We are now just a few days away from the start of a new MLS season and excitement is reaching a fever pitch among fans. There is a new franchise to look out for, Los Angeles FC, led by none other than former USA coach Bob Bradley. All the big names will be returning, from foreign imports like David Villa, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Kaka to American talent such as Tim Howard, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. The battle to win the MLS Cup will be typically intense, and here are the leading contenders to seize glory:
Jonathan Osorio and Jozy Altidore will be huge parts of the Toronto FC attack in 2018 (photo credit: Corbin Elliott)
Toronto FC
Last year Toronto became the first team to ever win a domestic treble when they clinched the MLS Cup, the Eastern Conference Championship and the Supporters’ Shield. They broke the record for the most MLS regular season points ever recorded and then became the first Canadian team to win the MLS Cup. When you look at their roster, it is easy to see why, as it is absolutely stacked with talent. It is led by Sebastian Giovinco, who made 93 appearances for Serie A powerhouse Juventus and earned 23 caps for Italy during a stellar career in Europe. They are also blessed with the talents of Altidore and Bradley, and they have strengthened in the off-season by signing Gregory Van Der Wiel, Ager Aketxe, Auro, and Caleb Patterson-Sewell. Check Bovada for odds on all MLS teams and you will see that Toronto is the favourite to defend its crown and justifiably so.
Atlanta United and Jeff Larentowicz will hope to avoid any sophomore slumps in their second season in Major League Soccer (Photo by Diego G Diaz).
Atlanta United FC
The team most likely to challenge Toronto in 2018 is Atlanta, according to the sportsbooks, which has made it the second favorite. Miguel Almiron enjoyed a sensational 2017 in the Atlanta midfield and the Parahuay international will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Venezuelan striker Josef Martinez also banged in an astonishing 19 goals in 20 games, putting New England and Orlando to the sword with back-to-back hat-tricks, and if he remains injury free Atlanta will be in with a great chance.
Will Clint Dempsey (right) provide the goals for Seattle in 2018 (photo credit: Matt Warso)
Seattle Sounders
The Sounders made it all the way to the MLS Cup Final in 2017, only to succumb to a 2-0 defeat against Toronto. But Seattle still enjoyed an extremely strong season. They have the legendary Clint Dempsey up front and he can absolutely demolish MLS defenses after lighting up the Premiership and the USA national team for several years. There is also plenty of flair and steel from Osvaldo Alonso, Nicolas Lodeiro and others, and Seattle is expected to be a force in the playoffs.
Will year three be the trick for David Villa and NYCFC (Photo credit: Nelson Lucindo/Prost Amerika)
New York City FC
With David Villa up front, New York City are always in with a great chance of winning every game. The diminutive forward was sensational for Barcelona and Spain during his magnificent career, and he continues to run rings around MLS defenders. He is the fulcrum of a dangerous attack at New York City and he registered 22 goals last year, but he should improve upon that tally this time around as he still has the movement, dynamism and finishing ability to find space and bury chances.
With Chris Seitz gone, FC Dallas will rely heavily on Jesse Gonzalez in 2018 (photo credit: Corbin Elliott)
FC Dallas
Halfway through the 2017 season, Dallas was flying high after beating Toronto 3-1 and topping the Western Conference. This was a team that had won two trophies the previous year and was stacked with international talent. Then a meltdown of epic proportions occurred: Dallas went two months without a win, dropped to seventh in the table and ended up missing the playoffs. Nothing like it had ever happened before in MLS history and fans must still be scratching their heads in bemusement. The talent is clearly there, so if the mentality improves, Dallas has a chance of returning to the top this season.
Bastian Schweinsteiger will have one final match at the Allianz Arena in August (photo credit: Don MacGregor)
The Rest
The Chicago Fire has a terrific roster thanks to Golden Boot winner and Hungarian international Nemanja Nikolic, former Bayern Munich and Man Utd midfielder Schweinsteiger and Dax McCarty, and it will be dangerous again. Never write off the New York Red Bulls or the LA Galaxy, and the Portland Timbers, led by player of the season Diego Valeri will also be in the mix. It looks to be an open league this year and it should prove to be another thrilling ride.
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