It's Wednesday night. You're trying to lock in your fantasy lineup or maybe just checking if your team’s star DP is actually going to suit up for the weekend. You head to the official league site, hit the MLS soccer injury report, and... it’s blank. Or it’s two weeks old.
Frustrating, right?
Honestly, the way Major League Soccer handles injury transparency is kind of a mess. Unlike the NFL, where you can practically see a player's X-rays in real-time, MLS operates in a bit of a gray area. But if you know where to look and how to decode the "coach-speak," you can actually stay ahead of the curve.
The Reality of the Official Player Availability Report
Basically, the league has an official "Player Availability Report" that they require teams to submit. In 2026, the rules are stricter than they used to be, mostly because of the league's tie-ins with gambling data and Apple TV.
Teams generally have to drop an initial report on Wednesday for a Saturday match. Then they follow up with a daily update. But here’s the kicker: coaches hate giving away tactical info. If a winger has a "lower body injury," that could mean anything from a broken toe to a catastrophic ACL tear.
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You’ve gotta be a bit of a detective. If a player is listed as "Questionable," they’re usually a 50/50 toss-up. "Doubtful" almost always means "see you next week." But "Out" is the only one you can truly take to the bank.
Recent Names on the Mend
Right now, as we head into the 2026 season, the big story is Riqui Puig. The LA Galaxy star had a nightmare start to the year. After missing most of 2025 following an ACL repair that didn't quite take, it was confirmed earlier this month that he’s heading back under the knife. He’s essentially out for the entire 2026 campaign. That’s a massive hole for the Galaxy to fill, and it's forced them to look at putting him on the season-ending injury list just to free up a roster spot.
Then there’s Jacob Shaffelburg at LAFC. He just had surgery to fix a degenerative issue. The word is he’ll be out for about eight weeks.
Why the Report Always Feels "Late"
You'll notice that the official MLS soccer injury report often feels like old news by the time it hits your screen. That's because beat reporters are usually faster.
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If you want the real dirt, you have to stalk Twitter (or X, whatever) and follow guys like Tom Bogert or the local beat writers. They’re the ones standing at the training ground fence with binoculars. If a player isn't training with the main group on a Tuesday, they probably aren't starting on Saturday, regardless of what the "Questionable" tag says on Friday.
Common MLS Injury Trends
Soccer is brutal on the legs. In a multi-year study of MLS injuries, researchers found that midfielders actually take the biggest beating.
- Hamstring Strains: These account for over 12% of all injuries in the league. They're the silent season-killers because they're so easy to re-aggravate.
- Ankle Sprains: About 8.5% of reports.
- Adductor Strains: The groin issues that keep players from 100% sprint speed.
Interestingly, match injuries are about four times more frequent than training injuries. It makes sense—the intensity of a 2026 MLS match, with the travel and the varying pitch surfaces, is just different.
Navigating the Apple TV Era
Since all games shifted to the Apple TV ecosystem, the league has tried to streamline how this data is presented. If you're watching a pre-game show on the Apple TV app, they’ll show a graphic with the "Out" and "Questionable" players.
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But don't expect a deep dive into the medical specifics.
MLS is still very protective of player privacy. They won't tell you if a player is out for "personal reasons" or if there’s a locker room rift—it all just gets lumped into "Out."
How to Use This Info Like a Pro
If you’re actually trying to use the MLS soccer injury report for something practical, like fantasy or just being the smartest person in your supporters' group, you need a system.
Don't just look at the names. Look at the positions.
If a team has three "Out" defenders and one "Questionable" goalkeeper, they’re going to play a low block. They’re scared. They’re going to park the bus.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the "Training Gallery": Most clubs post photos of training sessions on their social media 48 hours before a game. If your favorite player isn't in any of the 30 photos, start worrying.
- Watch the Warm-ups: If you're at the stadium or watching the "MLS 360" whip-around show, pay attention to who is doing the full-speed shuttle runs. If a "Questionable" player is just standing around or doing light stretches, they’re likely just there to fill a bench spot.
- Bookmark the Official Link: Keep the official availability page open, but refresh it on Friday evenings for the most "accurate" (legal) version of the truth.
- Listen to Local Podcasts: Local radio hosts often get the "off the record" tips about who looked "hobbled" leaving the facility.
The injury report is a tool, not a bible. It’s the starting point for the conversation, but in a league as chaotic as MLS, the real story is usually found between the lines of the official PDF.