC.
Inter Miami CF II
Head Coach: Christian Raúl Ledesma
Record last year: 6W-16L-6T, 25 points - 14th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Daniel Pinter shines in U.S. U-19 Youth National Team appearances
Christian Raúl "Lobo" Ledesma takes over this season for Inter Miami II. The club struggled last season, finishing 14th. 18-year-old Daniel Pinter had a strong 2025 season, scoring nine goals, and could continue building in 2026.
Orlando City B
Head Coach: Manuel Goldberg
Record last year: 9W-13L-6T, 37 points - 11th in Eastern Conference
Notable Offseason News: Justin Ellis signs first-team deal
Orlando City B's top scorer Skakur Mohammed left for Nashville SC and another standout Justin Ellis signed a first-team contract, leaving some room for growth for new contributors in 2026. The club signed forward Pedro Leao from Flamengo and also signed academy graduates Justin Hylton and Juan Rojas.
