ASN: MLS 2022: Western Convention preview & predictions – Seattle & Nashville lead the pack

The MLS Season is simply days away and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta is right here to preview and predict your entire league. Final week we appeared on the Jap Convention, and in the present day it’s time to take a look at the West. Seattle, as at all times, shall be there to contend and Nashville appears sharp. However Sciaretta says to anticipate an enormous logjam of groups after that with 9 groups combating for the ultimate 5 playoff spots.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 22, 2022
7:25 AM

SHARE THIS STORY

THE MLS WESTERN CONFERENCE is rather a lot more durable to foretell than the Jap Convention by way of the mid-range playoff battling groups. Nashville’s swap from the East to the West goes to have a big effect as a result of it makes issues within the West that rather more crowded for the convention’s bubble groups.

Seattle and Nashville come into the season with far fewer questions and look able to compete effectively proper off the bat. On the flip aspect, there’s each cause on the planet to be pessimistic in regards to the postseason hopes for Actual Salt Lake, Houston, and Austin.

Basically, we consider that offers us 9 groups realistically combating for 5 playoff spots. That’s basically the story of the west in a nutshell.

With that stated, here’s a staff by staff take a look at how I see the West and the way I feel they’ll end.

Seattle Sounders
Predicted end: 1st within the Western Convention

Seattle Sounders have the whole lot going for them heading into this offseason. They’ve an incredible coach in Brian Schmetzer (the MLS coach of the Decade, if there was such a factor) and so they’ve strengthened an already robust roster.

Basically they added two designated gamers of their prime years. Albert Rusnak arrives from Actual Salt Lake and he’s an elite participant on this league. Plus, Jordan Morris has returned from his ACL tear that sidelined him till the ultimate weeks of the 2021 season. Morris was understandably rusty when he got here again however over the course of this season, he ought to solely be gaining steam. At this greatest, he’s among the finest wingers (possibly the very best) within the league.

Whereas Nico Lodeiro and Raul Ruidiaz are actually over 30, they received’t must do all of the heavy lifting like they did in 2021. So age shouldn’t be as a lot of a priority.

Then there’s a robust supporting solid consisting of each Roldan brothers, Joao Paulo (a Greatest XI candidate), Stefan Frei, and lots of others.

Additionally this 12 months, the staff goes to proceed growing high younger American gamers like Josh Atencio, Reed Baker-Whiting.

Seattle appears like the very best staff within the league to start out the season.

Key departures: Shane O’Neill and Brad Smith

Key arrivals: Albert Rusnak

Nashville SC
Predicted end: 2nd within the Western Convention

Nashville SC comes into this season understanding it has the very best protection within the league – led by two-time reigning defender of the 12 months and U.S. nationwide staff central defender Walker Zimmerman.

This 12 months, the staff introduced in an skilled and stable defensive midfielder in Sean Davis to ease the workload of Dax McCarty – who’s now 34.

Nashville solely misplaced 4 instances in 2021 however completed third as a consequence of 18 attracts over the 34-game season. In the course of the season, the staff conceded simply 33 targets. All the things is construct on protection and solely a slight tick upward in offense might assist result in a few of these attracts turning into wins. On the flip aspect, if the protection cracks somewhat, there may very well be extra losses.

You’ll be able to’t guess closely on a staff that has such robust protection. All of these gamers will return too.

The query is offense and Teal Bunbury isn’t that important of an improve. If Nashville might make some offensive additions through the season (and I feel they’ll), they might take off. Their shortcomigs are effectively outlined and never too exhausting to repair. They’ve the system, are effectively coached, and so they have the protection.

The issue with Nashville is that they’re overly reliant on two gamers: Walker Zimmerman and Hany Mukhtar. Mukhtar makes the whole lot run offensively and the staff must discover a strategy to have one other level of assault.

However for now, they’re high-quality.

Key Departures: Alistair Johnston, Jhonder Cadiz

Key Additions: Sean Davis, Teal Bunbury

Los Angeles FC
Predicted end: third within the Western Convention

LAFC is transferring on from a vastly disappointing 2021 the place they did not make the playoffs and a variety of gamers had disappointing seasons.

LAFC made a whole lot of adjustments this offseason and the primary comes on the high with Steve Cherundolo getting his first head teaching job at a first-team stage. There may be at all times a threat giving a man his first job on the first-team stage. Quite a lot of followers hope the U.S. worldwide shall be as much as the duty as he was an immensely fashionable participant. However teaching is a distinct discipline and it doesn’t at all times translate.

Cherundolo has been gaining expertise teaching on the youth and assistant ranges each domestically and overseas (most lately LAFC’s second staff in Las Vegas) however now he makes the soar. Las Vegas struggled final season in USL however that was as a consequence of enjoying very younger gamers on a staff with no steady core.

LAFC has made some robust additions to deal with weaknesses or losses through the offseason. The staff made some sensible strikes bringing in confirmed MLS expertise in Kellyn Acosta, Maxime Crepeau, Ille Sanchez, Ryan Hollingshead, and Franco Escobar. These gamers are all good and have little threat.

Acosta will try and fill the large void left by Eduard Atuesta. It’s a tricky activity, however Acosta provides the very best probability. Maxime Crepeau can even handle the staff’s want for stable goalkeeping.

A giant problem for Cherundolo shall be getting Carlos Vela again to the extent of being a dominant participant within the league. Cristian Arango is again, and he has been nice since his arrival however the scoring tempo he was at in 2021 might be unsustainable. If Vela can return to being a high attacking participant, LAFC will nearly definitely return to the playoffs.

LAFC shouldn’t be a certain guess. The staff made a heavy guess on Cherundolo. If his system works and the gamers reply and purchase in, LAFC shall be in nice form. However that’s an enormous “if.”

Key Departures: Eduard Atuesta

Key Additions: Kellyn Acosta, Franco Escobar, Maxime Crepeau, Ille Sanchez, Ryan Hollingshead

Sporting Kansas Metropolis

Predicted end: 4th within the Western Convention

It’s a daunting activity to interchange Pulido on quick discover and this previous week the membership added Nikola Vujnovic who joined on mortgage from Serbian aspect FK Vozdovac (with an possibility to purchase). The Montenegro nationwide staff striker must regulate to the league shortly.

However Sporting has the advantage of a constant supervisor like Peter Vermes who is aware of the league higher than anybody else and is aware of easy methods to win. He ought to be capable to have his groups stand up to a loss higher than anybody else by way of filling from withing in addition to importing from elsewhere.

Key Departures: Ille Sanchez and Jaylin Lindsey

Key Additions: Nikola Vujnovic, Robert Voloder, Logan Ndenbe

Portland Timbers
Predicted end: fifth within the Western Convention

Portland Timbers completed fourth within the common season however went on a robust playoff run to make MLS Cup the place it narrowly misplaced in a shutout.

This staff is basically the identical and it must be in an excellent place this season. Membership legend Diego Valeri has left however that was anticipated, and goalkeeper Steve Clark is off to Houston. The one addition to the membership was teenage David Ayala who was one of many high youngsters in Argentina’s Primera.

The truth that Portland didn’t usher in many additions doesn’t imply that the staff does have alternatives to develop. Eryk Williamson will return within the early elements of the season from an ACL tear and as he shakes off the rust, Portland’s midfield shall be bolstered. Santiago Moreno was necessary final summer time and confirmed a whole lot of promise within the playoffs, now he can have preseason and an entire season to regulate.

Portland additionally sealed new offers with Josecarlos Van Rankin and Sebastian Blanco. It’s exhausting to see the staff being any worse than final season. The addition of Nashville will bump most groups down a peg, however Portland must be good once more – and a bit youthful as effectively.

Key Departures: Steve Clark and Diego Valeri

Key Additions: David Ayala

Colorado Rapids
Predicted end: sixth within the Western Convention

In 2021, Colorado Rapids had been the feel-good story of the MLS season. Regardless of a smaller payroll, the staff completed forward of groups like Seattle, SKC, Portland, each LA groups to win the Western Convention regular-season title. It was a shock as a result of many, together with ASN, didn’t predict the Rapids to even make the postseason.

A giant cause for the Rapids overperforming was Robin Fraser – who, awards apart, was most likely the very best coach within the league final season. With Fraser, Colorado has nice management on the sphere.

Even with Fraser, there are challenges given the staff’s small price range together with the current gross sales of key gamers. Proper now, there isn’t a delegated participant on the roster, and it stays an enormous query the place the targets will come from. 

Final summer time, the staff offered Sam Vines. Then within the offseason, it traded away Kellyn Acosta and loaned Cole Bassett to Feyenoord. The staff has brough into some good gamers like Lucas Esteves (a left again to interchange Vines), Max Alves, and Bryan Acosta.

The staff has been changing the gamers it misplaced, however for this payroll, the whole lot has to go proper for it to work effectively. Fraser is an efficient coach, however he has his work minimize out for him, once more. If it wasn’t for him, the staff may very well be in bother.

The lack of Kellyn Acosta may very well be larger than many notice as he brough each management and expertise to the backbone of the midfield. Bryan Acosta shouldn’t be going to have the ability to substitute that by himself.

Key Departures: Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett, Younes Namli. Austin Trusty will depart in June.

Key Additions: Bryan Acosta and Max Alves

FC Dallas
Predicted end: seventh within the Western Convention

FC Dallas is likely one of the groups with a really totally different look in 2022. Beginning on the high Nico Estevez has changed Luchi Gonzalez as the top coach. Ricardo Pepi was the staff’s main scorer and he was offered to Augsburg. Justin Che was equally offered and Ryan Hollingshead was traded to LAFC.

Estevez goes to attempt to get the staff again on observe and into the postseason. A part of the place the staff struggled in recent times was with its overseas imports. Alan Velasco is likely one of the most fun imports into the league over the previous 12 months. At Independiente, he was one of many high younger Argentine wingers within the league. If Velasco can play to his potential, he might substitute Pepi’s output – and extra.

The addition of Arriola will give Dallas one other attacking possibility from out huge. The staff has the width to stretch opponents. Then there’s Jesus Ferreira who returned to type after a nasty 2020. There may be additionally Paxton Pomykal who had missed a whole lot of time in 2019-2020. Then final season, he was getting sharper and making up for the three surgical procedures he underwent the earlier years. This must be a 12 months the place Pomykal reminds everybody why he was such a high prospect in in 2018.

Lots should go proper, after all, for all the above to occur. Much more importantly, the staff’s protection must rise to the event because it doesn’t look robust on paper.

Dallas is understood for its improvement and the gamers which have come by the academy. However Dallas followers wish to win and be a staff that may get into the playoffs. Growth is sweet, however it should solely result in frustration for followers to observe Dallas alums do nice issues overseas with out having executed something to assist Dallas win (in contrast to Tyler Adams for RBNY, Brenden Aaronson for Philadelphia, and even James Sands at NYCFC). 

Most pundits will most likely have Dallas exterior of the playoff line. That’s definitely a good opinion. However we like Velasco and we expect rather a lot will break in Dallas favor to sneak into the playoffs by the pores and skin of their tooth.

Key Departures: Ricardo Pepi, Ryan Hollingshead, Justin Che

Key Additions: Paul Arriola, Alan Velasco, Marco Faran

LA Galaxy
Predicted end: eighth within the Western Convention

Final season, the Galaxy narrowly missed out of the playoffs and a major cause was its protection – which bled 54 targets over 34 video games. Within the offseason, the membership stated goodbyes to Jonathan Dos Santos and Sebastian Lletget. The most important import to Greg Vanney’s staff is Douglas Costa, who was one of many largest imports to your entire league.

Strategically, it might work. Kevin Cabral and Douglas Costa are explosive wing choices and they’re going to play in entrance of Jorge Villafana and Julian Araujo – two attacking fullbacks. The Galaxy can assault from huge choices and that ought to create the area Chicarito can exploit for targets. Offensively, that’s good.

However there are many points. The staff may be overly reliant on Víctor Vázquez for attacking up the center and the Spaniard is now 35. However will Delgado, Rayan Raveloson, Samuel Grandsir, or Efra Alvarez be sufficient within the midfield? That’s a tall ask. Then there’s the protection, which may very well be an issue.

LA Galaxy might make the playoffs, and there shall be many who predict it. For now, we have now them narrowly on the skin.

Key Departures: Jonathan dos Santos, Sebastian Lletget

Key Additions: Douglas Costa, Marky Delgado

Minnesota United
Predicted end: ninth within the Western Convention

Minnesota United’s midfield misplaced three noteworthy gamers in Ozzie Alonso, Jan Gregus, and Thomas Chacon – with the primary two being extra important. Alonso had by no means missed the playoffs.

Emmanuel Reynoso is likely one of the greatest No. 10 playmakers within the league, however the midfielders behind him are the place the questions are. Kervin Arreaga or Wil Trapp must take one of many midfield roles and will probably be powerful for both participant to interchange Gregus. Hassani Dotson is an fascinating younger participant who deserves to start out on this league, however matching Alonso’s means to play the place (even when Alonso was older) is an uphill climb.

Luis Amarilla is again as a delegated participant, and he was with the staff beforehand in 2020. Now he shall be becoming a member of now on a full-time foundation. That could be a high quality add to go together with DP ahead Adrien Hunou.

There is no such thing as a query that Minnesota has some fascinating items, however can Adrian Heath put all of it collectively? There may be additionally the query of midfield depth and the flexibility to create if Reynoso is injured or can’t play.

It’s definitely a staff that may beat anybody along with his greatest XI, however the staff appears to lack the depth wanted to succeed over the course of a 34 recreation season.

Key Departures: Ozzie Alonso, Jan Gregus, Thomas Chacon

Key Additions: Luis Amarilla, Bongokuhle Hlongwane , Kervin Arreaga

Vancouver Whitecaps

Predicted end: tenth within the Western Convention

Vancouver actually responded final season when Vanni Sartini took over as coach on an interim foundation and helped information the membership on an surprising run to the postseason. It’s not a brand new case, nevertheless, the place a staff responds effectively to a training change however then fails to reply effectively over the long run beneath the identical coach. It’s too early to inform if Sartini’s success will carryover into a brand new 12 months when gamers might want to reply to him on a full-time foundation.

Vancouver is clearly higher the place they had been just a few years in the past and they need to be within the combine to return to the postseason once more. I feel that the standings within the Western convention shall be tight over spots 3-11.

Sartini must hope that the progress Scottish DP Ryan Gauld and Pedro Vite confirmed final 12 months as midseason acquisitions continues into 2022.

Triston Blackmon ought to increase the backline and he’s the one noteworthy addition.

Key Departures: Max Crepeau, Janio Bikel

Key Additions: Triston Blackmon

San Jose Earthquakes

Predicted end: eleventh within the Western Convention

On paper, there are causes to consider San Jose will get into the playoffs this season. There may be expertise there. Javier “Chofis” Lopez and Cristian Espinoza are good attacking gamers on the DP stage and they’re each returning. Then there’s the midseason commerce of Jamiro Monteiro who was wonderful for an excellent Philadelphia Union staff. Jan Gregus could be a superb midfielder on this league. Jeremy Ebobisse is wholesome and is an efficient No. 9. Then you’ve an thrilling U.S. U-20 winger in Cade Cowell has put up good numbers in restricted minutes – however who additionally may very well be offered this summer time. 

San Jose didn’t lose a lot. The retirement of Chris Wondolowski was anticipated, and defender Oswaldo Alanis shouldn’t be coming again on a choice made by San Jose to not train the choice to purchase on his mortgage.

It comes right down to Matias Almeyda. San Jose has by no means appeared nice beneath Almeyda and a few of his selections have been puzzling. Quite a lot of groups within the Western Convention are stuffed with query marks. How these questions are answered by the supervisor will dictate the success of the season. Sadly, Almeyda hasn’t given any cause for individuals to be assured that he’ll determine it out.

Key Departures: Oswaldo Alanis, Chris Wondolowski.

Key Additions: Jamiro Monteiro, Francisco Calvo, Jan Gregus

Austin FC

Predicted end: twelfth within the Western Convention

Like most growth groups, Austin FC struggled in 2021 however escaped final place after they beat out the Dynamo on the second-to-last spherical of the season. Now heading into their second season, Austin FC will look to proceed to the sluggish highway of constructing a related staff.

As we stand forward of the season, Austin FC doesn’t seem like a playoff staff however they need to be noticeably improved. The staff spent cash on bettering the defensive backbone of the staff with central defender Ruben Gabrielsen added from Toulouse and defensive midfielder Jhojan Valencia becoming a member of from Deportivo Cali.

With midfielders Alexander Ring, and forwards Sebastián Driussi and Cecillo Dominguez the staff has used up its DP spots and all have now had a 12 months to adapt.

The purpose must be for this staff to be enjoying related video games come August and September. Even when they fall quick, that may get them right into a place to actually push for the playoffs in 2023.

Key Departures: Tomas Pochettino, Matt Beser

Key Additions: Jhojan Valencia, Ruben Gabrielsen, Kipp Keller

Actual Salt Lake

Predicted end: thirteenth within the Western Convention

The most effective factor for Actual Salt Lake is that the staff lastly discovered an possession group in David Blitzer and Ryan Smith’s Smith Leisure Group (SEG). The staff did the very best it might throughout a interval the place its possession scenario was messy and the league basically ran the staff. The staff was a loveable underdog in that regard.

Now the staff has the prospect to develop correctly beneath an actual proprietor. The issue is transferring ahead into 2022 simply as the brand new possession takes root. It additionally raises the query of whether or not most of the current workers goes to gel with the brand new possession? Usually new homeowners wish to usher in their very own individuals to implement their very own imaginative and prescient.

For instance, GM Elliot Fall made the choice to rent interim supervisor Pablo Mastroeni on a everlasting foundation whereas new possession teams had been doing their due diligence. It stays to be seen if Mastroeni or Fall match the brand new possession now that the sale is full.

All the things appears to be up within the air and it’s going to take time for SEG to construct the membership that they need.

The lack of Albert Rusnak is big and he was the guts and soul of the staff. At this level, it isn’t clear if Anderson Julio will return. However the staff has only one DP in Damir Kreilach and there’s room for the staff to develop beneath SEG. However that may take time.

Two issues that the staff has going for it’s a robust residence discipline benefit (it’s powerful to play in Utah) and an academy that’s typically fairly good.

RSL won’t be nice within the quick time period, however their longer-term future may very well be much more brilliant if SEG is concerned.

Key Departures: Albert Rusnak, Anderson Julio

Key Additions: Sergio Cordova

Houston Dynamo

Predicted end: 14th within the Western Convention

Again within the day, Houston was one of many high groups within the league and town cared in regards to the staff. This was when the staff had enjoyable gamers like Stu Holden, Geoff Cameron, Ricardo Clark, and Dwayne De Rosario and moved into what was one of many league’s nicest stadiums on the time. In 2022, the staff looks as if an afterthought, attendance is down, and there actually hasn’t been anybody thrilling to come back out of the staff in current reminiscence. The staff’s academy has but to supply a high participant for the primary staff or any main U.S. youth nationwide staff.

There’s a concerted effort to alter that. There may be new possession in Ted Segal, a brand new normal supervisor in Pat Onstead, and a brand new head coach in Paulo Nagamura. The academy additionally has some fascinating gamers coming by the ranks who might assist – though not within the quick time period. 

The brand new staff on the high of the chain can have their work minimize out for them to make the staff aggressive, enjoyable to observe, and have town care about them once more.

What the staff has going for it’s a protection that may very well be stable. Each time growth groups come into the league, it’s sensible to construct the roster from the again. The Dynamo aren’t an growth staff, however the identical precept ought to apply. With Teenage Hadebe and Tim Parker, the staff has two competent central defenders. Parker is an efficient chief who can win on this league. Mixed with Steve Clark, the Dynamo’s backline shouldn’t be a nasty place to begin, and an excellent protection can cowl up for lots in MLS.

The difficulty will come right down to the flexibility to attain targets. That’s the place it appears weak for the Dynamo. Final season the staff scored simply 36 targets in a 34-game season (second worse to growth Austin FC). The addition of DP ahead Sebastian Ferreira who scored targets at an incredible clip in Paraguay and can look to see that success translated right here. He’s an excellent participant, however the Dynamo are both weak or skinny in too many areas.

Their protection will hold them in video games however profitable shall be powerful. 

Key Departures: Maxi Urruit, Boniek Garcia

Key Additions: Sebastian Ferreira, Steve Clark, Zeca