FIVE QUESTIONS FOR 2021

Who replaces Brenden Aaronson’s chance creation? Team defense can compensate for some of Mark McKenzie’s absence, but Aaronson’s contributions are trickier. The light shines first on Anthony Fontana, though others — including Brenden’s younger brother Paxten — will have to shoulder the load.

How big can one more year be for everyone? The list of players who performed well with limited time to settle in during 2020is lengthy. If Jakob Glesnes, Jose Martinez, Sergio Santos, Olivier Mbaizo and others get more comfortable, they could continue to advance their games.

Can Jamiro Monteiro be an MVP candidate? As his two-goal, two-assist routing of Deportivo Saprissa showed, Monteiro at his best is an elite MLS talent. He’s been consistently very good in two years with the Union. But without Aaronson, Monteiro elevating his game to consistently excellent is what Jim Curtin is looking for.

Can the three-forward rotation live up to the hopes? Kacper Przybylko has 23goals the last two seasons (plus two in Champions League this year). Sergio Santos was constantly hurt last year. Cory Burke spent 16months locked out of the country. If the Union could ever get Przybylko and Santos and Burke firing all at the same time … that’s a tantalizing prospect.

Which Homegrowns will emerge? The Union signed five from the Academy this offseason. Quinn Sullivan and Jack McGlynn have already debuted, and all five will get chances to play.