The 2015 MLS season is right around the corner and after another offseason full of intrigue, the anticipation for a new year is at an all-time high. Here is a quick look at the seven things that MLS fans will be most looking forward to seeing this season.
Steven Gerrard Arrives In The MLS
It was the major signing that sent shockwaves throughout the MLS and that is exactly what the LA Galaxy wanted when they signed Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard over the winter. The Galaxy was looking for a world-class player capable of taking the team to the next level with his talent on the field and his marketability off of it, and they certainly got their man. Gerrard has to complete his Premier League season with Liverpool before making the transition to the MLS and it will be more than just LA fans tuning in when he makes his Galaxy debut this summer.
Will The LA Galaxy Repeat?
Looking to repeat as MLS Cup champions, there is no doubt the arrival of Gerrard puts the Galaxy over the top in terms of being the favorite to repeat. Landon Donovan retired at the end of last season and fellow midfielder Marcelo Sarvas was traded to Colorado, but the core of last year’s team returns led by captain Robbie Keane and Gerrard’s addition will undoubtedly raise the talent level later in the year. The keys for the Galaxy will be to remain in contention for top spot until Gerrard arrives, then stay healthy when it matters the most in the playoffs. If they can do both of those things, they will have an excellent chance to represent a stacked Western Conference as they look to repeat as MLS Cup champions this season.
Can The Sounders Stop LA In The West?
Perhaps the biggest obstacle in the Galaxy’s way will be a Seattle team that is one of the deepest in all of MLS and ready to challenge for a spot in the MLS Cup out of the Western Conference. The arrival of general manager Garth Lagerway was considered a steal but the new boss signed only a couple of homegrown players. He focused on the draft where the Sounders added a pair of potential future stars in Cristian Roldan and Andy Craven. Tyrone Mears will help offset the loss of DeAndre Yedlin and overall, this Seattle team is probably the team most likely to challenge the Galaxy’s supremacy.
New York City FC Arrives
The addition of two expansion clubs has created a ton of buzz but living up to the hype won’t be easy for either team despite playing in the Eastern Conference. New York City FC was in the headlines for all of the wrong reasons this winter – including the Frank Lampard debacle and missing out on Jozy Altidore. Lampard will join the club following the end of his Premier League season with Manchester City and along with David Villa, will provide the team with two marketable stars that fans from around the MLS will pay to see. The potential rivalry with the New York Red Bulls will certainly be worth tuning in to and considering the losses their fellow New York club was hit with over the summer, it wouldn’t be a major shock if NYCFC celebrated its arrival as New York’s best team.
Will Altidore Reach His Potential With TFC?
It appeared as though the addition of Jermain Defoe up front had all but solidified the Toronto FC roster and put them in position to make the playoffs a year ago before injuries took their toll on their star designated player. Eventually, things unraveled both on the field and off of it. It was only a matter of time before Defoe moved on and in his place, TFC has turned to the Sunderland striker Altidore to produce up front. Altidore is expected to play a crucial role up front for Toronto and while his potential has always been high, the questions persist about whether or not he can lead the TFC attack and produce at an elite level in the MLS.
Orlando City SC Is Ready
Orlando was arguably the biggest winner of this past MLS offseason as they were incredibly active in trying to build a team capable of contending for the playoffs from the outset. Kaka might not be the same player that he was when he won the Ballon d’Or in 2007 but he is still a world-class talent capable of playing at an elite level in the MLS. Aurelien Collin and Amobi Okugo were two solid additions in the defense and midfield, while Honduran forward Bryan Rochez was signed as a young designated player capable of making an immediate impact and quickly becoming a star in the MLS. It’s never easy for an expansion team but considering the talent on this Orlando roster, there are plenty of reasons to play close attention to what they do in their debut season.
Revolution Ready For Redemption
The New England Revolution made it all the way to the 2014 MLS Cup only to lose to the LA Galaxy in extra time and they will be looking for a measure of redemption after reloading in the offseason. New England acquired both Juan Aguedelo and Tristan Bowen after the team lost promising young striker Patrick Mullins in the expansion draft, and while some have criticized their lack of major moves to address either the midfield or defense, this team is still very much a contender. It will be interesting to see if they can make it back to the MLS Cup in 2015.
