MLS 2017 Season Preview
- Mar 9, 2017
- 7 min read
There's a different feel about MLS ahead of its 22nd season in 2017.
The transfer window leading into this season has been unlike anything the league has ever seen, with a few of the teams making some big decisions when it comes to their future direction. However the season pans out, 2017 is sure to be full of surprises.
Here, we take a look at what each team can expect in the coming year:
Atlanta United:
Manager: Gerardo “Tata” Martino
Formation: 4-3-3
Key Players: Miguel Almiron (CM), Kenwyne Jones (ST), Hector Villalba (RW)
2016 Finish: N/A
With former Barcelona manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino at the helm and expectations are high for the first-year club, who will be aiming to become the third expansion team in MLS history to make the playoffs in their first year.
Chicago Fire:
Manager: Veljko Paunovic
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: David Accam (CM), Dax McCarty (DM), Nemanja Nikolic (ST)
2016 Finish: 10th in Eastern
The Fire will hoping that the 2017 season is kinder to them than the pervious two, having become the first team in MLS history to finish bottom in the Eastern table for two seasons running. The club used the off-season effectively, bringing in experienced striker Nemanja Nikolic along with midfielders Dax McCarty and Juninho.
Colorado Rapids:
Manager: Pablo Mastroeni
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: Tim Howard (GK), Kevin Doyle (AM), Shkelzen Gashi (LM)
2016 Finish: 2nd in Western
The Rapids were the ultimate underdogs of the 2016 season, as they finished second in the Western Conference after many predicted them to finish bottom. They conceded just 32 goals all year and Mastroeni has chosen to stick with his settled squad, with not much activity during the offseason.
Columbus Crew:
Manager: Gregg Berhalter
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: Ola Kamara (ST), Ethan Finlay (RM), Federico Higuain (AM)
2016 Finish: 9th in Eastern
Columbus Crew will be hoping to put last year’s struggles behind them and will be looking to get back to the top. The Crew’s faithful will be hoping Norwegian striker Ola Kamara can better last season’s tally, when he scored 16 in an impressive debut season.
D.C. United:
Manager: Ben Olsen
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Key Players: Luciano Acosta (CM), Patrick Mullins (ST), Bill Hamid (GK)
2016 Finish: 4th in Eastern
The 2017 season will be all about continuity for D.C., with this set to be United’s last year at RFK Stadium before moving into Audi Field. They haven’t made many moves in the off-season but the Black and Reds will definitely be looking to send out their current home in style.
FC Dallas:
Manager: Oscar Pareja
Formation: 4-4-2
Key Players: Matt Hedges (CB), Maynor Figueroa (LB), Cristian Coleman (ST)
2016 Finish: 1st in Western
2016 was a season to remember for Dallas. Their first place finish was a club high, and more success followed in the forms of the Supporters’ Shield and the Open Cup. An Achilles injury to star playmaker Mauro Diaz will keep him out for the first half of the year but the FCD have added a consistent goalscoring solution in Cristian Colman.
Houston Dynamo:
Manager: Wilmer Cabrera
Formation: 4-3-3
Key Players: Erick Torres (ST), DaMarcus Beasley (LB), Romell Quioto (LW)
2016 Finish: 10th in Western
Dynamo’s 2017 season is one of promise. Gone are many of the mainstays from years past as Colombian manager Wilmer Cabrera has instead opted for a mix of exciting young players. Problems may crop up later in the season when Houston’s squad depth may be exposed, but they look to be a team on the rise.
LA Galaxy:
Manager: Curt Onalfo
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: Giovanni Dos Santos (AM), Romain Alessandrini (RM), Sebastian Lletget (LM)
2016 Finish: 3rd in Western
It is the start of a new era for the LA Galaxy. After nine years in charge, head coach Bruce Arena has moved on and expectations in Kurt Onalfo’s debut season will undoubtedly be high. The Galaxy will be looking to add another MLS Cup to their stacked trophy cabinet, with a squad full of talent.
Minnesota United:
Manager: Adrian Heath
Formation: 4-4-2
Key Players: Christian Ramirez (ST), Miguel Ibarra (LM), Johan Venegas (AM)
2016 Finish: N/A
The Loons will be the second expansion team to enter the MLS this year. But things in Minnesota will be vastly different compared to their newly formed counterparts Atlanta United, who have spent big on young designated players. Minnesota have gone about their business quietly, piecing together a squad that will feature several youth prospects.
Montreal Impact:
Manager: Mauro Biello
Formation: 4-3-3
Key Players: Ignazio Piatti (LW), Matteo Mancosu (ST), Dominic Oduro (RW)
2016 Finish: 5th in Eastern
The 2016 season was a successful one for the Impact, but they will be eager to forget about last season’s MLS Cup defeat to archrivals Toronto FC in the Eastern Conference Championship. Despite losing the presence of experienced striker Didier Drogba, Montreal have all the tools for another stellar season, especially if main man Ignazio Piatti can stay on form.
New England Revolution:
Manager: Jay Heaps
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: Juan Agudelo (AM), Kei Kamara (ST), Lee Nguyen (AM)
2016 Finish: 7th in Eastern
The Revolution will still be reeling from a disappointing 2016. Despite a late push, the Revs finished seventh in the Eastern Conference, missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Manager Jay Heaps has already made plans which will hopefully lead to better results this term, including strengthening a weak defence.
New York City:
Manager: Patrick Vieira
Formation: 4-3-3
Key Players: David Villa (ST), Andrea Pirlo (CM), Jack Harrison (RW)
2016 Finish: 2nd in Eastern
The blue side of New York enjoyed a fantastic 2016, with head coach Patrick Vieira leading the team to a second placed finish in the Eastern Conference. Losing Frank Lampard’s goals will hurt NYCFC but with MVP David Villa leading the attack and legendary playmaker Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings in midfield, there’s no reason why they can’t go all the way.
New York Red Bulls:
Manager: Jesse Marsch
Formation: 4-4-2
Key Players: Sacha Kljestan (CM), Bradley Wright-Phillips (ST), Gonzalo Veron (ST)
2016 Finish: 1st in Eastern
One of the three founding MLS clubs who've yet to win a league title, the Bulls will be hoping that this year will finally be their year. With star men Sacha Kljestan and Bradley Wright-Phillips leading the attack, the Metros will certainly be in the running.
Orlando City:
Manager: Jason Kreis
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Key Players: Cyle Larin (ST), Kaka (AM), Antonio Nocerino (CM)
2016 Finish: 8th in Eastern
2016 was a season of transition for Orlando, with former head coach Adrian Heath being sacked and then replaced by former New York City FC boss Jason Kreis. With sharpshooter Cyle Larin leading the line with former Ballon D’or winner Kaká feeding him, it’s hard not to get excited about Orlando’s attack. Things will made all the more interesting considering this will be their debut season at the newly built Orlando City Stadium.
Philadelphia Union:
Manager: Jim Curtin
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: Alejandro Bedoya (AM), Fabian Herbers (LM), Andre Blake (GK)
2016 Finish: 6th in Eastern
After years of swapping and changing their squad, the Union finally found their rhythm last season, reaching the playoffs for the first time in five years. With star man Andre Blake between the sticks and promising German Fabian Herbers leading the attack, Philly will at the very least be hoping for a repeat of 2016.
Portland Timbers:
Manager: Caleb Porter
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: Diego Valeri (AM), Darlington Nagbe (LM), Liam Ridgewell (CB)
2016 Finish: 7th in Western
The 2015 MLS Cup champions endured a difficult defence of their title last year, finishing in seventh and out of the playoffs. They have managed to hold down the spine of their team during the off-season though, and will be ready to take their crown back this year.
Real Salt Lake:
Manager: Jeff Cassar
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: Nick Rimando (GK), Albert Rusnak (AM), Kyle Beckerman (DM)
2016 Finish: 6th in Western
Real Salt Lake enjoyed a fantastic start to the 2016 season which saw them top the Western table for a number of weeks. Things turned sour after the summer though as they failed to take points from any of the top sides. 2017 will be spent figuring out what went wrong, and trying to not make the same mistake again.
San Jose Earthquakes:
Manager: Dominic Kinnear
Formation: 4-4-2
Key Players: Chris Wondolowski (ST), Clarence Goodson (CB), Darwin Ceren (DM)
2016 Finish: 9th in Eastern
San Jose are in rebuild mode. Having missed out on a playoff spot for the last four years, the Quakes made the big decision to bring in general manager Jesse Fioranelli during the off-season. The Bay Area will be hoping that this change reignites their fortunes.
Seattle Sounders:
Manager: Brian Schmetzer
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: Osvaldo Alonso (DM), Clint Dempsey (AM), Nicolas Lodeiro (RM)
2016 Finish: 4th in Western
2016 was a great year for the Sounders, as they won their first MLS Cup since the club was founded back in 2009. With experienced international Clint Dempsey on the road to recovery after suffering from a heart condition which kept him out for the latter stages of last season, the champions will be out to defend their title.
Sporting Kansas City:
Manager: Peter Vermes
Formation: 4-3-3
Key Players: Benny Feilhaber (CM), Roger Espinoza (CM), Matt Besler (CB)
2016 Finish: 5th in Western
Will this finally be the year the Wizards go all the way? Sporting Kansas City start the season in the same way that they have started the past few, as serious title contenders. Their high-intensity playing style works wonders during the regular season but may not suit tight playoff games. Either way, Peter Vermes' has the perfect blend of experience and skill.
Toronto FC:
Manager: Greg Vanney
Formation: 3-5-2
Key Players: Michael Bradley (DM), Sebastian Giovinco (ST), Jozy Altidore (ST)
2016 Finish: 3rd in Eastern
Toronto will be out to prove their doubters wrong in 2017. After falling short of MLS Cup glory on home turf last year, their squad remains the same. Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore lead an impressive attacking line, while US international Michael Bradley will support the defence from midfield. The Reds are the team to beat in the East.
Vancouver Whitecaps:
Manager: Carl Robinson
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Players: David Ousted (GK), Kekuta Manneh (LM), Fredy Montero (ST)
2016 Finish: 8th in Western
The Whitecaps entered the 2016 season with elevated expectations, but a slow start manufactured itself into a disappointing season for Vancouver, who finished seven points below the playoff spots. The Caps' will point to star winger Kekuta Manneh suffering from a knee injury as an explanation for their poor form, but for progress to be achieved in 2017, they're going to have to work as an effective unit.
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