NEW YORK, NEW YORK (October 8, 2026) – MLS NEXT Pro announced today the winners of four 2026 regular season awards. The Best XI recognizes the League’s outstanding players at each position, with all 11 players earning the honor for the first time this season. Goalkeeper of the Year, Sam Joseph, helped Portland Timbers2 clinch its first-ever MLS NEXT Pro postseason berth by securing a League-leading 12 clean sheets. Defender of the Year, Jules Bery, anchored an Austin FC II defense that conceded the fewest goals (21) in 2026. MLS NEXT Pro also honored the Match Officials of the Year for excellence in officiating.
The Best XI, Goalkeeper and Defender of the Year awards were voted on by the Head Coaches and Chief Soccer Officers at MLS NEXT Pro Clubs, as well as League broadcasters and content team members. Match Officials of the Year were determined by Club coaching staff assessments.
2026 MLS NEXT PRO GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Portland Timbers2’s Sam Joseph provided the safest pair of hands in goal during the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro regular season, backstopping the No. 2 seed (57 points, 14-4-10) in the Western Conference to its first postseason appearance in club history and the Pacific Division title. Joseph registered 12 clean sheets throughout the season, helping Timbers2 allow the second-fewest goals (29) and record the second-fewest losses (4) in 2026.
Joseph joined Timbers2 ahead of the 2026 season from Virginia Tech, where he made 16 appearances for the Hokies and tallied a record of 7-5-4, including seven shutouts in his senior season. Prior to that, Joseph played three seasons at UCLA. In 2026 MLS NEXT Pro action, Joseph started all 23 of his appearances while recording 2,070 minutes and 65 saves. His heroics in goal earned MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month honors in two consecutive months (July and August) as Timbers2 went undefeated during the two-month span (6-0-3).
Finalists for Goalkeeper of the Year: Chattanooga FC’s Eldin Jakupović and Huntsville City FC’s Will Mackay.
2026 MLS NEXT PRO DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Central defender Jules Bery was the defensive talisman for Austin FC II (65 points, 19-3-6) during the 2026 season, playing a key role for a staunch defense that allowed the fewest goals in the League (21). The Texas club’s impressive defensive record helped the team achieve the best goal differential in the League (+33) as well as secure the No. 1 seed overall and in the Western Conference. Austin FC II was one of just two teams to record double-digit victories at home (10-2-2) and surpassed all other teams with the most victories during the season (19), helping the club claim the Frontier Division title. Bery appeared in all but one of Austin FC II’s 28 matches, registering the team’s second-highest minutes played (2,309). In the attacking third, Bery contributed four assists and an 88% passing rate throughout the season, helping the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Champions return to the postseason for the first time since winning the title.
Originally from Blois, France, Bery joined Austin FC II ahead of the 2025 season from the academy of Ligue 1 club AS Monaco (France), where he featured for the club’s U-19 and U-21 teams. Since joining Austin FC II, Bery has started 41 of his 42 appearances, registering 3,515 minutes of action over two seasons.
Finalists for Defender of the Year: Atlanta United 2’s Dominik Chong Qui and Portland Timbers2’s Nicklas Lund.
2026 MLS NEXT PRO BEST XI
All members of this season’s Best XI were selected for the first time. Chattanooga FC’s Eldin Jakupović and Tate Robertson earn honorable mentions this season at goalkeeper and defender, respectively, after being named to the 2025 Best XI. The 11 players represent six Clubs in MLS NEXT Pro, all of which will participate in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro postseason, beginning this weekend with the newly introduced Play-in Round.
Portland Timbers2 and Atlanta United 2 are the most represented clubs in the Best XI with three players each, followed by Austin FC II with two. With Palmer Ault’s selection to the Best XI, St Louis CITY2 has had a player honored every season since the League’s inception except one (2023): Kyle Hiebert – 2022, Michael Wentzel and Mykhi Joyner – 2024, Gabriel Mikina and Mykhi Joyner – 2025.
Goalkeeper (1):
Sam Joseph – Portland Timbers2
Honorable Mention: Eldin Jakupović – Chattanooga FC and Will Mackay – Huntsville City FC
Defenders (3):
Jules Bery – Austin FC II
Dominik Chong Qui – Atlanta United 2
Nicklas Lund – Portland Timbers2
Honorable Mention: Andre Applewhaite – CT United FC
Midfielders (4):
Jorge Alastuey – Austin FC II
Palmer Ault – St Louis CITY2
Cameron Dunbar – Atlanta United 2
Eric Izoita – Portland Timbers2
Honorable Mention: Cooper Flax – New York City FC II and Tate Robertson – Chattanooga FC
Forwards (3):
Kevin Gbamblé – Columbus Crew 2
Arif Kovac – Atlanta United 2
Alex Krehl – Chattanooga FC
Honorable Mention: Hugo Mbongue – Crown Legacy FC
2026 MLS NEXT PRO MATCH OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR
After every MLS NEXT Pro match, a member of each Club’s coaching staff evaluates the performances of the match officials. The cumulative assessments determined the top officials for 2026:
Referee:Â Anthony Sobolevsky
Assistant Referee:Â Tyler Bost
Fourth Official: Victor Borges
ADDITIONAL AWARDS:
Following the conclusion of the regular season on September 20, MLS NEXT Pro announced the winners of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot and Playmaker of the Year awards: Atlanta United 2 claimed both awards as Arif Kovac’s 20 goals secured the Golden Boot while Cameron Dunbar earned Playmaker of the Year honors for matching the all-time League record for assists in a single season (13).
MLS NEXT Pro MVP presented by adidas, Pathway Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year will be announced in the coming weeks.
