THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

2021 RECORD: 10-13-11, 41 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Matias Almeyda KEY PLAYERS: MID Cade Cowell, FWD Jeremy Ebobisse, and DEF Tommy Thompson KEY ADDITION: DEF Francisco Calvo (Chicago Fire FC) KEY DEPARTURE: FWD Chris Wondolowski (Retired)

OUTLOOK: On paper, with a core of Cowell (USYNT international), Thompson (157 appearances for the Quakes at just 26), and Ebobisse (20 goals in last two years) San Jose should be set for a playo run. But given Almeyda’s public arguments with management over lack of spending and his future cast a big shadow over this side. Without the wonder of Wondo, one must wonder if this side can keep it together for a full season.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

2021 RECORD: 17-10-7, 58 points (Third Place, Lost In The First Round Of Playo s) HEAD COACH: Peter Vermes KEY PLAYERS: FWD Daniel Salloi, FWD Johnny Russell, DEF Graham Zusi KEY ADDITION: FWD Marinos Tzionis (Omonia) and FWD Robert Voloder (NK Maribor) KEY DEPARTURE: DEF Jaylin Lindsay (Charlotte FC)

OUTLOOK: While other sides spent the o season splashing cash and making big moves, Sporting stuck to their tried-and-true strategy of bringing back trusted veterans like Zusi and Roger Espinoza. Losing Alan Pulido in the preseason to a season-ending injury complicates Vermes’ starting XI plans, but Salloi (19 goals in 2021) and Russell (16 goals in 2021) should make up for that loss.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

2021 RECORD: 17-8-9, 60 points (Second Place, Lost In The First Round Of Playo s) HEAD COACH: Brian Schmetzer KEY PLAYERS: MID Joao Paulo, FWD Nicolas Lodeiro, FWD Raul Ruidiaz, FWD Jordan Morris KEY ADDITION: FWD Albert Rusnak (Real Salt Lake) KEY DEPARTURE: DEF Brad Smith (D.C. United)

OUTLOOK: Despite crashing out of the playo s in the first round, the Sounders are one of the favorites to win MLS Cup. The addition of Rusnak (11 goals in 2021) to go alongside a fully healthy Morris, Ruidiaz, and Lodeiro will give even the strongest of defenses nightmares. The loss of Smith will hurt but the Sounders management should expect a strong second season from Yeimar Andrade, who just earned his first cap from Colombia.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

2021 RECORD: 12-9-13, 49 points (Sixth Place, Lost In The First Round Of Playo s) HEAD COACH: Vanni Sartini KEY PLAYERS: FWD Brian White, GK Thomas Hasal, and FWD Cristian Dajome KEY ADDITION: MID Sebastian Berhalter (Columbus Crew SC) KEY DEPARTURE: GK Maxime Crepeau (LAFC), MID Simon Colyn (PSVLoan), and MID Janio Bikel (Vicenza-Loan)

OUTLOOK: The ‘Caps made one of the more curious moves of the o season, shipping o Crepeau and giving the starting spot in goal to Hasal, who is twenty-two. While management is high on Hasal, he has not played in a year and only has sixteen appearances at the professional level. That is a big gamble for a side that was looking primed for a deep playo run.

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