This past weekend, Major League Soccer’s regular season kicked off the 2026 regular season, there
Among connections to Pittsburgh making news on MLS and MLS Next Pro rosters, included a number of players including:
former Duquesne standout Jayden Da earning a short term contract and call-up to New England Revolution, where he was included in the 18 player lineup sheet in the Revs season opener at DC United
former Pitt captain Jackson Gilman, officially signed a deal with Toronto FC II, after spending time in preseason with TFC’s first team
former Pitt goalkeeper, Cabral Carter, a native of Los Angeles, CA, signed a homegrown deal with LA FC, after spending 2025 with LA FC 2
Other recent Pittsburgh area connections with MLS clubs we will continue to monitor include Michael Sullivan (Deer Lakes / Pitt / Steel City FC), who moved from Toronto FC II to FC Cincinnati 2 in the offseason; Donovan Phillip, (NC State / Kiski School & Independence FC / BVB Pittsburgh) who was drafted in 2025, but opted to go back to college, where he had standout season with NC State winning the MAC Hermann Award as NCAA Men’s Soccer most outstanding player, then signed in January with Colorado Rapids; former Pitt standout Niklas Sorensen (drafted by Real Salt Lake in 2nd round) and Koven Johnson (Steel City FC / High Point University) who was also drafted (3rd Round) by Colorado.
New England Revolution call-up Jayden Da for opener at DC United
Da, who caught the attention of MLS scouts with an outstanding season after transferring to Duquesne in 2024, has been called up by the Revolution on a Short-Term Agreement, making him eligible for selection in tonight’s season opener at Nashville SC.
Da, 23, featured on New England’s MLS matchday roster for the first time on Saturday.
The striker appeared in New England’s preseason finale on Feb. 14 against Hartford Athletic, tallying an assist in 30 minutes of action.
The Boston, Mass. native missed the entire 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign after suffering a torn ACL. Prior to joining Revolution II, Da notched nine goals and five assists for Columbus Crew 2 during the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, including two goals and one assist in three postseason appearances.
New England kicked off the season with a 4-1 loss at DC United. Da was available for selection, but did not play.
Jackson Gilman officially signs with Toronto FC II
Schwenksville, Pa. native and former Pitt standout Jackson Gilman will be starting his professional career north of the border, signing an MLS Next Pro deal with Toronto FC II.
Gilman, 21, was drafted 36th overall by Toronto FC in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft after a standout college career at the University of Pittsburgh. He played in MLS Next Pro prior to leaving for college in 2022, making 8 appearances for Philadelphia Union II.
He’s also spent time playing for West Chester United – he was part of the squad that won the Hank Steinbrecher Cup in Arizona in 2023 – and with the Philadelphia Union Development squad in NPSL. Prior to joining the Philadelphia Union Academy – where he starred as both a central defender and outside back – Gilman spent time with West-Mont United. He graduated high school from YSC Academy in 2022.
Gilman’s signing was announced Friday along with midfielder Fletcher Bank.
“Fletcher and Jackson both come from distinguished collegiate programs that value their abilities on the field and their character off the field,” Toronto FC Technical Director Sean Rubio said in a news release announcing the signings.
“We’re excited to have both players committed to our project as the next step in their development and we’re equally committed to supporting them every step of the way.”
Cabral Carter signs three-year deal with LAFC
In case you missed it, LAFC signed homegrown and former Pitt goalkeeper Cabral Carter through 2027 with options through 2029, the club announced in January.
The 21-year-old joined the first team after recording four clean sheets in 21 appearances across all competitions last season for MLS NEXT Pro affiliate LAFC 2.
A charter member of the LAFC Academy in 2016, Carter spent the 2022 season with USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights. He also featured at Pitt from 2022-24 — where he was the primary starter for the Panthers during the 2024 campaign which saw a deep run to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight.
Carter was available for selection, as a substitute for two LAFC’s competitive matches thus far in 2026, including CONCACAF Champions Cup match vs Real Club Deportivo España on February 17.
LAFC’s 2026 MLS season began on Feb. 21 against Lionel Messi and reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — in a match played before a record-breaking crowd of 75,673 fans, with LAFC prevailing 3-0.
John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).
