With MLS is Back over, and the Portland Timbers crowned champions, MLS has resumed a return to regular season play.
The first match kicked off on Wednesday night, in a match between FC Dallas and Nashville SC after both teams had to withdraw from MLS is Back tournament. Both teams will fill out the three group stages games missed out from MLS is Back with three early games in this return to normal play.
With COVID cases spiking in certain US regions, MLS has scheduled it’s two conferences into six smaller regions to limit long-distance travel.
With an uneven way to distribute the 26 teams, there will end up being some inter-region play to offset certain discrepancies. This concerns situations like geographic rivalries (Colorado-Salt Lake) and region size (Central has just three teams and will interplay with the East).
This will be a comprehensive look at each region and how each team lines up for the rest of the season with one eye on the playoffs and MLS Cup, with MLS Cup odds found at Sports Betting Dime.
Here is how each region stacks up:
ATLANTIC: (DC United, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union)
This is potentially one of the hardest regions, containing the first, third, fifth, sixth and seventh placed teams in the east last season.
Of course, this is a new year, and 2020 is full of surprises.
Through the first five games, three of these teams have compiled just a single win, including last seasons regular season conference champions, NYCFC.
While the Philadelphia Union (+1100) sits the highest in the current standings, has best odds in the region to lift the cup, and performed the best in MLS is Back – reaching the semifinals – it’s difficult to place them as clear favorites in this region.
Sure the squad is clicking right now, but it looks like depth could be an issue going forward. If either Brenden Aaronson or Mark McKenzie leaving during this secondary transfer window, Philadelphia doesn’t have players who can step into those spots as sure-thing starters.
Any injuries could also set the squad back that only started three players outside of the normal XI (Jacob Glesnes, Warren Creavalle, Ilsinho). It might be a chance, however, for head coach Jim Curtin to dip into his bank of academy players. MLS is Back saw small cameos for players like Jack de Vries (18), Anthony Fontana (20), and Matt Real (21). Meanwhile, Brenden Aaronson’s younger brother, Paxton, has shown his quality for Union II.
After finishing third last season, Philadelphia fans have reason for optimism this season, but with that usually Philly pessimism just waiting for something to eventually go wrong.
If everything goes as planned, the Union has one of the most balanced squads in MLS.
NYCFC (+1600) should be favorites for this region and the entire Eastern Conference after finishing first in the east last year, but with new coach Ronny Deila still learning the machinations of MLS, he could face the slow start that plagued Dome Torrent before him.
NYC eked the last 3rd placed MLS is Back group-stage spot, and even won the Round of 16 match against Toronto before losing to eventual champions the Portland Timbers.
The entire starting XI return from last season, and the attacking quality between players such as Heber, Maxi Moralez, Valentin Castellanos, Alexandru Mitrita can match that of any in the league. Meanwhile, Jesus Medina and Gary Mackay-Steven both performed well in MLS is Back, and alongside Ismael Tajouri-Shradi will challenge the other four’s starting roles while also providing exceptional quality from the bench.
The same back four returns from last season, with the stalwart Alexander Ring continuing to pace things in the midfield. James Sands is the one that all USMNT fans should be on the lookout for as he continues to demonstrate his value as both a midfielder and defender
On the other side of the city (or state line), The New York Red Bulls (+4000) could be entering a crisis, or maybe just a rebuild after failing to escape the MLS is Back group stage.
With Alex Muyl recently departing for Nashville, the pool of attacking players continues to thin for the Red Bulls.
Tom Barlow and Brian White, two draft picks in the 2018 Superdraft, continue to fight for the starting striker spot
The attacking midfield trio of Daniel Royer, Kaku and Florian Valot seems steady enough for New York, but with Alex Muyl gone, Marc Rzatkowski and a batch of unproven academy players is all that remains for depth options.
After producing RB Leipzig’s UCL quarterfinal savior, Tyler Adams, the Red Bull academy seems to have started to run dry. Omir Fernandez (21) and Ben Mines (20) are two who many have high hopes for, but the roster lacks other academy products.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers Sporting Director, Kevin Thelwell, has begun to make some additions to the squad, like loaning RB Salzburg forward Samuel Tetteh and buying young DP Dru Yearwood from EFL Championshp side, Brentford.
Recent signings from Red Bull haven’t panned out, however. With Mathias Jorgensen, Tim Parker, and Mandele Egbo under performing or not even playing.
It’s not a time for optimism for Red Bull, and with a region full of playoff hopefuls, the playoffs might be out of reach.
The New England Revolution (+2,200) project under Bruce Arena is one of the most interesting in MLS.
After a downright disastrous tenure under Brad Friedel, the Kraft family brought in MLS and USMNT veteran, Bruce Arena, and for the first time in a while, opened the checkbook.
All three DP slots filled up in the course of a year, with Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa joining 2019 Newcomer of the year Carles Gil. Along with former Manchester United fullback Alexander Buttner and Rangers fullback Matthew Polster, Bruce Arena has some serious weapons to challenge the status quo in the eastern conference.
Arena has turned a leaky defense that conceded 30 goals in 12 matches in 2019 under Friedel to a respectable one that conceded just 27 goals in the next 22 matches. Standing out in goal is Matt Turner, who has started to show USMNT level quality, while former right back Andrew Farrell joins Michael Mancienne and Anthony Delamea as center backs in the improved back line.
The midfield appears to be the biggest weak link right now, with Gil confirmed out for 3-5 months after having surgery on his Achilles tendon. My biggest question would be if the midfielders are up to the quality of the rest of the squad. Wilfried Zahibo, a usual mainstay of the midfield, is sent off to Houston, and it’s a defensive midfield role that needs to be filled. If so, the Revolution could challenge for third or fourth in the Eastern Conference.
The loss of Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta will forever be the talking point of DC United’s (+6,000) 2020 season, but a few interesting acquisitions could patch things up. Julian Gressel and Edison Flores joined in the off-season, with neither really hitting stride just yet, while MLS veteran Federico Higuain took up the mantel of savior during MLS is Back.
DC finished in a disappointing last place in its group, winning no games but pulling two draws out thanks to late Higuain goals. The poor showing in MLS is Back, paired with the underwhelming first two home matches of the season, should lead to DC fans worrying about this season. There still isn’t a right back as center midfielder Russel Canouse continues to fill in there, as the defense looks as shaky as the attack.
If head coach Ben Olsen can figure things out, there is talent in the attack, with proven MLS goal scorer Ola Kamara leading the lines, and Gressel, Asad and Flores underneath. Despite that, Olsen had to lean on 35-year-old veteran Higuain to rescue points. That certainly can’t last if DC want to push for a playoff spot, this could end up being the weakest team in the region.
CENTRAL: (Chicago Fire, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew)
A massive overhaul in the off season, which included around 14 roster additions, a new coaching staff, axing the contract at SeatGeek Stadium, and even ditching the old crest and colors, still hasn’t brought the Chicago Fire (+8,000) into the upper echelon of MLS, yet.
Chicago didn’t qualify for the Round of 16, after a crushing loss to Vancouver which saw them leapfrogged for a third placed spot. While there was disappointment in the early exit, and in the current 11th place in the standings, there is plenty of room for optimism for Chicago.
DPs Robert Beric and Gaston Gimenez look like the real deal, while former Real Madrid prospect Alvaro Medran has adapted to the pace of MLS quickly in midfield, setting the pace of the squad.
Mauricio Pineda and Djordje Mihalovic are two homegrown players that show gallons of potential, and are both easily starting-XI quality for MLS right now. The big question will be how Chicago’s new team adapts to the league. CJ Sapong, Fabian Herbers, Kenneth Kronholm and Przemeslaw Frankowski bring good MLS experience to the table, but it doesn’t seem like anyone can rely on Francisco Calvo at the moment. If the new-look Fire can adapt, it has the quality to push into a playoff spot, but it might take until next year for that quality to be realized.
Two games against Columbus in the group won’t help, Chicago will have to bully FC Cincinnati and hope to steal points against NYC and New England to stay in the race.
The early favorites for MLS is Back, The Columbus Crew (+1,400), didn’t end up making the run head coach Caleb Porter would have hoped, losing in the Round of 16 to Minnesota United, but Columbus was the only team to win all three group stage matches, and sits four points clear on the top of the Eastern Conference.
2019 will be one to forget for Crew fans, even though the team was saved from relocation. 2020, however, seems to be the Crew’s renaissance. The sprightly Lucas Zelerayan has taken over Federico Higuain’s long-standing play-making role, while Darlington Nagbe joined up with his two-time former coach, Porter, to create one of the most menacing midfields in the game. But that’s not where Columbus’ strength ends, Harrison Afful and young DP Milton Valenzuela provide two of the best fullbacks in the league that menace opposing defenses with non-stop overlapping runs.
The east should be afraid of the Crew, but consistency needs to be established before there is proof that Columbus is a favorite to run the table.
The weaker Central region will boost Columbus’ stats, but it will still have to play Philly and NYC out of region to prove it can play with the rest.
Things haven’t looked great for FC Cincinnati (+15,000) so far in it’s MLS existence. Despite the rocky start, Cincinnati did escape a tough group of Atlanta, Red Bull, and Columbus with a third placed finish, before losing on penalties to eventual champions Portland.
Jaap Stam is in the early stages of building his squad, but this isn’t the doormat team of 2019. Former Brighton forward Jurgen Locadia has proven very early on to be a quality addition, but with Yuya Kubo and Allan Cruz not yet showing their DP level. Defense was, and will continue to be the biggest question for FCC. Jaap Stam, a formidable defender in his own day, is a as good a bet as any to shore up this expensive, but leaky back line.
The dutch connection could be Cincinnati’s escape from mediocrity, as former Ajax midfielder Siem de Jong joins to strengthen a sub-par midfield.
The smallest of the regions, the Central teams will play teams in the East, so the overall ranking might change, but Columbus should be a clear favorite as the strongest of the three teams. FC Cincinnati might have to wait at least another year before it sees a playoff game.
SOUTH: (Atlanta United, Inter Miami, Nashville SC, Orlando City)
Things fell apart for Atlanta United (+1,800) in 2020.
No wins or goals scored in MLS is Back, two nervy, 2-1 wins before the break and manager Frank de Boer is out.
With the next match against Nashville on August 22, Atlanta holding off the manager search, leaving Stephen Glass at the helm as an interim. With Tata Martino establishing himself as an instant legend in two seasons, it will be tough to find a coach who can inspire the same amount of hope.
Add to that, Mr. Reliable in midfield, Darlington Nagbe left the club, along with Julian Gressel and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. It seems that all of the talk is that Atlanta didn’t replace its players and isn’t the same side that won in 2018.
Losing Josef Martinez to injury was probably the toughest of any other departure, however, as Atlanta struggled to find the net in its first five matches.
But don’t count them out yet for this season. Fernando Meza, Emerson Hyndman, and Brooks Lennon joined as direct replacements for LGP, Nagbe and Gressel, while Jurgen Damm and Erik “Cubo” Torres join from Liga MX to add goals to the attack. Whether or not they are as good as their predecessors is still to be decided, but they shouldn’t relegate Atlanta to an average team in the East.
Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez and Ezequiel Barco are still two top talents in the league, and with a a new coach, one who supports a free-flowing attack, Atlanta will probably return to become one of the most frightening teams in the league. First, Atlanta will have to bully this region, which shouldn’t be a problem against two expansion sides and a team who has yet to beat them.
No wins so far for Inter Miami (+4,000), but that shouldn’t discourage anyone from keeping an eye on this squad.
Throughout the first five league matches, Miami looked like an expansion team, cobbled together from MLS veterans, discards and draft picks. The one exception was Rodolfo Pizarro, who dazzled in Liga MX and with the Mexican National Team before moving to Miami.
But the next time Miami walks onto the pitch, there will be a few more big names. LGP, of Atlanta fame, signed just as MLS is Back began, and will join Diego Alonso’s back three, which includes two guys who look to either be fantastic talents, or big liabilities, in Nicolas Figal and Andres Reyes.
Just this week, Miami announce the signing of PSG, Juventus and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi. This guy isn’t a sexy signing: a creative midfielder or forward who will light up the score sheet. He is a guy who will do just about everything, and in Alonso’s 3-4-3, can do the running of three men in that two-man midfield. If young DP Matias Pellegrini ever finds his footing along Pizarro in the dual 10 spot, this could be a team to push for a playoff spot, but it will certainly need a reliable, goal-scoring striker if it ever wants to be near the best.
Unfortunately, Miami probably won’t find much success against Orlando and Atlanta, but maybe Nashville will provide Miami its first win.
Nashvile SC (+20,000) picked up its own first win against FC Dallas, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Adding USMNT players Walker Zimmerman and Daniel Lovitz to the back line will help them with the first-season defensive woes of most expansion sides, but with MLS ever growing and expanding, more additions will need to come to steel up the squad.
The main focus will always be on DP Hanny Mukhtar, but if he doesn’t have a stellar match, can Nashville rely on David Accam and Randall Leal? It’s not the most frightening wing pair in MLS.
The last and biggest worry is at striker. Dom Badji has yet to score 10 goals in six MLS season between Colorado and Dallas. Every year there is expectations for him to be an impact player, and every year he falls short. Don’t expect this season to be any different as he could split time with Daniel Rios, who joined from Chivas Guadalajara after three seasons and no appearances. Goals will be at a premium as Nashville has to play MLS is Back finalists Orlando City and juggernaut Atlanta United. It will take a year or two before this team even thinks of contending for the playoffs.
Coming off of that MLS is Back final, it is an exciting time for Orlando City SC (+2,800) fans, for the first time since its inauguration.
Nani has shown himself to be the DP leader every MLS team wants, and while he doesn’t appear full of the razzle-dazzle that some expected, he still produced three goals and three assistsin MLS is Back, earning a best XI honors for the tournament.
A couple of off-season additions made a big impact during MLS is Back, including defender Antonio Carlos and midfielder Junior Urso, but by far the biggest acquisition was head coach Oscar Pareja.
Outside of a couple of new players, Pareja took over the same squad from James O’Connor, and he has instilled a confidence and structure that has bolstered Orlando into a playoff-quality team.
The biggest worry for Orlando City will be the history of hot-cold stretches. Last season, Orlando started with 8 game and 14 points before losing four out of five games. In 2018 Orlando won seven straight games to start the season before going win-less in six matches, losing five. It’s time for optimism, not pessimism, however, for Orlando. That great stadium and great fan base deserves this success.
MOUNTAIN: (Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Minnesota United, Sporting Kansas City)
Robin Fraser has begun one of the more interesting rebuilds at The Colorado Rapids (+3300) but still has a long way to go.
The squad isn’t too different from the one Fraser inherited, but the ones who have joined will certainly be impact players. Younes Namli will be the main man for that attack, but he won’t have the burden off doing all of the dirty work. He is joined by a handful of MLS veteran attackers, including Nicolas Benezet, swiped from Toronto FC, Diego Rubio from SKC, Jonathan Lewis from NYC and of course Kei Kamara from just about every MLS team ever.
This team is joined together from rejects or displaced MLS regulars. Keegan Rosenberry from Philly, Lalas Abubakar from Columbus, Kelyn Acosta from Dallas round out that starting XI of MLS vets.
But this isn’t the cobbled nature of an expansion team. Many of these vets were purchased from other MLS teams and brought in because they can play at this level, not because another club let them go.
Because of the history of many of this squad, Colorado will get overlooked. But from the first two games of the regular season, Fraser showed us that the Rapids are ready for the next step. MLS is Back, however, showed us Colorado still needs some work.
With Minnesota and SKC in this region, Colorado can’t be a favorite. But perhaps seventh place is on the horizon if Dallas and Houston aren’t playing at peak form.
FC Dallas (+8,000) losing to Nashville wasn’t a good sign of things to come, but Dallas started the season well with two wins. Stepping down from MLS is Back and this return of form could be a sign of worry, but this is still a strong Dallas squad.
The defense is as strong as ever, with Ryan Hollingshead, Matt Hedges, Reto Ziegler and Reggie Cannon (tentatively still an FCD man) still holding things down.
The biggest addition for Dallas is for the first time in a while, they have a fearsome striker in Franco Jara
Zdenek Ondrasek filled in admirably before Jara, and with Jesus Ferreira offers impressive depth and support.
Count on Dallas to always be in the hunt for a solid playoff spot, and to find its footing after an unfortunate few months.
Likely the weakest of the region, Houston Dynamo (+10,000) has a lot of work to do to fight out of the basement. With no wins in 2020, Houston is already in a hole. But head coach Tab Ramos is just five games in, and there has been some promising performances, like the 3-3 draw to LAFC.
The attack for the Dynamo is as strong as ever with Mauro Manotas, Alberth Elis and Darwin Quintero, but with that talent also comes inconsistency.
A bright performance every few games won’t do for a team that doesn’t have the midfield or defense to compensate for a lack of goals.
Wilfried Zahibo joining means Houston, for the first time in a while, have a true #6 to cover and shield the defense. That extra stability means Matias Vera and Boniek Garcia aren’t shoehorned into defensive responsibilities and can instead roam around the pitch. Though Zahibo fits the mold, he isn’t one of the better sixes in the league, and has a difficult job to turn this team into a defensive force.
It doesn’t look like it will be an easy year for Houston.
Though head coach Adrian Heath claimed no one gave Minnesota United (+1,600) any credit, it still reached the MLS is Back semi finals, losing to Orlando City.
Part of why Minnesota has this underdog mentality is the lack of recognizable star names. What Heath has built at Minnesota is 11 hard-working players who understand how to play as a unit.
Currently in second place with 11 points and a few high-octane performances, Minnesota has shown it can down any opponent, including MLS is Back winners Portland 3-1 in the first game of the season.
Despite the strong start, Minnesota won’t have an easy six matches, playing SKC and FC Dallas twice, Minnesota won’t have a chance to slip up and still earn a home game in the first playoff round.
As long as Heath can keep his team playing at its current level, Minnesota should be on everyone’s radar as a team to fear.
Currently first in the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City (+1,600) is primed for another dominant season in the Western Conference after an off year in 2019.
Alan Pulido joining from Liga MX has finally gifted Peter Vermes’ side an elite goal scorer for all the chances created by the midfield and wingers.
There is plenty of reason for optimism among SKC fans, but there should be a serious worry about how the defense will hold up after years of success. Usual stalwart, Matt Besler, 33, featured just twice in MLS is back, conceding four goals in that period. Roberto Puncec and Graham Smith held down the line with two shut outs before conceding three to the Union.
Former West Ham United defender Winston Reid will join SKC with the regular season returning, but the fullback has its own issues. Graham Zusi is 34, and looks at the end of his career, while Luis Martins has failed to establish himself as a reliable starter at left back.
Despite those issues, SKC should be a front runner in the Western Conference to challenge LAFC for the top spot.
PACIFIC: (LAFC, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders)
Last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners, LAFC (+350) has been unable to make a sustained run in a tournament format, losing to Orlando City in the quarter finals of MLS is Back and Seattle Sounders of last year’s MLS Cup semifinal.
The question for Bob Bradley and LAFC is always when, not how that first Cup is won. The expectation is that LAFC will win whatever competition its in is slightly unfair, but each time another tournament rolls around, it always feels like it’s LAFC’s to lose, and the odds reflect that.
But what do you expect when in 2019, LAFC broke the regular season points record, tied the most goals scored in a season with 85, and broke the record for highest goal differential; when Carlos Vela broke the single-season scoring record with 34, smashed the record goals+assist tally with 49; when two of the top four goal scorers that season came from LAFC?
So once again, this is LAFC’s year to lose. Bradley Wright-Phillips looks to be a great signing at striker, while Brian Rodriguez, Jose Cifuentes and Francisco Ginella provide starting-level quality as substitute players.
The number one issue is, like always, defense. LAFC lost Walker Zimmerman to Nashville just before the start of the season, and never signed a replacement. Dejan Jakovic and occasionally Tristan Blackmon have had to step in, and performed admirably, but not well enough for the standard of the black and gold.
On the other side of the city, the LA Galaxy (+2,800) is not your mother’s LA Galaxy.
In the span of a few years, the Galaxy went from MLS juggernaut to high-spending disappointments.
Losing the flair and bravado of Zlatan Ibrahimovic seemed to spell the end for the Galaxy, but in came Manchester United and Mexican National Team poacher Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. Meanwhile, Cristian Pavon remains an ever-present threat on the wing, and many would expect the Galaxy to be a contender for best attacking threat.
But Chicharito has just one goal so far, and ended up missing out of MLS is Back through injury. Pavon has picked up the slack with three goals, but the rest of the team doesn’t look to be Galaxy quality.
Giancarlo Gonzalez looks like a husk of the World Cup 2014 quarter finalist that he was, while Emiliano Insua and Rolf Feltscher don’t inspire any hope at full back. Daniel Steres is the one constant in that defense, but would probably struggle to find time in many MLS squads.
The midfield should be a strong one, with Joe Corona, Jonathan Dos Santos, and Sebastian Lletget all quality players, but there always seems to be a disconnect between the midfielders and defense that leads to gaps and defenders getting isolated. Guillermo Barros Schelotto has a big challenge in front of him to prove that he is a good enough coach to lead this team forward.
With MLS is Back trophy safely in the trophy cabinet, the Portland Timbers (+1,400) should feel confident of its chances to win more silverware this season.
Head coach Giovanni Savarese solved his team’s woes last season, when goals just did not come, and changed from a possession-based squad to a counter-attacking menace.
The structure it has created in defense has frustrated some of the best attacks in MLS, and should continue to provide the framework that can succeed in any tournament format.
Of course there was some luck involved, scoring all four semi final and finals goals off of set pieces, but with the service of Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco, that isn’t exaclty surprising.
Teams found the most success against Portland by sitting back and forcing them to attack, but if the Timbers can out-bunker its opponents, it can crush any team with that counter attack.
It was difficult to put Real Salt Lake (+6,000) in the west given it’s literal location on a mountain, but since RSL only hosts two games, I settled on the west. Of course two games are in the Rocky Mountain Cup against Colorado, but with one against Minnesota and the rest against Seattle, LAFC and Portland, I moved them to the Pacific.
The odds against RSL make it look much worse than it is. Despite the lack of sexy names and a big market, RSL consistently qualifies for the playoffs and has one of the better academies in MLS.
The connection between Damir Kreilach and Albert Rusnak in the midfield is one of the strongest in the league, but on either side of the field, RSL has lacked leadership at center back and consistent goals at striker.
It’ll be easy to pick against RSL versus juggernauts like Seattle, LAFC and Portland, but expect RSL to score a few upsets and results and once again be in contention for a home playoff spot.
Potentially the darling of MLS is Back, the San Jose Earthquakes (+3,000) has the benefit of not getting worn out by a long season, like the eight stretch of no wins to end the year in 2019.
Matias Almeyda’s full-throttle, man-to-man press is enough to suffocate some teams, like in the 5-2 win in the Round of 16 against RSL, but also is susceptible to big losses like the 4-1 loss in the MLS is Back quarter finals to Minnesota United.
The big issue facing San Jose is just the strength of this region. It could easily challenge the Atlantic for the strongest region. The Quakes will struggle to get the man-marking system perfect against teams like LAFC, Seattle and Portland, but with two games against the Galaxy and one against Colorado, San Jose might just continue to put out cosmic performances.
Last up in the region, but reigning MLS Cup champs, Seattle Sounders (+1,400) is always a favorite to win MLS Cup.
Three of the last four MLS Cups featured Seattle, and it’s becoming difficult to see one without the Sounders.
LAFC got its revenge in the Round of 16 in MLS is Back after losing in the Western Conference semifinals, and the two play at least once in this return to play, and are good shouts to face off again in the playoffs.
Seattle’s Raul Ruidiaz, Nicolas Lodeiro, and Jordan Morris are three hard-working, talented players that so embody what head coach Brian Schmetzer has built, and while the club has yet to fully replace Chad Marshall in defense, it still retains the look and feel of a team that can stuff even the best teams for a shutout.
Even if the Atlantic looks the strongest of the regions with each team a 2019 playoff squad, this should be the most scary of the regions to play in, and for that reason LA Galaxy should be concerned. Unfortunately, there limited spaces to qualify for a playoff spot, and a few deserving teams won’t make it.
CANADA: (Montreal Impact, Toronto, FC, Vancouver Whitecaps)
Thierry Henry will get a couple more weeks to establish the identity he wants with the Montreal Impact (+5000).
Adding Victor Wanyama brought a new body in midfield that, while talented, maybe wasn’t completely needed with Sam Piette already there. Defense is still an issue, as 37 year old Rod Fanni is still the main-stay that holds he back line together.
At wing back, Zachary Brault-Guillard is a promising prospect on the right, but on the left, Jorge Corrales is a liability. Henry tries to cover up liabilities like this and others by playing with five defenders and Wanyama in front.
At time stability is shown through sheer numbers clogging space. When it works, there is still a lack of a goals on the other side. Maxi Urruti is so far the best option, but isn’t bagging goals at a high enough rate. Bojan is more of a false nine, and Anthony Jackson-Hamell isn’t the man to lead the lines either. There is plenty of talent to play under the striker, with Romell Quioto, Orji Okwonkwo, Bojan and Saphir Taider all capable of breaking down a defense, but desptie the talent, the product occassionally goes missing.
As it stands, Montreal only has two teams to play (as do all Canadian teams) and currently sit as the second best Canadian team. This is a real chance to challenge Toronto as top dog.
The reigning top dog, Toronto FC (+800), is the heavy hitters of the north and Eastern Conference, but is an aging squad that still shows big moments of fatal flaws despite being containing elite players.
Michael Bradley is 33, Jozy Altidore is 30 and injury prone, Laurent Ciman is 35, Omar Gonzalez is 31, Justin Morrow is 32, Pablo Piatti is 31, and while most of these guys are not past their peak physically yet, none of them are the same player as four or five years ago, and that showed in the 3-1 loss to a NYCFC team with just one win on the season.
Alejandro Pozuelo is still one of the best play makers in the league, Jozy Altidore is still an elite forward in MLS, Michael Bradley is still one of the best American midfielders. Elite is still a way to describe Toronto, and it also has some promising young players ready to step into the fold.
Ayo Akinola, 20, announced himself to the league with five goals in MLS is Back including a hat trick. A few others have shown promise but are not at the starting level yet.
As long as Toronto continues as the best in Canada, it should be able to farm wins en-route to a top position in the Eastern Conference. As long as TFC avoid lapses like the match against NYC, it could face another MLS Cup final.
Three strikers all opted out of MLS is Back, but Vancouver Whitecaps (+20,000) still qualified for the knockout stage.
That’s still not enough to expect Vancouver to look anything like a playoff-level squad.
It will be exciting to see how Lucas Cavallini fits into the squad, and though Vancouver only lost out on a quarterfinal berth due to penalties, there still isn’t enough there to hope that the defense can hold off any top Western Conference team.
Vancouver needs to take advantage of being the third child in Canada, and catch Toronto and Montreal off guard.
All it takes is one team capitulating in this region for the others to see massive bumps to their conference standings. If Vancouver can fight for the best in Canada, then maybe there is some hope for Marc Dos Santos’ project.
