2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 15-9-10, 4th within the East, misplaced within the convention semifinals to FC Cincinnati.
COACH: Jim Curtin.
KEY PLAYERS: Alejandro Bedoya, James Blake. Julian Carranza.
OUTLOOK: The Union have reached the convention semifinals in 4 of the final 5 seasons. They’ve made the playoffs for six straight seasons. Last yr they have been led by Daniel Gazdag with 14 objectives 11 assists, certainly one of simply eight gamers with 10-plus objectives and assists. Jamaican Andre Blake, a 4-time All-Star, was skillful as common in objective with a 76.8 saves share final season. Already stable, the Union made few strikes within the offseason, however they introduced again Alejandro Bedoya in each on- and off-subject roles, and left again Kai Wagner, who had been getting curiosity from European groups. The Union are amongst 10 MLS groups enjoying within the CONCACAF Champions Cup for a shot on the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 12-17-5, tenth within the East.
COACH: Laurent Courtois.
KEY PLAYERS: Josef Martinez, Kwadwo Opoku, Mathieu Choinière.
OUTLOOK: Montreal completed tenth within the East, simply shy of a playoff berth, after advancing because the second seed in 2022. In January, Montreal employed Laurent Courtois, who led the Columbus Crew MLS Next Pro crew for the previous two seasons and earned that league’s Coach of the Year honors in 2022. He replaces Hernan Losada, who was solely with Montreal for a season. In February, the crew signed free-agent striker Josef Martinez, who gained MLS MVP in 2018 whereas with Atlanta. Martinez has 105 MLS profession objectives, ninth all-time.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 9-11-14, eleventh within the East.
COACH: Nick Cushing.
KEY PLAYERS: James Sands, Talles Magno, Mounsef Bakrar.
OUTLOOK: NYCFC had simply 35 whole objectives final season, second fewest within the convention. The crew added Argentinian winger Agustin Ojeda and Serbian defender Strahinja Tanasijevic within the offseason. Brazilian Talles Magno has reportedly requested for a switch however was nonetheless on the roster within the preseason. Mounsef Bakrar is predicted to be a contributor after arriving halfway by way of final season and solely enjoying 10 video games with the membership. Brazilian Gabriel Pereira led NYCFC in objectives final season however was transferred midseason to Al-Rayyan in Qatar. Santiago Rodríguez had eight assists.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 13-11-10, seventh within the East, fell to Orlando within the first spherical.
COACH: Gary Smith.
KEY PLAYERS: Hany Mukhtar, Walker Zimmerman, Sean Davis.
OUTLOOK: Hany Mukhtar gained MLS MVP honors and the Golden Boot with 23 objectives in 2022. He has 54 objectives and three assists in three MLS seasons, and he’s simply the third participant with as many over the span. If he has 10 objectives and 10 assists this season, he’ll turn into the primary participant to succeed in each milestones in 4 straight seasons. Nashville made it to the Leagues Cup ultimate, falling on penalties to Inter Miami. The crew was eradicated within the first spherical of the MLS playoffs by Orlando. Nashville allowed simply 32 objectives in the course of the common season, fewest within the East.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 13-11-10, eighth within the East, fell within the opening spherical to FC Cincinnati.
COACH: Sandro Schwarz.
KEY PLAYERS: Emil Forsberg, Dante Vanzeir, John Tolkin.
OUTLOOK: Sandro Schwarz was named head coach in December. The crew made a giant transfer within the offseason with the signing of Emil Forsberg, who spent 9 seasons with RB Leipzig, the place he scored 71 objectives and had 68 assists. He’s additionally performed 86 matches for Sweden, with 21 objectives. “I love the pressure,” Forsberg mentioned about enjoying within the New York highlight. “I’m excited. I’m very comfortable, and I’m also convinced about the quality of the team and what I’m going to bring to the team.” The Red Bulls downed Charlotte within the wild-card match heading into the playoffs, however misplaced to FC Cincinnati within the first spherical.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 20-5-9, 1st within the East, fell to Columbus within the convention ultimate.
COACH: Pat Noonan.
KEY PLAYERS: Luciano Acosta, Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga.
OUTLOOK: Luciano Acosta is the league’s reigning MVP with 17 objectives and 14 assists final season. “I’m looking to continue to grow and continue to be among the MVP candidates and continue to potentially win the Supporters Shield again. This time we hope to reach the MLS Cup,” he mentioned. After reaching the playoffs for the primary time in 2022, Cincinnati earned the Supporters Shield and went to the convention ultimate within the playoffs, however misplaced to rival and eventual league champion Columbus. Brandon Vazquez went to Liga MX membership Monterrey within the offseason. U.S. nationwide crew heart again Miles Robinson was signed within the offseason in one of many league’s largest free company strikes.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 9-18-7, completed 14th within the East.
COACH: Tata Martino.
KEY PLAYERS: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba.
OUTLOOK: Miami made an enormous splash final season by buying eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion Lionel Messi in the course of the yr. While he helped make them the inaugural Leagues Cup title, it was not sufficient to push the crew into the playoffs. With Messi on the roster from the beginning, Miami’s consequence this season must be higher. The crew added one other worldwide star within the offseason with Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, a pal and former teammate of Messi’s at Barcelona. “I’m getting used to it, getting used to my teammates, to what a new club is, and I’m motivated by the challenge of wanting to fulfill what the club wants this year, which is to try to win in MLS,” Suarez mentioned. Miami additionally added Julian Gressel from the MLS champion Crew.
2022 RECORD AND FINISH: 18-7-9, 2nd within the East, fell to Columbus within the convention semifinals.
COACH: Oscar Pareja.
KEY PLAYERS: Facundo Torres, Nicolas Lodeiro, Martin Ojeda.
OUTLOOK: The Lions set a franchise file with 18 wins, and completed with a crew-finest 63 factors. Their second-place end within the East was additionally a membership finest. Facundo Torres led the crew with 14 objectives. While Orlando misplaced Mauricio Pereyra, who went to play again residence in Uruguay, the Lions added free agent Nicolas Lodeiro, who had performed for the Seattle Sounders since 2016. He scored 41 objectives in 191 video games in Seattle. The crew’s prime scorer throughout all competitions was Duncan McGuire, with 15. Facundo Torres had 14 objectives in league play. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese had 12 clear sheets, tied for fourth in MLS.
2022 RECORD AND FINISH: 16-9-9, third within the East, MLS Cup Champions
COACH: Wilfried Nancy.
KEY PLAYERS: Cucho Hernandez, Diego Rossi, Darlington Nagbe.
OUTLOOK: The Crew gained their third total MLS Cup championship final yr, downing LAFC 2-1 at residence. Columbus led the East with 67 objectives final season in coach Wilfried Nancy’s first yr with the crew. “It is going to be very interesting because we won last year, but we have to start again from the bottom. Are we going to be able to do that? It’s a new season and the adversity is going to be higher,” Nancy mentioned within the preseason. Cucho Hernandez led the balanced Crew with 16 objectives and 7 assists. Diego Rossi, the previous Golden Boot winner, got here to the crew in August and scored three objectives. Now settled in, he’ll seemingly have a larger impression.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 10-11-13, ninth within the East, fell within the wild-card sport to the Red Bulls.
COACH: Dean Smith.
KEY PLAYERS: Enzo Copetti, Bill Tuiloma, Djibril Diani.
OUTLOOK: After becoming a member of MLS because the league’s twenty ninth membership in 2022, Charlotte FC made it to the postseason final yr. The run was quick-lived with a 5-2 loss to the Red Bulls within the wild-card spherical. Charlotte parted methods with head coach Christian Lattanzio within the offseason and employed English coach Dean Smith, who managed Leicester City final yr. Two of the crew’s larger names, striker Karol Swiderski, the crew’s first designated participant, and midfielder Kamil Jozwiak, have departed. But Charlotte added goalkeeper David Bingham and midfielder Djibril Diani and continues to be out there for a pair of designated gamers.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 15-9-10, fifth within the East, fell within the first spherical to Philadelphia.
COACH: Caleb Porter.
KEY PLAYERS: Carles Gil, Tomás Chancalay, Bobby Wood.
OUTLOOK: Last season was chaotic for the Revs. Coach Bruce Arena, who had led the crew since 2019, was positioned on depart whereas the league investigated allegations he made insensitive and inappropriate remarks. Arena, who’s within the National Soccer Hall of Fame, later stepped down. Caleb Porter, who coached each the Portland Timbers and the Columbus Crew to MLS titles, was named the crew’s new head coach in December. Argentine winger Tomás Chancalay had simply 11 appearances with the Revs final yr however scored six objectives. Carles Gil led New England with 11 objectives and 15 assists.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 13-9-12, sixth within the East, fell to Columbus within the first spherical.
COACH: Gonzalo Pineda.
KEY PLAYERS: Thiago Almada, Bartosz Slisz, Dax McCarty.
OUTLOOK: Atlanta returned to the playoffs final season after lacking out in 2022. The crew has had a busy offseason, brining in Bartosz Slisz from the highest Polish league and Stian Gregersen from Bordeaux, each of whom are anticipated to start out. But the crew revolves round Thiago Almada, who was on the Argentina crew that gained the 2022 World Cup. Almada is getting consideration from European golf equipment, however he’s with United till the summer season switch window opens. Atlanta additionally added goalkeeper Josh Cohen to compete with Brad Guzan. Veteran Dax McCarty, who joined as a free agent within the offseason, must be a steadying presence.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 10-14-10, thirteenth within the East.
COACH: Frank Klopas
KEY PLAYERS: Xherdan Shaqiri, Hugo Cuypers, Kellyn Acosta
OUTLOOK: The Fire haven’t certified for the postseason since 2017, the longest lively postseason drought in MLS. But the crew made some constructive strikes within the offseason that might break that streak. Most notably, Chicago added Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers for a membership-file $12 million switch charge. The crew added veteran Kellyn Acosta, who spent the final two seasons with LAFC. The Fire even have a brand new head coach in Frank Klopas. Xherdan Shaqiri drives the crew, with seven objectives and 11 assists in league play final season. Chicago agreed within the offseason to half methods with Jairo Torres, opening up a delegated participant spot.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 4-20-10, final place within the East.
COACH: John Herdman.
KEY PLAYERS: Federico Bernardeschi, Jonathan Osorio, Lorenzo Insigne
OUTLOOK: Last yr the Reds have been the winners of the dreaded Wooden Spoon for worst crew within the league. In addition to ending in final place within the East, the Reds’ 4 wins have been the fewest in MLS final season. Toronto scored 26 objectives, tied for fewest within the league with the Colorado Rapids. The crew has nowhere to go besides up, and took a promising step by naming John Herdman, coach of the Canadian males’s nationwide crew, as its head coach in August. It’s time for Insigne and Bernardeschi to step up their video games to show the crew round.
2023 RECORD AND FINISH: 10-14-10, twelfth within the East.
COACH: Troy Lesesne.
KEY PLAYERS: Christian Benteke, Mateusz Klich, Gabriel Pirani
OUTLOOK: D.C. United employed coach Troy Lesesne in January. Lesesne served as interim head coach of the New York Red Bulls for many of final season. He replaces Wayne Rooney, who parted methods with D.C. United on the finish of final season after the crew didn’t make the playoffs for the second straight yr. D.C. United additionally employed a brand new chief soccer officer and basic supervisor, Ally Mackay. The crew was comparatively quiet within the offseason with participant strikes however did signal Matti Petola, a defender who performs for Finland’s nationwide crew.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
