Last week, I wrote my MLS Eastern Conference Preview. I said in the newsletter that there would be a Western Conference Preview in the next week, so here it is. My predictions for the 2020 MLS Season in the Western Conference. Again, playoffs teams are in bold.
- Sporting Kansas City
- LAFC
- Seattle Sounders
- LA Galaxy
- Minnesota United
- FC Dallas
- Nashville SC
- Portland Timbers
- Real Salt Lake
- Colorado Rapids
- Houston Dynamo
- Vancouver Whitecaps
- San Jose Earthquakes
Sporting Kansas City
After finishing second-to-last in the West in 2019, I think that Sporting will make a huge jump up to winning it in 2020. After dominating their first two games of the season, SKC will continue on that path, backed up some interesting offseason arrivals.
LAFC
With good regular seasons and playoff heartbreak in their first two inaugural season, LAFC will look to replicate regular season success and not postseason pain. With 2019 top scorer Carlos Vela at the helm, LA will finish just one place behind where they were last year.
Seattle Sounders
The Sounders will look to win back to back championships after taking the MLS Cup home last season. With midfielders Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris and forward Raul Ruidiaz, Seattle brings together one of the league’s most exciting attacks.
LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy’s offseason brought about some big changes. They sold away their leader Zlatan Ibrahimovic to AC Milan, but brought in a new leader, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. It will sure be a different team under Chicharito, but they’ll finish higher in the standings than last year.
Minnesota United
Another team that has started the season well, Minnesota will continue their recent success into the rest of the season. Last season, defense was key and they’ll add a great offense to that as they’ll come just short of their club-record year last year.
FC Dallas
A key for Dallas is youth as a side with basically half of the American young players in the MLS. They also prioritized teamwork, with 15 players bagging goals for them last season. A year after being a surprise package, they’ll be a force to be reckon with.
Nashville SC
In the Eastern Conference, I choose Inter Miami to go to the playoffs in their first season, and I’ll do the same with the western conference debutantes. Instead of a strong attack, this side prioritizes good defense, bringing in American international Walker Zimmerman.
Portland Timbers
After years and years of great success and winning the 2018 MLS Cup, it will be disappointing for Portland to miss the playoffs. But last year they had a lackluster year and they didn’t bring anyone in in the offseason.
Real Salt Lake
Another team with little offseason activity, they’ll be disappointed to finish eighth after finishing third last season. Not only will they drop off five places in 2020, but they’ll lose star goalkeeper and leader Nick Rimando.
Colorado Rapids
The Rapids were a team that did make improvements in the winter, however they might not pay off. They missed out on the playoffs by six points last year and their additions won’t be enough to dig them out of that hole.
Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo finished third-to-last in 2019, and their only real addition was a new manager in Tab Ramos. Even a coach with experience coaching for the USMNT will help elevate this side into playoff contention.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps finished in last a year ago, and they’ll be second-to-last this year, while still finishing 12th. They did, however, brought in Lucas Cavallini for $9 million pounds in the offseason. He will be a star in the MLS, but it won’t be enough for the ‘Caps to go to the playoffs.
San Jose Earthquakes
The quakes had an exciting season last year, but won’t be able to do the same in this year. They barely missed out on the playoffs in 2019, but they’ll miss out by wider margins in 2020.
Sources:
- mlssoccer.com
- FBref.com
The Goal Post 