ASN’s Brian Sciaretta appears to be like on the Western Convention and gives up his previews and predictions. Predicting MLS is all the time robust and even unattainable, however the regular suspects ought to be the favorites. After the LA groups and Seattle, it’s vast open.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
February 21, 2025
6:55 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
EARLIER TODAY, I attempted to preview and predict the MLS Japanese Convention and since I crave self-punishment, I’ll do the Western Convention as effectively. For some cause, the Western Convention is even more durable to foretell than the East when you get outdoors of the highest three. There’s simply an enormous vary of groups that might all be okay, or just dangerous.
It’s robust to determine, however since I’ve been protecting this league and soccer typically, I’ll step as much as the plate.
Los Angeles FC
Predicted end: 1st Place
Selecting LAFC at or close to the highest of the West in preseason predictions is usually a wise transfer. It doesn’t all the time work, however it’s nonetheless essentially the most logical transfer. This 12 months isn’t any totally different. The membership has a longtime coach, the entrance workplace spends cash, the staff is effectively supported, and their residence video games are all the time robust for opponents.
LAFC misplaced quite a bit throughout this offseason. Mateusz Bogusz is now with Cruz Azul. Eduard Atuesta is now with Orlando. Cristian Olivera in in Brazil. Jesus Murillo is in Mexico.
However LAFC reloaded, as they all the time do. Cengiz Below joins as a DP ahead from Fenerbahce. Midfielder Odin Thiago Holm arrived from Celtic. Ukrainian left again Artem Smolyakov is a U-22 initiative. Brazilian midfielder Igor Jesus can also be right here on a U-22 deal. Yaw Yeboah was excellent for Columbus and is now at LAFC. Mark Delgado can also be a winner in MLS and he was introduced into the fold from the Galaxy.
There’s all the time a threat with quite a lot of turnover, however historical past is on LAFC’s facet and Steve Cherundolo is aware of what it takes.
Seattle Sounders
Predicted end: 2nd Place
Selecting the Seattle Sounders to be in the direction of the highest of the West can also be a comparatively protected guess in MLS. This 12 months is attention-grabbing as a result of the staff introduced in some much-needed recent blood. Paul Arriola and Jesus Ferreira have had quite a lot of success in MLS. Kim Kee-hee additionally returns to Seattle after success again in his native South Korea.
The massive key for Seattle is to have a wholesome Pedro de la Vega. He was introduced in final 12 months however struggled with accidents and by no means actually received going. If he does, look out.
If De la Vega stays wholesome, I believe the Sounders will likely be good this 12 months.
This was an incredible strike pic.twitter.com/wsOmB6oHF1
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 20, 2025
However this staff is deep and ought to be a contender from the opening weekend.
LA Galaxy
Predicted end: third Place
The reigning champions will likely be staff however have some main challenges at the beginning. Riqui Puig may return later within the season after his torn ACL. Joseph Paintsil could possibly be out for 2 months with an harm to his quad. Dejan Jovelji? scored 21 objectives final season and he was offered to Sporting KC.
Nonetheless, there’s a lot to love. Christian Ramirez and Matheus Nascimento (on mortgage from Botafogo) ought to have the ability to rating. They acquired a lift in central protection with the arrival of veteran Mathias Jørgensen from Anderlecht. That ought to deal with one of many weaknesses from final season.
???? FIRST TO SIX ???? pic.twitter.com/tAH6gvgNOK
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) December 7, 2024
However Gabriel Pec was a high participant in MLS final season and his return will assist ease a few of the issues they are going to be coping with early within the season.
Colorado Rapids
Predicted end: 4th Place
The Colorado Rapids have been among the many hardest groups to foretell. Once you assume they’re good, they’re dangerous. Once you assume they’re dangerous, they’re good.
However I’d be assured with this staff in 2025. They won’t have a really excessive ceiling, however they return their coach in Chris Armas and most of their beginning lineup consists of gamers who’ve been good on this league. Reggie Cannon and Sam Vines because the fullbacks. Zack Steffen in aim. Cole Bassett, Djordje Mihailovic, and newcomers Ted Ku-DiPietro and Josh Atencio within the midfield. Rafael Navarro scored 15 objectives final 12 months. There hasn’t been a ton of turnover with this staff, and the consistency ought to assist.
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) February 19, 2025
Colorado might have severe issues in the event that they must take care of accidents. But when the staff can keep wholesome, they need to be fairly good. On high of that, Colorado has a stable residence area benefit.
Portland Timber
Predicted end: fifth Place
Portland had expertise final 12 months and regarded okay heading into the playoffs. Then it got here undone. The Timbers had been embarrassed in a 5-0 loss at residence to Vancouver. The staff’s greatest participant, Evander, ripped the membership on social media. Followers had been left how dangerous issues had been behind the scenes.
Unsurprisingly, Evander is gone. However the Timbers have introduced in David Da Costa because the staff’s key playmaker to switch Evander. Then there may be Kevin Kelsy up high. The Venezuelan ahead regarded robust at occasions with Cincinnati but in addition light from video games for lengthy stretches. The jury continues to be out.
We’re listening in each language ????
Da new man David Da Costa speaks to the media for the primary time within the Inexperienced & Gold: https://t.co/5ZwAnGK9zi ?? pic.twitter.com/cinTPH0Beu
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) February 21, 2025
It’s straightforward to be skeptical of Portland. It is perhaps a justifiable place. Was Evander the issue, or was his right in saying how dangerous issues had been? Do the issues stay? Additionally, is Phil Neville the proper man to repair what went incorrect on the finish of final season?
For now, there may be sufficient expertise to foretell Portland to be fairly good. However we might be taught quite a bit about this staff early within the season.
Minnesota United
Predicted end: sixth Place
Minnesota United is coming off a sixth-place end in 2024 and this season the membership will proceed with lots of the similar items. They need to be round on the similar degree in 2025 because the offense is led by Kelvin Yeboah (who was terrific since arriving final summer season) and Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
California Cheesin’ pic.twitter.com/aPGwtzrtVt
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) February 16, 2025
The roster may not be as deep as wanted and it additionally lacks game-changing expertise. It’ll come down to go coach Eric Ramsay to benefit from it, however the playoffs ought to be anticipated.
San Jose Earthquakes
Predicted end: seventh place
San Jose will likely be one of the attention-grabbing groups in any predictions record for the approaching of MLS season. Individuals need to know precisely how massive of a turnaround Bruce Area can provoke with a staff that was among the many worst in league historical past in 2024.
This staff isn’t deep however has some good items if wholesome. Chicho Arango and Josef Martinez will rating objectives enjoying up high collectively. The true check will likely be bettering protection, and Area has already made some modifications that can assist. Ian Harkes and Mark Anthony Kaye at the moment are on board after working with Area in New England. David Romney additionally has labored with Area and can assist in the backline. An improved protection for San Jose will take effort from every line.
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) February 19, 2025
Area nonetheless has work to do for San Jose, however he may have this staff considerably improved just by serving to with the construction and form. Area is understood for turning round groups and I’d anticipate nothing much less this time round.
Houston Dynamo
Predicted end: eighth Place
The outflow with Houston is important. Hector Herrera was the id of the staff for almost three years. Coco Carrasquilla was in Texas for 4 years and is now one of many staff’s largest gross sales. Houston spent quite a bit on Sebastián Ferreira and his contract was terminated.
However Ben Olsen has finished job with this staff, to date, however the entrance workplace must step it up. Shopping for Jack McGlynn is good as a result of he has expertise and he is an effective match with Olsen’s possession-based system., however whether or not he can carry the Dynamo is one other query altogether.
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) February 3, 2025
A lot of the Western Convention groups are in risky conditions to start out the season and Houston is in that group. However the staff is on the identical web page as its coach and sufficient of the core is returning to permit some momentum from 2024 to hold over into this season.
FC Dallas
Predicted end: ninth place
It’s by no means straightforward to predicted how a staff will do when it comes on the heels of an offseason with many modifications and a brand new supervisor who’s taking his first teaching job at a primary staff degree. However that’s the place we’re with FC Dallas who’re led by Eric Quill.
From incomes a professional contract at an open tryout to making ready for 12 months three in MLS.
A deep-dive into Bernie’s story ?? pic.twitter.com/0TANyymWq3
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) February 19, 2025
They’ve additionally shipped out Alan Velasco, Paul Arriola, and Jesus Ferreira. On the opposite facet, Luciano Acosta, Anderson Julio, and Shaq Moore are three of the numerous new faces who’ve joined up.
Quill’s job isn’t to introduce a fancy plan. It’s to create a system that can put Petar Musa into the very best probability to attain frequently. That ought to be sufficient to get Dallas into the playoffs.
St. Louis CITY SC
Predicted end: tenth place
Whereas St. Louis performed higher in the direction of the top of the season, it was a nasty 12 months that led to twelfth place. This 12 months the staff made some additions however nothing terribly vital. Now the staff is managed by former Swedish worldwide Olof Mellberg who has solely managed in Sweden and Denmark earlier than.
Gamers like Cedric Teuchert and Marcel Hartel got here into the staff through the center of 2024 and helped the staff enhance. However not a lot of this staff has vital success in MLS and including a brand new supervisor who’s new to the league might imply something. Nevertheless it’s laborious to be confidently optimistic on the eve of the season.
However with Roman Burki, St. Louis will all the time be a troublesome out.
RB1 ? S3 pic.twitter.com/BZEqokVosI
— St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) February 19, 2025
Vancouver Whitecaps
Predicted end: eleventh place
Vanni Sartini is out, Jesper Sørensen is in as the top coach. The formulation stays the identical, nonetheless, get it to Brian White near the aim and he’ll end. If White doesn’t rating, Ryan Gauld must also have the ability to contribute.
Whereas this staff misplaced DP Stuart Armstrong, they haven’t gained a lot. Emmanuel Sabbi was signed from Le Havre however the American winger was having a really robust season in France. He’ll give the staff athleticism however we are going to see how his talent interprets to MLS.
Proper now, the roster appears incomplete.
Austin FC
Predicted end: twelfth place
Will probably be bizarre to see Austin FC with out Seastian Driussi. The Argentine playmaker was the id of Austin FC and he left within the offseason to return residence. New supervisor Nico Estevez has some methods to start out constructing the staff in his method. Brandon Vazquez did effectively in restricted minutes at Monterrey and his resume in Cincinnati speaks for itself. Shopping for Albanian worldwide Myrto Uzuni from the second division in Spain for $12.3 million looks like a giant threat at that worth. The value tag on his deal was shocking.
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) February 21, 2025
However the largest query proper now could be whether or not this staff did sufficient to switch Driussi? I’m not optimistic there may be sufficient playmaking expertise on this roster but.
Sporting Kansas Metropolis
Predicted end: thirteenth place
Sporting KC removed quite a lot of gamers from final season’s squad that completed in thirteenth place. With out Alan Pulido, Tim Melia, Andreu Fontas, Remi Walter, and Johnny Russell, the membership is attempting to take one other course after closing the curtain on a longtime era of gamers.
Sure, including Dejan Joveljic offers SKC a finisher, however the massive query is whether or not there will likely be sufficient service for him? Manu Garcia arrives as a DP playmaker however he has been a European journeyman all through his profession.
SKC knew it needed to make quite a lot of modifications, however it nonetheless feels just like the staff continues to be a “work in progress”.
Actual Salt Lake
Predicted end: 14th place
It was a poor offseason for Actual Salt Lake, which shipped out lots of its high gamers and did not do almost sufficient to switch them. Chicho Arango did not have an incredible second half of the season, however continues to be among the many higher MLS forwards. Anderson Julio scored 28 objectives throughout his time with RSL. Matt Crooks returned to England. Marcelo Silva was a reliable centerback for RSL for a number of years.
Nothing fairly like ending Coachella with a BANGER. ???? pic.twitter.com/KufEgIefjK
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 15, 2025
RSL was sluggish to switch these gamers and considered one of their efforts, buying and selling for RBNY ahead Elias Manoel was a catastrophe in that Manoel has refused to report back to camp with RSL.
Pablo Mastroeni wants Diego Luna and Emeka Eneli to proceed to make massive strides after good 2024 seasons from every participant. If these gamers do not play effectively this season, RSL could possibly be in very dangerous form.
San Diego FC
Predicted end: fifteenth place
The league’s latest enlargement staff will start play this month and expectations are low. Sure, we’ve seen enlargement groups do effectively on this league even just lately (St. Louis was an incredible instance in 2023), however San Diego nonetheless have too many holes.
San Diego will win video games. Hirving Lozano and Andres Dreyer are two DP attackers who can rating whereas U.S. worldwide Luca de la Torre will assist the staff management the ball. There’s some high-level expertise that’s wanted to win, however there may be additionally a scarcity of depth.
For San Diego’s sake, hopefully the entrance workplace continues to make modifications through the season and learns shortly what varieties of gamers are wanted on MLS rosters. Even a nasty season in 2025 might be okay for San Diego so long as it helps them assemble a long-term plan.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25881811/pressures_by_age_2018_to_2024.png?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "By no means? too previous to hurry the passer")
