2022 SEASON PREVIEW

AS THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GETS SET TO TURN 30 IN ITS CURRENT GUISE, DAN ROBERTS ASKS WHETHER THE CHANGES HAVE BEEN FOR THE GREATER GOOD?

It is almost 30 years since UEFA decided to do away with the old format of what used to be known as the European Cup. A major rebrand and rethink changed the old knockout competition between the champions of Europe’s leagues into the I multi-stage, multi-format behemoth we know today.

There have been a few changes over the years.

It is fair to say that this season’s Champions

League is nothing like the 1991-92 European

Cup. But that is not to say that everyone thinks that the modern way is best – or even that every alteration has been celebrated and kept.

There had been games between champions since the late 19th century, but the European

Cup came into being for the 1955-56 season after a pair of French journalists persuaded

UEFA to launch a competition based on the

South America Championship of Champions that had been in existence since 1948.

Only 16 clubs took part in that inaugural season, with Real Madrid beating Reims 4-3 in the final in Paris. The Spanish club then went on to win the first five finals and create an early domination of European football. Ties were played on a home and away basis, with the club scoring more goals on aggregate going through. The final was the only round of the competition decided by a one-o game.

The main di erence between the old European

Cup and the modern Champions League was – somewhat ironically – that only the champions of each domestic league were invited to compete. The reigning European champions were also allowed to participate the following year, no matter whether they had won their domestic league or not.

Critics of the modern competition point to the fact that it was only the best of the best that were able to truly call themselves champions of Europe. No club was able to finish fourth in their league and then go on to claim the

European Cup the season after. The knockout format also meant that teams had little scope for playing poorly. They were not able to draw a few games and then sneak into the round of 16 like today’s clubs.

A preliminary round was introduced very early on for the smaller club champions of Europe.

But the knockout format stayed largely the same, with a first round consisting of 16 teams remaining in e ect until the 1966-67 season.

The first round was then extended to 32 teams, but due to some clubs receiving byes in some years it did mean that Ajax could win the

European Cup in 1973 only playing four rounds of football and just seven matches in total.

Even with this limited format, the bigger clubs of Europe tended to succeed. After Real

Madrid’s early dominance, the title was shared by the likes of Benfica, Inter, Ajax and Bayern

Munich. Feyenoord were probably the first

ABOVE & RIGHT: Chelsea had to play 13 games en route to their underdog victory last year

TOP LEFT: Real Madrid won the first ever European Cup in 1956

LEFT: Sergio Ramos with the Champions League trophy with the modern-day Real Madrid

QUARTER FINALS: April 5 -13

SEMI FINALS: April 26 - May 4

FINALS: May 28

QUARTER FINALS: April 7 -14

SEMI FINALS: April 28 - May 5

FINALS: May 18

QUARTER FINALS: April 7 -14

SEMI FINALS: April 28 - May 5

FINALS: May 25 surprise winners in 1970, before Nottingham Forest continued the English takeover in the late 1970s that continued up until the banning of the country’s clubs following crowd trouble and violence at the 1985 final. The absence of the English champions made no di erence to the format, however. It was still a strictly knockout competition until the 199192 season, when a group stage was introduced for the first time. The first and second rounds were still played as usual, but then there was a quarter-final stage consisting of two groups of four, playing on a home and away basis. The two group winners – Sampdoria and Barcelona – then went on to play in the final. It was only a minor tweak, but one that changed the way the competition was played completely – and one that signalled the biggest shake-up in the history of the European Cup the very next year. The Champions League began in the 199293 season with UEFA teaming up with a marketing company to rebrand the tournament and increase broadcasting rights and income for the clubs involved. Initially there was not that much di erence, as all clubs still had to progress through at least one knockout round before the group stage. A semi-final round was introduced the next year, before a group stage more akin to the one we know today appearing for the 1994-95 season. There were no knockout problems for the big clubs now, as the likes of Milan, Bayern Munich and Barcelona received a pass straight to the lucrative group stage just for being the top-ranked champions. At this point it was still only the champions of each domestic league that competed. But in 1997-98 the runners-up also qualified, as UEFA wanted more of the bigger clubs competing in its premier competition and not so many ‘minnows’. By the turn of the century, more clubs from the top leagues were allowed to play in the Champions League and the format even included two group stage rounds for a few years to accommodate all the extra teams. The current format has remained much the same since 2004 though, allowing the big clubs to start in the group stage and the smaller teams playing a series of qualifying rounds to join them. UEFA would argue that the fans want to see the biggest clubs challenging for the trophy and not exposed to a shock defeat in a one-o tie early on. With so much TV money involved these days, it is only these elite clubs that can a ord the best players – meaning that they are generally the same ones competing in the later rounds each year. In recent seasons, the gap between the haves and have-nots has only grown, with Chelsea’s triumph in 2021 now considered something of a shock. That is something of an irony, considering they were one of 20 members of the doomed European Super League proposed by the clubs themselves in 2021, in direct competition to UEFA’s Champions League. It is a shame that it has become all but impossible for a smaller club to come through and be crowned champions of Europe today, even if the better sides do end up lifting the iconic trophy. UEFA has already announced that the competition will change dramatically from the 2024-25 season, with the group stage scrapped altogether in favour of a 32-team league where each club plays 10 games each. Whether this plan will be altered before that season kicks o remains to be seen. Either way, it is fair to say that money influences the majority of decisions now and the European Cup has come a long way since two journalists envisaged a competition between champions all those years ago. Many people would say that not all changes have been for the better – but the thoughts of the fans are not always UEFA’s priority it seems.

ABOVE: Ajax won the 1973 European Cup by playing only seven games

LEFT: Real Madrid have won the European Cup/ Champions League a record 13 times

RIGHT: The famous big-eared trophy - o cially known as the Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens - has had its current design since 1967

FAR RIGHT: Aguero with the Europa League Trophy in 2010

Dan Roberts takes a look at five major changes to European football since the introduction of the Champions League

NO MORE EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP The Cup Winners’ Cup ran from 1960 until 1999 and was regarded as the second most prestigious club competition after the European Cup. Domestic cup champions qualified for a competition that provided 32 di erent winners in its time.

BEGINNING OF THE EUROPA LEAGUE The UEFA Cup, the third of the three club competitions, was rebranded as the Europa League in 2009, with a group stage similar to the Champions League. Spanish clubs have enjoyed this competition since the change, winning eight of the 12 finals so far.

INTRODUCTION OF THE EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE After over 20 years of only two European club competitions, the Europa Conference League was introduced for the 2021-22 season. The idea behind adding a third competition was to give clubs from lower-rankled nations more chance of continental football.

BIG-MONEY CLUBS GIVEN BETTER CHANCE OF WINNING The whole idea of the Champions League was to ensure that the wealthier, more famous clubs of Europe had a better chance of winning the competition – and to make money from lucrative TV deals. The broadcasters want to show the big teams, so they are given byes to the seeded group stage to give them a better chance of progressing.

MORE BREAKAWAYS PLANNED Even the almost-guaranteed group stage appearance has not been enough for the supposed elite of Europe though. A group of 20 top clubs proposed a virtually closed-shop European Super League last year to maximise TV rights and profits. The idea was soon shot down, but we haven’t seen the last of breakaway leagues and competitions.

2021 RECORD: 13-9-12, 51 points (Fifth Place, Lost In First Round Of Playo s) HEAD COACH: Gonzalo Pineda KEY PLAYERS: DEF Miles Robinson, MID Luiz Araujo, FWD Josef Martinez KEY ADDITION: MID Oswaldo Alonso (Minnesota United FC) KEY DEPARTURE: DEF Anton Walkes (Trade-Charlotte FC), FWD Ezequiel Barco (River Plate-Loan), and DEF George Bello (Arminia Bielefeld)

OUTLOOK: 2021 was a tail of two halves for Atlanta with the side struggling to get out of the gate and ending the season winning eleven of their final sixteen matches. Bringing Pineda in certainly helped. However, having a fully healthy Martinez leading the attack made the biggest di erence with the Venezuelan international scoring seven goals during that stretch. The transfer of Bello leaves a bit of a hole in the defense but if Alonso can provide some support, then the side should be fine. Keep an eye on Araujo, who came through midseason last year and provided balance in the midfield. If he can find his attacking stroke, Atlanta may be line for another title.

2021 RECORD: 9-18-7, 34 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Ezra Hendrickson KEY PLAYERS: GK Gabriel Slonia, MID Mauricio Pineda, and FWD Chinoso O or KEY ADDITIONS: GK Spencer Richey (FC Cincinnati), DEF Rafael Czichos (FC Koln), and MID Xherdan Shaqiri (Lyon) KEY DEPARTURES: FWD Robert Beric (Option Declined) and MID Francisco Calvo (Option Declined),

OUTLOOK: After another disastrous season at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the Fire made a complete overhaul this o season changing the logo and bringing in Hendrickson and Shaqiri. Hendrickson’s extensive experience in the youth academies at both the Crew and Sounders makes him the perfect coach to lead an incredibly young Fire side.

2021 RECORD: Did Not Play HEAD COACH: Miguel Angel Rodriguez KEY PLAYERS: DEF Christian Fuchs (Leicester City), DEF Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City), DEF Anton Walkes (Atlanta United FC), DEF Joseph Mora (D.C. United), FWD Ben Bender (University of Maryland-College)

OUTLOOK: The newcomers of the 2022 season, Charlotte FC enter very much as an unknown quantity. Management has placed an emphasis on building the defense, landing dependable veterans Fuchs, Mora, and Walkes to go alongside youngster Lindsey. The big question for this side is up top with Bender, the number one overall pick out of Maryland, and Vinicius Mello, the 19-year-old from Internacional, making up an exciting, but raw tandem.

2021 RECORD: 4-22-8, 20 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Pat Noonan KEY PLAYERS: MID Allan Cruz, FWD Luciano Acosta, FWD Brenner KEY ADDITIONS: FWD Dominique Badji (Colorado Rapids) and GK Alec Kann (Atlanta United FC) KEY DEPARTURES: MID Florian Valot (Miami FC) and MID Caleb Stanko (PAS Gianna)

OUTLOOK: It is kind of di cult to get out of the bottom of the standings when one is conceding seventy-four goals in a season. Cincinnati made a step to remedy this in the o season, bringing in a defensive-minded coach in Pat Noonan. But the lack of moves to shore up the defense should have fans worried. On the attack, keep an eye on Brenner, who led the side with eight goals last season.

2021 RECORD: 13-13-8, 47 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Caleb Porter KEY PLAYERS: MID Darlington Nagbe, FWD Gyasi Zardes, and FWD Lucas Zelaryan KEY ADDITIONS: MID Yaw Yeboah (Wislaw Krakow), MID James Igbekeme (Real Zaragoza) KEY DEPARTURES: DEF Harrison A ul (Charlotte FC) and DEF Aboubacar Keita (Colorado Rapids)

OUTLOOK: For the Crew, this o season has been less about making major changes and more about getting healthy. Major injuries to Kevin Molino, Artur, Aidan Morris, and Zardes all hampered the Crew’s title defense in 2021. Newcomer Yaw Yeboah should help alleviate some of the pressure on Zelarayan, who is one of the top playmakers in the league.

2021 RECORD: 12-17-5, 41 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Phil Neville KEY PLAYERS: FWD Gonzalo Higuain, FWD Robbie Robinson, MID Gregore KEY ADDITIONS: DEF DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray), GK Clement Diop (CF Montreal), and FWD Leonardo Campana (Wolverhampton-Loan) KEY DEPARTURES: FWD Federico Higuain (Retired), MID Rodolfo Pizarro (CF Monterrey), FWD Blaise Matuidi (released)

OUTLOOK: Entering year three, Miami still seems like it is searching for a personality. Despite featuring the Higuain brothers and Matuidi, the side only scored thirty-six goals last season, tied for second lowest in the league. There seems to be a youth movement developing within the club with Robinson (4 goals last season) and Midfielder Edison Azcona leading the charge. It may not bring success this season, but it should benefit the club in the long-term. 2021 RECORD: 14-15-5, 47 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Hernan Losada KEY PLAYERS: GK Bill Hamid, MID Edison Flores, MID Julian Gressel, and MID Moses Nyeman KEY ADDITIONS: MID Ted Ku-DiPietro (Loudoun United FC), DEF Brad Smith (Seattle Sounders FC), and FWD Taxiarchis Fountas (Rapid Vienna) Key Departures: MID Paul Arriola (FC Dallas) and MID Kevin Paredes (VFL Wolfsburg)

OUTLOOK: Once again, United supporters are wondering what their side is trying to be. After selling Arriola and Paredes in the o season with minimal in return, the side are during a rebuild. That is not necessarily a bad thing as the side seems more willing to invest in their Academy program. But it leaves the senior team at a disadvantage. Fountas is an unproven attacker and a gamble for a side that will struggle to score goals. All hope on the attack depends on Ola Kamara, who has been rumored to be leaving, as well as Flores and Gressel remaining healthy.

2021 RECORD:12-12-10, 46 points (Did Not Make The Playo s, Won The Canadian Championship) HEAD COACH: Wilifred Nancy KEY PLAYERS: FWD Romell Quioto, MID Djordje Mihailovic, DEF Zachary Brault Guillard KEY ADDITIONS: DEF Alistair Johnston (Nashville SC), DEF Gabriele Corbo (Bologna-Loan) KEY DEPARTURES: DEF Mustafa Kizza (Option Declined)

OUTLOOK: Montreal came within just a whisker of making the Eastern Conference playo s, a testament to the work that Nancy put in quickly after taking over as Head Coach. The club’s spine of Brault-Guillard, Mihailovic, Quioto (9 goals), and Mason Toye (7 goals) is one of the strongest in the league. Adding Johnston (one of the top young Canadian defenders) and Corbo (an Italian Youth National Team player) to a defense that struggled at times should push them back into the playo s in 2022.

2021 RECORD: 22-5-7, 73 points (Supporters Shield, Eastern Conference Semifinalist) HEAD COACH: Bruce Arena KEY PLAYERS: MID Gustavo Bou, MID Carles Gil, and FWD Adam Buksa KEY ADDITIONS: FWD Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), MID Sebastian Lleget (Los Angeles Galaxy), and DEF Omar Gonzalez (Toronto FC) KEY DEPARTURES: GK Matt Turner (Arsenal-will be leaving in June), MID Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge)

OUTLOOK: 2021 was an important season for the Revs, with the side winning their first-ever Supporters Shield. However, their dramatic elimination on penalties in the Conference Semifinals ended the season on a sour note. The front o ce went into full ‘win now’ mode in the o season, adding Altidore, Lleget, and Gonzalez to an already veteran-heavy side. The hope is that Lleget can replace Buchanan’s speed and playmaking ability while Arena can get reignite Altidore and Gonzalez. While that certainly sounds feasible the club has yet to solve the biggest question: What will they do when Matt Turner heads o to Arsenal? That is a massive hole for a side with MLS Cup ambitions.

2021 RECORD: 13-12-9, 48 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Gerhard Struber KEY PLAYERS: GK Ryan Meara, DEF Aaron Long, and MID Caden Clark KEY ADDITIONS: MID Lewis Morgan (Inter Miami FC) and FWD Jesus Castellano (Yaracuyanos) KEY DEPARTURES: MID Daniel Royer (Free Agent) and MID Sean Davis (Nashville SC)

OUTLOOK: Last year, the Red Bulls were devastated by injuries and by inconsistent play on the attack. Having Long fully healthy helps resolve the first part. The question now is can they get enough goals to keep up in the Eastern Conference. Having Clark’s loan from RB Leipzig helps but Patrick Klimala (eight goals in twenty-one matches) needs to prove his value, or it will be another long season for Struber’s side.

2021 RECORD: 14-11-9, 51 points (Third Place, MLS Cup Champion) HEAD COACH: Ronny Deila KEY PLAYERS: FWD Valentin Castellanos, GK Sean Johnson. KEY ADDITION: MLS Cup Trophy! KEY DEPARTURE: MID James Sands (Rangers-Loan)

OUTLOOK: It is hard to improve upon a season in which one wins the MLS Cup, but NYCFC will look to expand their trophy case in 2022. Aside from Sands heading o to Rangers, the side remains unchanged from the team that shocked the league en route to their first title. For NYCFC to get back to the podium they will need another robust performance up top from Castellanos (19 goals) and Heber (16 goals).

2021 RECORD: 13-9-12, 52 points (Sixth Place, Defeated In The First Round Of The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Oscar Pareja KEY PLAYERS: FWD Alexandre Pato, MID Mauricio Pereyra, and DEF Joao Moutinho KEY ADDITIONS: FWD Facundo Torres (Penarol), FWD Ercan Kara (Rapid Vienna), and MID Cesar Araujo (Montevideo) KEY DEPARTURES: FWD Daryl Dike (West Bromwich Albion), FWD Nani (Venezia), and MID Chris Mueller (Aberdeen)

OUTLOOK: The Purple Lions are ready to roar in 2022. Despite losing Nani and Dike, management made a huge splash in picking Uruguayan international Torres and Austrian international Kara. Those two, coupled with another strong campaign from a rebuilt Pato, could put Orlando in prime position for some silverware.

2021 RECORD: 14-8-12, 54 points (Second Place, Eastern Conference Semifinalist) HEAD COACH: Jim Curtin KEY PLAYERS: MID Brendan Aaronson, MID Leon Flach, DEF Kai Wagner, and DEF Olivier Mbaizo KEY ADDITIONS: FWD Mikael Uhre (Brondby) and DEF Anton Sorensen (Homegrown Player) KEY DEPARTURES: FWD Kacper Przyblko (Chicago Fire)

OUTLOOK: The Union made very few moves in the o season, banking on an additional year of seasoning may lead the young side to greater fortunes. Adding Uhre to replace Przyblko is not an exact like-for-like trade but the Danish international should step in perfectly. The big question is whether the side can maintain their momentum through the season with Aaronson and Wagner both o to Europe in the summer. Keep an eye on Flach, who broke out midway through the 2022 campaign and will be asked to handle greater responsibilities this season in the midfield. 2021 RECORD: 6-18-10, 28 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Bob Bradley KEY PLAYERS: FWD Lorenzo Insigne, MID Jonathan Osorio, DEF Carlos Salcedo KEY ADDITIONS: Insigne (Napoli), Salcedo (Tigres), and Bradley (LAFC) KEY DEPARTURES: FWD Jozy Altidore (New England Revolution), FWD Yeferson Soteldo (Tigres), and DEF Richie Laryea (Nottingham Forest)

OUTLOOK: Toronto are the biggest dark horse in the Eastern Conference. The Reds cleared house in the o season, bringing in Insigne and Salcedo while also making a major managerial change with Bradley taking the helm. Those moves, coupled with better luck in terms of injuries, should push TFC back into the playo s. If they can get more depth in the midfield, they may be able to reach even bigger heights.

2021 RECORD: 9-21-4, 31 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Josh Wol KEY PLAYERS: MID Diego Fagundez and MID Cecilio Dominguez KEY ADDITIONS: MID Daniel Pereira (Virginia Tech), DEF Zan Kolmanic (NK Maribor), and MID Jhojan Valencia (Deportivo Cali) KEY DEPARTURES: DEF Matt Besler (retired) and MID Ulises Segura (Saprissa)

OUTLOOK: Austin had a fantastic debut season in terms of crowds and stadium experience. The on-field product, however, left a lot to be desired. Although the partnership of Fagundez-Dominguez in the midfield should be stronger in 2022, the club still lacks depth up top. Kolmanic, 21, is one of the top young European left-backs and a potential steal for the fledgling side.

2021 RECORD: 17-7-10, 61 points (First Place, Conference Semifinalist) HEAD COACH: Robin Fraser KEY PLAYERS: FWD Jonathan Lewis, MID Mark Anthony-Kaye, and DEF Lalas Abubakar KEY ADDITIONS: DEF Aboubacar Keita (Columbus Crew) and MID Max Alves (Flamengo) KEY DEPARTURES: DEF Auston Trusty (Arsenal FC-Leaving In July), MID Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), MID Cole Bassett (Feyernoord), FWD Dominique Badji (FC Cincinnati)

OUTLOOK: After a successful 2021, Colorado took the o season and…rebuild? The Trusty and Bassett deals will hurt in the short-term, but their transfer values will benefit their club in the long-term. That is not to say the side cannot compete; the additions of a veteran defender like Keita and a speedster like Alves are solid replacements. But the Acosta trade will really hurt, especially in the big matches.

2021 RECORD: 7-15-12, 33 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Nico Estevez KEY PLAYERS: MID Paxton Pomykal, FWD Jesus Fereira, and DEF Matt Hedges KEY ADDITIONS: GK Maarten Paes (FC Utrecht-Loan), MID Paul Arriola (D.C. United), and FWD Alan Velasco (Independiente) KEY DEPARTURE: MID Ricardo Pepi (FC Augsburg) and MID Justin Che (TSG Ho enheim-Loan)

OUTLOOK: Dallas were once again the talk of the o season, shipping Pepi o to Augsburg for a reported $20 million. The additions of Arriola, one of the most creative outside midfielders in MLS, and Velasco, a 19-year-old Argentina youth international, are results of that transfer and two deals that immediately put Dallas back into playo contention. If Pomykal and Fereira can shake o a poor 2021 campaign The Hoops may have a chance at a deep run towards the Cup.

2021 RECORD: 12-13-9, 45 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Steve Cherundolo KEY PLAYERS: FWD Cristian Arango, FWD Carlos Vela, and MID MoonHwan Kim KEY ADDITIONS: MID Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids) and FWD Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (New York City FC) KEY DEPARTURES: MID Eduard Atuesta (Palmeiras) and MID Bryce Duke (Inter Miami FC)

OUTLOOK: LAFC had a rare sputter last season, failing to make the playo s for the first time in their existence. The club parted ways with long-time manager Bob Bradley and brought on Cherundolo, who has an extensive amount of coaching experience in the U.S. and Germany. The cupboard is not bare in LA in terms of talent. Arango had fourteen goals in 2021 and Moon-Hwan dominated in the midfield. Adding Acosta and Tajouri-Shradi should help their depth. The question is if he can repair a strained locker room, which was a major contribution for their slide last season.

2021 RECORD: 6-16-12, 30 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Paulo Nagamura KEY PLAYERS: FWD Darwin Quintero, MID Darwin Ceren, and DEF Tim Parker KEY ADDITION: FWD Sebastian Ferreira (Club Libertad) KEY DEPARTURES: DEF Maynor Figueroa (released) and DEF Oscar Boniek Garcia (released)

OUTLOOK: The Dynamo struggled to score last season so its little surprise that they made a big splash in picking up Ferreira, who scored thirty-eight goals in the last two years for Libertad. Beyond that though the side have been quiet. Given his track record at Sporting Kansas City II for giving younger players opportunities, Nagamura may be wanting to use this season to rebuild.

2021 RECORD: 13-12-9, 48 points (Did Not Make The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Greg Vanney KEY PLAYERS: FWD Javier Hernandez, MID Efrain Alvarez, and DEF Julian Araujo KEY ADDITION: MID Douglas Costa (Juventus-Loan) and MID Raheem Edwards (LAFC) KEY DEPARTURE: MID Sebastian Lleget (New England Revolution),

OUTLOOK: On paper, the Galaxy should be contending for the MLS Cup this season. With Douglas Costa joining a rejuvenated Chicharito (17 goals in 2021) and two up-and-coming talents in Alvarez and Araujo Vanney has the blueprint for a big run. But LA really have not done much to improve their depth and against sides that can match their attacking prowess, they will struggle.

2021 RECORD: 13-11-10, 49 points (Fifth Place, First Round Of The Playo s) HEAD COACH: Adrian Heath KEY PLAYERS: MID Wil Trapp and MID Robin Lod KEY ADDITION: FWD Bongokhule Hlongwane (Maritzburg United) KEY DEPARTURES: MID Ethan Finlay (Austin FC) and MID Ossie Alonso (Atlanta United FC)

OUTLOOK: The Loons ‘never say die’ attitude propelled them to their second consecutive playo appearance in 2021. Can they build o it 2022 and get some silverware? Much of that will depend upon Lod, who had a breakout campaign last season with nine goals. In the defense, look for Dayne St. Clair to take on more responsibility in goal. 2021 RECORD: 12-4-18, 54 points (Third Place-Eastern Conference, Conference Semifinalist) HEAD COACH: Gary Smith KEY PLAYERS: MID Hany Mukhtar, FWD CJ Sapong, and DEF Walker Zimmerman KEY ADDITION: MID Sean Davis (New York Red Bulls) KEY DEPARTURES: DEF Alistair Johnston (CF Montreal), FWD Jhonder Cadiz (Loan declined)

OUTLOOK: Nashville followed up their inaugural season with an even stronger 2022, dominating on both sides of the pitch. Mukhtar and Sapong formed one of the strongest 1-2 attacking combinations in the league (27 combined goals). Trading Johnston to get Jack Maher (their first-round pick in 2021) more time is a gamble. But the addition of Davis as a defensive midfielder should help o set any issues.

2021 RECORD: 17-13-4, 55 points (Fourth Place, MLS Cup Finalist) HEAD COACH: Giovanni Savarese KEY PLAYERS: MID Dairon Asprilla, FWD Yimmi Chara, and FWD Felipe Mora KEY ADDITION: MID David Ayala (Estudiantes) KEY DEPARTURE: MID Diego Valeri (Lanus)

OUTLOOK: It is hard to improve upon a year in which one misses an MLS Cup trophy because of penalties. This may be why Timbers management were quiet this o season. While the team will certainly miss Valeri’s spark and leadership, Ayala is a nice long-term replacement. Keep an eye on Mora, who had a terrific eleven goals in his first season for Portland, as a possible Golden Boot winner.

2021 RECORD: 14-14-6, 48 points (Seventh Place-Western Conference, Western Conference Finalist) HEAD COACH: Pablo Mastroeni KEY PLAYERS: MID Damir Kreilach, FWD Rubio Rubin, and GK David Ochoa KEY ADDITIONS: FWD Sergio Cordova (FC Augsburg-Loan) and MID Scott Caldwell (New England Revolution KEY DEPARTURE: FWD Albert Rusnak (Seattle Sounders FC)

OUTLOOK: Last year’s Cinderella side will be hoping that their magic has not run out in year two of the Mastroeni era. Between the posts, Ochoa is one of the best goalkeepers in the league and the heir apparent for El Tri. While their defensive unit is strong, they will need another robust performance from Kreilach (16 goals in 2021) and Rubin (eight goals in 2021) to make back into the playo s.