MLS IS BACK!

DANNY RUST looks ahead to the new season in the United States – with extra stars sprinkled on top

The teams to look out for...

THE new Major League Soccer season kicks off in March and it will be the first campaign without Landon Donovan since he joined the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001. The off-season has seen Steven Gerrard agree to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and the transfer of Frank Lampard to New York City FC put on hold.

Two new franchises, Orlando City and New York City FC, will join the MLS this season and they have attracted the likes of Kaka and David Villa to the United States.

Here are six teams that will be in the running to win their respective Conference and then look to go on to win the MLS Cup:

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

LA Galaxy will be favourites to win the MLS Cup for a second successive season. The MLS’ most successful franchise of all time will be confident of being crowned MLS Cup champions for the sixth time in their 20-year history.

Steven Gerrard will move to Los Angeles in July, and he will prove to be a fantastic signing for the Galaxy. Gerrard has been in good form for Liverpool this season, and this was the biggest move of the MLS off-season. The former England captain will be hoping to win the first league title of his career in his maiden campaign Stateside.

Captain Robbie Keane was certainly a good signing by Bruce Arena in 2011. Since his move to the Home Depot Center, the Republic of Ireland international has scored 53 goals in 84 appearances. He will be confident of adding at least another 15 goals to that tally this season, especially with Gerrard, his former Liverpool team-mate, providing service.

Brazilian attacking midfielder Juninho is dangerous going forward while the central defensive pairing of Omar Gonzalez and AJ DeLaGarza will result in the Galaxy being difficult to break down.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Clint Dempsey is still Seattle Sounders’ most dangerous player, and he will be relied upon in Seattle’s bid to win the MLS Cup for the first time in their history. They did, however, win the