Kick start

Top storylines heading into MLS season:

South America on the rise

Last season, MLS started its shift when aiming for star power to attract fans. Instead of aging European stars, teams like Atlanta United and others opted to build its core around young, South American players. That philosophy has been mimicked league-wide. The average age of the nine designated players who joined MLS this off-season is 22.55, making it the youngest crop since MLS’ inception. Young South Americans to watch include Los Angeles FC’s Diego Rossi (17), Atlanta United’s Ezequiel Barco (18) and NYCFC’s Jesus Medina (20).

Will young Americans get playing time?

Minutes for homegrown — or Academy Players — drastically increased to 74,425 combined in 2017, nearly double from the amount in 2016. That’s good news for MLS as it continues to push its player development agenda, but it’s not that much of a flowery statistic considering young Americans — ages 20 and under — continue to struggle for valuable minutes in the league. Homegrown players under age 20 averaged just 498 minutes last year.

Another year, another expansion team

MLS welcomes its second Los Angeles franchise and 23rd overall with Los Angeles FC. Behind former U.S. men’s national team coach Bob Bradley, LAFC has the star power in the likes of Mexican international Carlos Vela, midfielder Benny Felihaber and former MLS defender of the year Laurent Ciman.

East is beast

Toronto FC are clear favorites, with New York City FC and Atlanta United close behind. Behind the trio, there’s the Red Bulls, a hopeful Orlando City and an intriguing Columbus Crew. The Eastern Conference together had a strong offseason that continues to place it well beyond Western Conference elites like Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake.