The new MLS season kicks off on February 26 – the earliest start date in its history due to the 2022 World Cup later this year.
New York City FC won their first MLS Cup last season after beating Portland Timbers on penalties.
Here we take a look at the teams expected to compete for the title this term and their MLS outright winner odds:
New England Revolution @ 8.00
The Revs’ 2021 campaign ended in disappointment after making history with the highest MLS points record. Bruce Arena’s side finished 12 points clear of Colorado Rapids to win the Supporters’ Shield, but lost on penalties to New York FC in the conference semi-finals. New England are tipped to maintain their standards again and have signed United States international Sebastian Lletget, adding to a midfield that already includes last season’s Most Valuable Player Carles Gil, as well as capturing former Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore from Toronto FC.
Los Angeles FC @ 8.00
Last season was poor for LAFC, leading to the departure of coach Bob Bradley. Having reached the play-offs in 2020, they failed to replicate that last term for the first time in franchise history as they finished ninth in the Western Conference, three points off the top seven, and 19th overall. Steve Cherundolo, formerly boss of Championship club Las Vegas Lights, who have a partnership with LAFC, was appointed as coach and there are high hopes the side will recapture their form this campaign. Star man Carlos Vela is back fit and Cristian Arango will be hoping to continue his prolific form which saw him net 14 goals in 17 games last season following his arrival from Colombian side Millonarios.
Seattle Sounders @ 8.00
The Sounders enjoyed another impressive campaign in 2021, finishing one point behind the Rapids in the Western Conference. A 13th consecutive year with a play-off spot ended in disappointment as they lost on penalties to Real Salt Lake. But they have retained the services of Peru striker Raul Ruidiaz, who netted 17 times, and signed Slovakia midfielder Albert Rusnak, who provided 11 assists for Real Salt Lake.
New York City FC @ 11.00
New York finally got the job done last term after five seasons of failing in the play-offs. Having qualified for the play-offs by the skin of their teeth, former Celtic boss Ronny Deila’s team won penalty shootouts against New England Revolution and Portland Timbers en route to lifting the trophy. Whether they can back that up this season remains to be seen, but they do have last term’s MLS joint top-scorer Valentin Castellanos – with 19 goals – in their ranks and they remain among the front-runners in the MLS outright winner odds.
Canada’s sides
Toronto FC (26.0) endured a dismal season in 2021, winning just six of their 34 matches and finishing second bottom, so things can only get better. They have appointed successful MLS coach Bradley and, despite losing Altidore, pulled off arguably the league’s biggest transfer ever with the signing of 30-year-old Italy international Lorenzo Insigne, who arrives from Napoli in the summer. CF Montreal (67.00) will be looking for improvement after failing to qualify for the knockout stages, finishing two points off New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference, while Vancouver Whitecaps (67.00) lost to Sporting Kansas City in the first round of the play-offs.
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