MLS Season In A Sentence - Eastern Conference
Riley James // @RileyJamesIAC on Twitter & Instagram
One week before we start the 2021 MLS season, we at MLSAces, or me, rather, decided to break out this two-part series, “A Season in a Sentence.” This series will give you my predictions for this MLS season in a quick, easy read.
This is the Eastern Conference + MLS Awards + MLS Champion.
Make sure to check out the Western Conference article from last week.
EAST:
14. Club de Foot Montreal
Therny Henry is out, and sporting director Olivier Renard is adding plenty of new talent, but it may be a multiyear project to put the Impact back in the playoffs. (Stop, I know it’s not the Impact anymore)
13. New York Red Bulls
STOP TRYING TO SIGN BIG NAME PLAYERS AND GET PLAYERS THAT WILL MAKE YOU BETTER. (Sorry for yelling, they just don’t have a lot and they are pretending like they have the LA Galaxy time of glamour and relevance while having ZERO MLS Cups)
12. DC United
Lots of goals and very little defense, but the lack of star power and lugging around inexperienced teenage “wonderkids” will hurt them as they face some of the Eastern Conference giants.
11. Chicago Fire
More Luka Stojanovic please, but this team needs a big push from Gaston Gimenez and Alvaro Medran to be competitive in a very tough East… and I really wish they would be.
10. New England Revolution
It is so hard to not put this team in the playoffs after their run last year, Bruce Arena, and players like Carles Gil, Gustavo Bou, and Tajon Buchanan, but I think a hangover will plague their start and the East is too good to start slow.
9. FC Cincinnati
New stadium, big crowds (hopefully), and Lucho Acosta will bring Cincy up from the cellar, but I think they are a year away from really breaking through.
8. Inter Miami CF
Phil Neville is an experience coach, and they have plenty of big names with World Cup and Champions League level accolades, but too many stars (whether bought legally or not) can shine too bright a light in the eyes of Fort Lauderdale FC.
7. Nashville SC
They need to find some goals up top and someone to help Dax McCarty in the midfield, but they possess the best defense in MLS led by Walker Zimmerman, a rejuvenated Joe Willis, and a resigned Gary Smith to lead the lads to another playoff appearance.
6. Philadelphia Union
I’ll say this, last year was a fluke, and this year will be a big drop-off in regular season performance while getting playing time for new inexperience academy players (FC Dallas, much?), which will hurt them in the short run, but it’ll be a better run in the playoffs.
5. New York City FC
Needing to fill two DP spots that will amplify their MLS relevance if they play it right, Maxi Morales holds down the fort with really fun, young, and unknown playmakers around him with Sean Johnson and Anton Tinnerholm manning the backline for the Piegons.
4. Atlanta United FC
Josef Martinez is 100%, Ezequiel Barco is really good, George Bello is set to really breakout under new manager Gabriel Heinze, who replaces Frank de Boer, who, again, failed upwards to the Dutch National Team.
3. Orlando City SC
The Cardiac Cats, who LOVE drama (see 2020 playoff game vs. NYCFC), look to continue forward off their successful 2020 by playing for an MLS Cup opportunity with their fun-loving style with Nani, Chris Mueller, and new signing Pato to make up for a missing Daryl Dike.
2. Toronto FC
Losing Greg Vanney is a huge blow, but Alejandro Pozuelo is really good at playing soccer and having Ayo Akinola and Jozy Altidore to play to will be a big storyline for the Reds while they incorporate more Canadian talent like Ralph Priso and Jayden Neslon to chase another MLS Cup.
1. Columbus Crew SC
2020 MLS Cup Champions, who added BWP and Kevin Molino to go along with Gyasi Zardes, Lucas Zelarayan, Pedro Santos, Darlington Nagbe, Harrison Afful, and Perry Kitchen all of coached by Caleb Porter… yes please.
MLS Awards:
MVP: Lucas Zelayaran (Columbus Crew)
Defender of Year: Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew)
GK of Year: Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
Coach of Year: Chris Armas (Toronto FC)
Newcomer: Pato (Orlando City)
Comeback: Mark-Anthony Kay (Los Angeles Football Club)
Golden Boot: Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders FC)
Western Conference Champion: Portland Timbers over LAFC
Eastern Conference Champion: Columbus Crew over Orlando City
MLS Cup: Portland Timbers over Columbus Crew
Let’s have a great season and go to games when/if you can. Support MLS.
Happy Opening Week!
