ATLANTA (Oct. 8, 2026) — MLS NEXT Pro announced today that a league-leading three Atlanta United 2 players, Dominik Chong Qui, Cameron Dunbar and Arif Kovac, were named to the 2026 Best XI. Additionally, Chong Qui was named one of three finalists for NEXT Pro Defender of the Year. MLS NEXT Pro Best XI recognizes the league's outstanding players at each position and was voted on by the Head Coaches and Chief Soccer Officers at MLS NEXT Pro Clubs, as well as league broadcasters and content team members.
Chong Qui, an Atlanta United Homegrown, earns his first NEXT Pro Best XI recognition after developing with ATL UTD 2 since 2024. His 26 starts, three goals, three assists, 31 key passes and 11 clearances this season are all career highs. Among his ATL UTD 2 teammates, Chong Qui ranked top three in games played, starts, shots, shots on target, key passes and fouls suffered.
Dunbar led the way with 72 key passes and 13 assists, tying the all-time single-season league assist record and earning himself the 2026 Playmaker of the Year Award. Alongside his 13 assists, Dunbar added nine goals and led all NEXT Pro midfielders with 22 total goal contributions.
Kovac led NEXT Pro with 20 goals, the joint-second-highest season total in league history, and 23 goal contributions. Prior to his 2026 Best XI selection, he took home the 2026 Golden Boot, scored a record five goals in a 6-2 victory over Huntsville City FC on May 16 and was named Player of the Matchweek for Matchweek 11 and 19.
ATL UTD 2 will host CT United FC at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground for its first-ever playoff match on Friday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. Tickets remain available for purchase HERE.
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. All 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoff matches and MLS NEXT Pro Cup (November 6-8) will air live on OneFootball and MLSNEXTPro.com.
2026 MLS NEXT PRO BEST XI
Goalkeeper (1):
Sam Joseph – Portland Timbers2
Defenders (3):
Jules Bery – Austin FC II
Dominik Chong Qui – Atlanta United 2
Nicklas Lund – Portland Timbers2
Midfielders (4):
Jorge Alastuey – Austin FC II
Palmer Ault – St. Louis CITY2
Cameron Dunbar – Atlanta United 2
Eric Izoita – Portland Timbers 2
Forwards (3):
Kevin Gbamblé – Columbus Crew 2
Arif Kovac – Atlanta United 2
Alex Krehl – Chattanooga FC
