Union eye another trip to the finals

A capsule look at the Eastern Conference:

Philadelphia Union

The Union made it all the way to the MLS Cup final but fell to champion LAFC on penalties.

CF Montreal

Montreal lost coach Wilfried Nancy, who took over in Columbus, and hired Hernan Losada, who was dismissed by D.C. United early last year.

New York City FC

It appears that Nick Cushing will have a rebuilding project on his hands in his first full year at the team’s coach.

Nashville SC

Nashville SC moves back to the Eastern Conference this season, following the addition of expansion St. Louis City in the West.

New York Red Bulls

The Red Bulls made the playoffs for the 13th straight season, but they’ve never won an MLS Cup.

Cincinnati FC

Cincinnati was among the surprise teams of 2022 with its fifth-place finish in the East after winning just four games — fewest in the league — the year before.

Inter Miami

Rumors abound that David Beckham might lure Lionel Messi to Miami, but that’s not something that will happen in the immediate future.

Orlando City

The Lions won the U.S. Open Cup last year, so they qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League.

Columbus Crew

Coach Caleb Porter is out, replaced in the offseason by Wilfried Nancy from Montreal.

Charlotte FC

Charlotte nearly made the playoffs in its first season and defied expectations for an expansion team.

New England Revolution

It was a disappointing season for the Revolution, who failed to make the playoffs after winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2021.

Atlanta United

No more Josef Martinez, the 2018 MVP and Golden Boot winner bolted for Inter Miami after Atlanta bought out his contract.

Chicago Fire

The Fire have not qualified for the postseason since 2017.

Toronto FC

Lorenzo Insigne, who joined nine-win Toronto last summer from Napoli, is the league’s highestpaid player with a $14 million salary.

D.C. United

D.C. United lost an MLS-worst 21 games last season.

Note: Teams listed in order of finish from last season.