Put football to one side for a moment: it’s soccer time.
The new Major League Soccer campaign gets underway on Saturday 29 February, marking the 25-year anniversary of the United States’ most prestigious football competition?. As ever, the number of franchises participating this year is due to increase, this time by two – including the arrival of David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
If you seldom cast an eye across the pond, then you needn’t fear. 90min has got your back, with all the information you need ahead of another tantalising MLS season.
Without further ado, let’s get stuck in…
2019 Season Review
?Before we can even think about the 2020 MLS season, we need to look back to how things shaped up last year.
It was Seattle Sounders who reigned supreme come the end of the campaign, beating Toronto FC in a gargantuan MLS Cup clash. The Sounders ran out 3-1 winners, despite having finished second in the Western Conference, while Toronto couldn’t claim what would have been their second ever cup win.
Defending champions Atlanta United were knocked out in the Conference Finals, while Los Angeles FC suffered the same fate, despite finishing 16 points above eventual winners Seattle in the Eastern Conference – but a Carlos Vela inspired LAFC were able to win the Supporters’ Shield.
Wayne Rooney’s DC United were knocked out in the first round, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s LA Galaxy were defeated by bitter rivals Los Angeles in the Conference semi-finals, despite the Swede netting 30 goals during the campaign.
FC Cincinnati finished their inaugural season in ?MLS rock bottom of the overall table, and the Vancouver Whitecaps weren’t a great deal better, sitting just one place above the newbies.
New Franchises
This season’s MLS will be the biggest there has ever been, with two new sides making up a 26-team championship.
But Inter aren’t the only new boys, with Nashville SC also joining MLS for the 2020 season under head coach Gary Smith.
A number of familiar names have jumped at the opportunity to grace MLS for the upcoming season. Perhaps most notably, former Manchester United and West Ham striker ?Javier Hernandez has joined up with LA Galaxy, along with former Liverpool full-back Emiliano Insua.
Relative new boys Cincinnati have brought in the Dutch duo of Jurgen Locadia on loan from Brighton and Siem de Jong from Ajax, while Chicago Fire have signed Slovenian Saint-Etienne forward Robert Beric.
Inter Miami have acquired the services of highly-coveted Monterrey midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro, as well as Celtic winger Lewis Morgan. Meanwhile, West Ham defender Winston Reid has joined up with Sporting Kansas, and Bradley Wright-Phillips has made the switch from New York Red Bulls to LAFC.
Familiar Departures
The infamous Ibrahimovic has finally left the comforts of MLS, swapping sunny Los Angeles for Milan. Likewise, Rooney has also called time on his American adventure and is now plying his trade for Championship side Derby County.
Title Contenders
Los Angeles FC head in to the 2020 season as overwhelming favourites for a first MLS Cup, and will boast the 2019 Player of the Year Vela, who netted 34 goals and registered 15 assists in the United States last season.
Atlanta are also in with a shout, possessing a clinical finisher of their own in the form of Josef Martinez, who scored 27 goals last term, while you would be foolish not to spare a thought for current champions Seattle.
Last year’s runners-up Toronto will fancy their chances, while Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union are outsiders to lift the elusive trophy. New York City FC are likely to show significant improvements from their Conference semi-final knockout last season.
Kits
While the MLS season is often predictably unpredictable, one thing we can guarantee are some sparkling new kits. The 2020 shirts have been unveiled and it’s fair to say that there are some absolute corkers that are well worthy of a look.
?Take a look at some of the best of the bunch here, and sit back and enjoy a brand spanking new season of MLS…..as it could prove to be the best season yet.
Let’