Following a four-month lay-off, Major League Soccer returns this weekend, with Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes competing in the 2021 curtain-raiser on Friday night.
Ahead of the new campaign, let’s take a look at which teams are likely to challenge for the 2021 MLS Cup. Can Columbus defend their crown? Or will we see a new winner?
LAFC finished third in the Eastern Conference in their debut MLS season before winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2019, but Bob Bradley’s men ended up seventh in the East last term.
However, with 2019 MVP Carlos Vela and 2020 Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi leading from the front, the bookmakers’ view LAFC as favourites for the MLS Cup this year.
The Sounders have reached four of the last five MLS Cup Finals, triumphing in 2016 and 2019. Seattle qualified for the showpiece last year, only to fall to Columbus at the final hurdle.
Given the Sounders’ recent record, it is hardly surprising that they are among the bookies’ favourites to go all the way again in 2021.
Having previously triumphed in 2008, the Crew won their second MLS Cup last year, meaning they head into the new campaign as the defending champions.
Columbus signed MLS legends Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kevin Molino during the offseason, with standout forwards like Gyasi Zardes, Lucas Zelarayan and Pedro Santos already at the club.
Toronto have finished outside the top four in the Eastern Conference just once in the previous five seasons, clinching both the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup back in 2017.
Former New York Red Bulls head coach Chris Armas will lead the team into the new season following Greg Vanney’s departure, but the Red still stand an excellent chance of success.
The Union won 14 of their 23 regular-season matches last term en route to clinching their first-ever Supporters’ Shield.
Not only were Philly the highest scorers in the East, but they also finished the 2020 campaign with the best defensive record in Major League Soccer.
Led by Ronny Deila, New York City will be aiming to re-establish themselves as one of the top teams in MLS this year.
NYCFC recorded finishes of 2nd (2016), 2nd (2017), 3rd (2018) and 1st (2019) in the Eastern Conference before ending up 5th last season. Still, they are among the bookmakers’ favorites this time around.