Predicting the Eastern Conference is as tricky as ever before, with tumult in several places (Chicago and Philadelphia), consistency in others (New York City, RBNY, Montreal, Columbus and Toronto), and some star departures in a third group (DC and New England).
[ MORE: PST’s MLS writer roundtable ]
If you’ve not already done so, check out our Western Conference preview. Let’s dig into the East.
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Chicago Fire
The story: Finished 2015 dead last in the East; Three MLS Cup finals, most recently a loss in 2003.
In/Outs: Almost too many to list. This is going to be a wildly different Chicago team under new general manager Nelson Rodriguez and coach Veljko Paunović. Gone are Harry Shipp, Joevin Jones, Patrick Nyarko, Mike Magee, Lovel Palmer, Jeff Larentowicz. Here are plenty of new faces.
3 Key Player/DPs: GK Sean Johnson; MF Matt Polster (Rookie star last season; USMNT prospect); DF Brandon Vincent (USMNT prospect; Top draft pick out of Stanford)https://twitter.com/MLS/status/705472887122173956
Head Coach: Veljko Paunović will have every chance to get it right here. The architect of Serbia’s U-20 World Cup win, he’ll need some time to get the pieces to mesh but is a promising boss.
Outlook: Better than last year, but outside the playoffs.
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Columbus Crew
The story so far: Lost MLS Cup at home to Portland; Winners of the 2008 MLS Cup.
In/Outs: Consistency a-plenty, with mostly subs leaving the fold. Chris Klute and Jack McInerney are gone; Ola Kamara, Corey Ashe, Amro Tarek and Conor Casey are in.
3 Key Player/DPs: Same as last year: Ethan Finlay, Tony Tchani and Wil Trapp are three who will help drive the bus.https://twitter.com/EthanFinlay13/status/687441824521125889
Head Coach: Gregg Berhalter. I’ll admit it; I was wrong. The experienced boss may’ve brushed a few folks the wrong way in his opening days, but that’s because he was doing it right, if a bit unorthodox. One of the best in the business.
Outlook: Fighting for the Supporters’ Shield.
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DC United
The story so far: Won four titles in five MLS Cup appearances between 1996-2004; Finished fourth last season, losing to RBNY in the conference semis.
In/Outs: Queretaro is no weak opponent, but the choice to not pay Perry Kitchen what he wanted looked a bit foolish in the CONCACAF Champions League. Also gone is mainstay Chris Pontius, while Lamar Neagle, Patrick Nyarko and Marcelo Sarvas join the fray with plenty of MLS experience between them.
3 Key Player/DPs: DF Steve Birnbaum, MF Julian Buescher, MF Luciano Acosta.
"Didier really wants to be here, he's been fantastic with his teammates in the lockeroom." - Adam Braz #IMFC
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) March 3, 2016
Head Coach: Ben Olsen. A smart manager who has his work cut out for him in keeping this team in the East’s playoff picture.
Outlook: Battling for the final slot in the East.
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Montreal Impact
The story so far: Made massive strides once Didier Drogba arrived, moving up to third in the East while beating rivals Toronto FC in the first round of the playoffs. Two playoff appearances since moving to MLS in 2012.
In/Outs: Gone are Justin Mapp, Eric Miller and Nigel Reo-Coker, but I like the choice of Clemson back Kyle Fisher in the SuperDraft and adding Harry Shipp to the attacking rotation puts this offseason in high-five country.
3 Key Player/DPs: FW Didier Drogba, MF Ignacio Piatti, DF Laurent Ciman“Didier really wants to be here, he’s been fantastic with his teammates in the lockeroom.” - Adam Braz #IMFC
— Impact de Montréal (@impactmontreal) March 3, 2016
Head Coach: Mauro Biello. Yes, he had Drogba to work with, but there’s no arguing with his results.
Outlook: Can compete for the bye in the East, though a spot 3-6 is more likely.
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New England Revolution
The story so far: Five-time MLS finalists, but yet to win the big one, the Revs bowed out to DC United in the first round of the 2015 MLS Playoffs.
In/Outs: Jermaine Jones is gone, and that’s no small loss. Xavier Kouassi, Gershon Koffie and Sambinha are joining the fold. Lots of new faces, and a blossoming relationship with Sporting CP.
3 Key Player/DPs: GK Bobby Shuttleworth, MF Kelyn Rowe, MF Scott Caldwell.
Completed another international signing today.Should be able to announce by the end of this week.
— Brian Bilello (@RevsPrez) January 20, 2016
Sorry everyone but we didn't sign someone today. Streak broken.
— Brian Bilello (@RevsPrez) January 22, 2016
Head Coach: Jay Heaps. The Kraft’s love loyalty, and Heaps has done it from the field to the coach’s seat. Still, the mainstay’s 54-53-29 record through four seasons could use a strong campaign.
Outlook: Battling for the final playoff spots.
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New York City FC
The story so far: Struggled in first season of existence last year, firing coach/architect Jason Kreis.
In/Outs: Selected Wake Forest stud Jack Harrison in the draft, and brought in five defenders to help rebuild a weak unit. Gone are defenders Shay Facey, Angelino, Chris Wingert, Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Jeb Brovsky. Neb Grabavoy is gone, too, probably so we can more easily tell that it’s Tommy McNamara on the pitch.
3 Key Player/DPs: Um... Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Frank Lampard. Cool?
There's a #GIFparty going on and we're bringing @Guaje7Villa pic.twitter.com/WvfhcAkHO0
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) March 3, 2016
Head Coach: Patrick Vieira. You may have heard of him. How will he do in his first kick at the head coaching can, in a league quite different than any he’s seen? We still think pretty well.
Outlook: A full year of their stars adjusting to the league should have NYC contending for a comfortable playoff berth.
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New York Red Bulls
The story so far: Improbably won their second Supporters’ Shield in three seasons despite a wild roster and front office turnover. Lost only championship appearance in 2008.
In/Outs: Matt Miazga is off to Chelsea, while Roy Miller is gone as well. There’s a batch of new Homegrown Players -- we’re interested in seeing more from Chris Thorsheim -- but there’s still a lot to like at RBNY.
3 Key Player/DPs: MF Dax McCarty, FW Bradley Wright-Phillips, MF Sacha Kljestan
"We just have some much depth in literally every spot on the field"
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) March 3, 2016
The strength in numbers.
READ: https://t.co/PI5flZkfoe#REDTogether
Head Coach: Jesse Marsch. Just showed up in the midst of a chaotic changeover and guided the team to a terrific season. Yeah, we’re not doubting him again.
Outlook: Contending for the Supporters Shield again.
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Orlando City SC
The story so far: 2016 is their second season in MLS after a solid tenure in the USL.
In/Outs: Plenty of players left: Tally Hall, Corey Ashe, Eric Avila, Danny Mwanga among them. Joining the fray are ex-AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino, forward Hadji Berry, midfielder Richie Laryea and GK Joe Bendik.
3 Key Player/DPs: Kaka, Nocerino, FW Cyle Larin
3 days pic.twitter.com/LrASMEqs1w
— RUCKUS (@RuckusOrlando) March 3, 2016
Head Coach: Adrian Heath. Consistency is key -- he’s been with the club in some form since 2008 -- but will patience be there if the star-studded attack doesn’t have them flying?
Outlook: Playoffs. Then, who knows? This is MLS.
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Philadelphia Union
The story so far: Founded in 2008, the Union missed the playoffs last season.
In/Outs: Look: almost everyone is new. Welcome Chris Pontius, Walter Restrepo, Joshua Yaro, Keegan Rosenberry, Fabian Herbers, Roland Alberg and Ilsinho. Fond farewells to Conor Casey, Fernando Aristeguieta, Andrew Wenger, Cristian Maidana, Danny Crus, Zac MacMath, Ethan White...
3 Key Player/DPs: Ilsinho, Pontius, MF Tranquillo Barnetta
Earnie Stewart on Ilsinho: “His elite-level attacking ability speaks for itself and we’re confident he’ll have an immediate impact.”
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) February 24, 2016
Head Coach: Jim Curtin. Worked his way from caretaker to full-time coach. Does Earnie Stewart see him as a boss for the long haul?
Outlook: Much, much better. But there’s a lot of work to be done to be a part of the playoff race.
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Toronto FC
The story so far: Made the playoffs last season for the first time in nine seasons of existence.
In/Outs: Gone are GK Chris Konopka, midfielder Jackson, forwards Robbie Findley, Luke Moore and Herculez Gomez. In are Will Johnson, Clint Irwin, Steven Beitashour and Drew Moor.
3 Key Player/DPs: MF Michael Bradley, FW Jozy Altidore, FW Sebastian Giovinco
The horizon leans forward. Happy New Year all. Together for the Reds in 2016. pic.twitter.com/Yuv1uSO3t9
— Red Patch Boys (@RedPatchBoys) January 1, 2016
Head Coach: Greg Vanney. Keeping a job at MLSE hasn’t been the easiest thing to do, but Vanney has a lot of weapons and was hand-picked by GM Tim Bezbatchenko.
Outlook: Title competitors. Really.