ATLANTA UNITED
2020 Record: 6-13-4, 12th in the East
Coach: Gabriel Heinze
New Faces: MF Franco Ibarra, MF Santiago Sosa, D Alan Franco
Moved On: MF Jeff Larentowicz, MF Jon Gallagher, MF Eric Remedi
Prospects: Josef Martinez will work his way back after missing last year with a torn ACL in his left knee. He is unlikely to be 100% at the start of the season, but once he does regain full fitness, he’s a proven force. In 2018, the Venezuelan striker was the league’s MVP and Golden Boot winner. Santiago Sosa signed with United in February and looks to be an emerging talent. Atlanta won just six games last season and scored only 23 goals, second fewest in the league. The team missed out on the playoffs for the first time since joining the league.
CHICAGO FIRE
2020 Record: 5-10-8, 11th in the East
Coach: Raphael Wicky
New Faces: F Chinonso Offor, F Stanislav Ivanov, D Jhon Espinoza
Moved On: F CJ Sapong, MF Djordje Mihailovic
Prospects: The Fire won just five games last season, playing home games at an empty Soldier Field. The team’s offseason adjustments, however, weren’t dramatic. But that’s expected as Swiss coach Raphael Wicky enters his second season looking to install his system. Chinonso Offor is an intriguing addition. The 20-year-old Nigerian comes from the top Latvian league. Striker Robert Beric, who had 12 goals last season, remains Chicago’s scoring threat.
FC CINCINNATI
2020 Record: 4-15-4, last in the East
Coach: Jaap Stam
New Faces: F Brenner, MF Luciano Acosta, F Isaac Atanga
Moved On: D Kendall Waston, D Andrew Gutman
Prospects: The additions of Brazilian forward Brenner and forward Luciano Acosta show Cincinnati is poised to take its next step in Year 3 after finishing in last place in the East for two straight seasons. In 2018, Acosta had his best MLS season with 10 goals and 17 assists. But perhaps the most anticipation surrounds Brenner, a 21-year-old who came from top-tier Sao Paulo, where he scored 21 goals last year. Cincy can use the offensive help. The team had a league-low 12 goals last year.
COLUMBUS CREW
2020 Record: 12-6-5, 3rd in the East, MLS Cup Champions
Coach: Caleb Porter
New Faces: MF Kevin Molino, F Bradley Wright-Philips
Moved On: MF Sebastian Berhalter (loan), F Youness Mokhtar
Prospects: Last season’s MLS Cup champions should contend for another title. In addition to the steady contribution of Gyasi Zardes, there’s Lucas Zelarayan, who had six goals and four assists in just 16 appearances during the regular season. He added a pair of goals in the 3-0 victory over Seattle in the championship game. Goalkeeper Eloy Room is among the best in the league and had the MLS Save of the Year for his November double save against Orlando City. On top of that, the Crew are looking forward to opening their new stadium in July.
D.C. UNITED
2020 Record: 5-12-6, 13th in the East
Coach: Hernan Losada
New Faces: F Jovanny Bolivar, F Nigel Robertha, F Adrien Perez
Moved On: D Axel Sjoberg, F Gelman Rivas
Prospects: United will have a new look under new Argentine coach Hernan Losada, who replaced longtime coach Ben Olsen. Losada, at 38, is the league’s youngest head coach. But the team made few other moves. Attacking midfielder Edison Flores was hampered by injuries last season. Meanwhile, Julian Gressel is still looking to revive the form he had with Atlanta. Kevin Paredes was a rookie last season at just 17, and started nine games. The issues at the start of the season will be on defense. Veteran center back Steve Birnbaum and goalkeeper Bill Hamid are both out with injuries.
INTER MIAMI
2020 Record: 7-13-3, 10th in the East, lost to Nashville in play-in round
Coach: Phil Neville
New Faces: D Kelvin Leerdam, MF Gregore, D Kieran Gibbs
Moved On: D Andres Reyes, MF Wil Trapp
Prospects: Phil Neville, who coached England’s women in the 2019 World Cup, reunites with former teammate and current Miami owner David Beckham after the team parted ways with coach Diego Alonso. The team also brought in new sporting director Chris Henderson. Neville will be looking to spark designated players Rodolfo Pizarro and Gonzalo Higuain. An interesting possibility: Enzo Zidane, son of Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, has been training with the team. Defender Kieran Gibbs will join at the end of the Premier League season.
CF MONTREAL
2020 Record: 8-13-2, 9th in the East, lost to New England in the play-in round
Coach: Wilfried Nancy
New Faces: MF Djordje Mihailovic, MF Victor Wanyama, D Kiki Struna
Moved On: D Rod Fanni, F Bojan, F Maxi Urruti, D Jukka Raitala
Prospects: Club de Foot Montreal has rebranded, so no more Impact. Wilfried Nancy has taken over as coach after Thierry Henry’s unexpected departure for family reasons at the end of February. Nancy has been an assistant in Montreal since 2016. As one of the league’s three Canadian teams, Montreal has relocated to Florida to start the season because of coronavirus-related travel issues. Look for Kenyan Victor Wanyama, who came to Montreal via Tottenham Hotspur, to take on more of a leadership role. Romell Quioto and goalkeeper Clement Diop also provide veteran guidance.
NASHVILLE SC
2020 Record: 8-7-8, 7th in the East, lost in the conference semifinals to Columbus
Coach: Gary Smith
New Faces: D Jack Maher, F CJ Sapong, F Rodrigo Pineiro
Moved On: MF Derrick Jones
Prospects: Nashville became known for its defense in its first season, with Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman and veteran midfielder Dax McCarty setting the tone. But the team will have to up its output on offense after scoring just 24 goals last season, 12th in the East. The addition of journeyman CJ Sapong and Uruguayan Rodrigo Pineiro should help address the scoring deficit. Nashville missed out on the MLS is Back tournament last summer because of coronavirus cases, and the team was thwarted again when three preseason games were called off because of COVID-19 concerns in Florida.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
2020 Record: 8-7-8, 8th in the East, lost in the conference final to Columbus
Coach: Bruce Arena
New Faces: D Christian Mafla, MF Arnór Traustason, D A. J. DeLaGarza
Moved On: F Cristian Penilla, MF Diego Fagundez, MF Kelyn Rowe
Prospects: Perhaps the surprise of last season’s playoffs, Bruce Arena’s Revs made it to the conference final before they were stopped by eventual champion Columbus. When Spanish midfielder Carles Gil was hampered by injuries last season, New England missed his chemistry with fellow DP Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa. Iceland’s Arnór Traustason is an intriguing addition for Arena, who heads into this third season as the Revolution’s coach.
NEW YORK CITY FC
2020 Record: 12-8-3, 5th in the East, lost in the first round to Orlando
Coach: Ronny Deila
New Faces: MF Alfredo Morales, D Malte Amundsen, D Chris Gloster
Moved On: MF Alex Ring, MF Ronald Matarrita
Prospects: Maximiliano Moralez is healthy after being hampered by injuries last season. But NYCFC will have to wait for Heber, who is still rehabbing from a torn ACL. Heber had 15 goals in 2019. While the group skews older, NYCFC is still solid. The late addition of lfredo Morales from Fortuna Dusseldorf adds more depth in the midfield after the departure of Alex Ring. Coach Ronny Deila is starting his second season with the team.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
2020 Record: 9-9-5, 6th in the East, eliminated in the first round by the Crew
Coach: Gerhard Struber
New Faces: F Fabio, D Tom Edwards
Moved On: D Tim Parker, MF Kaku
Prospects: With a new forward named Fabio and coach Gerhard Struber looking to shake things up in his first full season, the Red Bulls could be a fun team to watch. Keep an eye on 17-year old midfielder Caden Clark, who scored a goal in his debut last season and is already turning heads in the league. Defender Tom Edwards is on loan from Stoke City. There’s been some drama over Kaku, who is playing for a Saudi team. An arbitrator recently said Kaku remains under contract in MLS, but Kaku left New York thinking the club hadn’t exercised its option and he was a free agent.
ORLANDO CITY
2020 Record: 11-4-8, 4th in the East, lost in the conference semifinals to New England
Coach: Oscar Pareja
New Faces: F Alexandre Pato, MF Silvestre van der Water
Moved On: F Dom Dwyer
Prospects: Orlando City was something of a surprise last season in coach Pareja’s first season in charge. At 34, Brazilian Nani shows no signs of slowing down. The addition of Pato adds more firepower on top. Chris Mueller led the team with 10 goals last season. And there was the emergence of Mauricio Pereyra, who had eight assists. There’s still a question about whether Daryl Dike, currently on loan to Barnsley, will be back this season or get snatched up by a European club.
PHILADELPHIA UNION
2020 Record: 14-4-5, 1st in the East, lost in the opening round to New England
Coach: Jim Curtin
New Faces: D Stuart Findlay, MF Leon Flach
Moved On: MF Brendan Aaronson, D Ray Gaddis, D Mark McKenzie
Prospects: Last season’s winners of the Supporters Shield were shocked by the New England Revolution in their opening playoff match. Then there was a European exodus: Brendan Aaronson left for Austria and Mark McKenzie headed to Belgium. Anthony Fontana will most likely move into Aaronson’s role, while Jakob Glesnes takes over for McKenzie. Sergio Santos is getting better every year. There’s a curiosity factor with Aaronson’s brother, Paxton. And the Union have MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake. Veteran leader Ray Gaddis retired.
TORONTO FC
2020 Record: 13-5-5, 2nd in the East, lost in the first round to Nashville
Coach: Chris Armas
New Faces: D Matt Di Rosa
Moved On: F Pablo Piatti, D Laurent Ciman
Prospects: Chris Armas takes over as coach of the Reds after Greg Vanney went to the LA Galaxy. Vets Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore remain in Toronto, which has moved for the start of the season to Florida because of travel restrictions between the United States and Canada. The team is largely unchanged from last season, with no big offseason signings. Look for Toronto to try to fill an open DP slot. Midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo, the reigning league MVP, provides the offensive spark with nine goals and 10 assists last season.
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