MLS 2020 PREDICTIONS
With the 2020 Major League Soccer season — the landmark 25th season in league history — kicking off this weekend, we surveyed USA TODAY Network’s team of soccer experts for their predictions on how the new season will shake out.
Can the Seattle Sounders become the first repeat MLS Cup winner since the Los Angeles Galaxy did it in 2011-12? Or, will top contenders such as Atlanta United, the Los Angeles Galaxy, LAFC or Toronto FC derail the title defense hopes for the reigning champions? Which players will define the season? Can anybody challenge LAFC’s Carlos Vela for the Golden Boot after his incredible record-setting 2019 campaign?
Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer (@PBrennanENQ)
MLS Cup: LAFC over Atlanta United
Eastern Conference playoff teams: Atlanta United, Philadelphia Union, NYCFC, Toronto FC, New England
Revolution, DC United, Columbus Crew SC
Western Conference playoff teams:
LAFC, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United, Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes Supporters’ Shield winner: LAFC U.S. Open Cup winner: LAFC MVP: Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) Golden Boot: Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Drake Hills, The Tennessean (@LiveLifeDrake)
MLS Cup: Toronto FC over Seattle Sounders
Eastern Conference playoff teams:
Toronto FC, Atlanta United, Columbus Crew, DC United, NYCFC, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution
Western Conference playoff teams:
LAFC, Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United, Houston Dynamo Supporters’ Shield winner: LAFC U.S. Open Cup winner: Columbus Crew SC
MVP: Carlos Vela
Golden Boot: Chicharito (LA Galaxy)
Jacob Myers, The Columbus Dispatch (@_ jcmyers)
MLS Cup: LAFC over NYCFC
Eastern Conference playoff teams:
NYCFC, Atlanta United, Toronto FC, New England Revolution, Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union, Inter Miami
Western Conference playoff teams:
LAFC, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Sporting Kansas City, Minnesota United, FC Dallas
Supporters’ Shield winner: LAFC U.S. Open Cup winner: LAFC
MVP: Carlos Vela
Golden Boot: Josef Martinez
Jim Reineking, USA TODAY Sports (@jimreineking)
MLS Cup: LAFC over NYCFC
Eastern Conference playoff teams:
Atlanta United, NYCFC, Toronto FC, DC United, Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, Columbus Crew
Western Conference playoff teams:
LAFC, Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Minnesota United, Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas Supporters’ Shield winner: LAFC U.S. Open Cup winner: Minnesota United
MVP: Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders)
Golden Boot: Carlos Vela
Nate Scott, For the Win (@aNateScott)
MLS Cup: LAFC over Toronto FC
Eastern Conference playoff teams:
Atlanta United, Philadelphia Union, DC United, Columbus Crew, NYCFC, Toronto FC, New England Revolution
Western Conference playoff teams:
LAFC, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Minnesota United, FC Dallas, Sporting KC, Portland Timbers
Supporters’ Shield winner: LAFC U.S. Open Cup winner: Seattle Sounders
MVP: Chicharito Golden Boot: Chicharito