The 2015 MLS season will be the 20th in the league’s history and with a familiar force back atop the mountain. The defending MLS Cup champions, as well as a flurry of incoming talent, topped off with two new franchises joining the party, the anticipation for a new season has never been higher. As the league action gets underway later on this week, we’ve got a handy primer for the five things to watch for this season.
Galaxy Will Not Miss A Beat Before Gerrard’s Arrival
The standard-bearer for MLS and defending Cup champions landed another huge name when it was announced that Steven Gerrard would join the LA Galaxy. While fans will have to wait for the Liverpool captain to wrap up his Premier League season before joining the team in the summer, they should be fine without him in the meantime as they are absolutely loaded. Landon Donovan’s retirement will need to be addressed but the talent is there to hold the fort down early on – including the league’s reigning MVP Robbie Keane. Don’t expect them to miss a beat in the weeks before Gerrard makes his MLS debut.
Revolution Is The Team To Beat In The East
New England’s climb to the top culminated in a trip to the MLS Cup a year ago and while they came up short against the Galaxy, it’s clear they are still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. The Revolution lost just two of the 18 players that suited up for last year’s MLS Cup and the return of Juan Aguedelo should provide a boost up front. One year after making a run to the final, it appears as though New England is ready to once again challenge for an MLS Cup.
Orlando City SC Expected To Contend From Year One
One of two expansion teams new to the league this year is Orlando City SC and it’s clear they intend to contend for a playoff spot right away. Orlando City moved quickly to add proven MLS goalkeepers Donovan Ricketts and Tally Hall. They’ve also managed to quickly build a strong defensive core that includes Aurelien Collin, Sean St. Ledger, Seb Hines and SuperDraft pick Conor Donovan. All eyes will be on designated player Kaka to see what he brings to the MLS. While he’s definitely past his prime, he still has plenty in the tank to make plays for Orlando City. If the pieces around him can gel quickly, then Orlando City could be a force immediately – even though this is their debut season.
Sounders Intent On Spoiling Galaxy’s Season
There is no doubt that the Cascadia Cup rivalry between Seattle, Vancouver and Portland is one of the best in the MLS, but the growing rivalry between the Sounders and LA Galaxy has been building. After last year’s clash for Western Conference supremacy, it’s clear that they are set to battle again. Seattle is coming off a year in which they won the Supporters Shield and yet they are still focused on the bigger picture. The Sounders brought back the majority of last year’s roster and replaced DeAndre Yedlin with Tyrone Mears, so look for them to contend for a spot in the MLS Cup again in 2015 with a chance to spoil the Galaxy’s season. Whether or not they can take down LA is one of the chief stories heading into the 2015 season.
NYCFC Already New York’s Best
New York City FC is the first Major League Soccer team within the city’s five boroughs and it’s interesting that they might already be New York’s best shot at a playoff appearance. With talented players including David Villa and Frank Lampard looking to lead the way for year one, this – like the other expansion team – should hit the ground running. The roster isn’t finalized just yet but there is enough talent on this roster to think that NYCFC will also be New York’s finest for the 2015 MLS season.
