The 20th MLS season sure did deliver a lot of surprises. Some of the traditional powers struggled, while young, up-and-coming teams took the league by storm. In the end, the Portland Timbers came away with the 2015 MLS Cup.
With the 2016 MLS regular season set to begin on Sunday, March 6, can the Timbers successfully hold on to their title, or will another upstart team go on to claim the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy? Let’s take a look at some of those teams, as well as their odds of winning the 2016 MLS Cup.
Despite claiming the Supporters’ Shield – the award for the team with the best regular season record – the New York Red Bulls were upset over two legs by Columbus in the Eastern Conference final. But with a terrific attack that led the league with 62 goals in 2015 remaining intact, the Red Bulls are currently the overall favorites at +550 to go all the way this season.
As good as the Red Bulls are going forward, though, their defense will have some significant question marks after losing young center back Matt Miazga to Chelsea and his partner Damien Perrinelle still recovering from the knee injury he sustained in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Galaxy
The LA Galaxy are still in win-now mode, and they’ve doubled down on that strategy with their offseason moves. LA added veteran defender Ashley Cole, experienced midfielder Nigel de Jong and Belgian international Jelle van Damme to a star-studded group that already includes Robbie Keane (20 goals in 2015), Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos.
But even with those recognizable names and their favorable +650 odds of winning the MLS Cup this year, it remains to be seen whether manager Bruce Arena can make all the pieces fit into a cohesive unit capable of making another run to the cup.
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers came from nowhere to claim their first ever MLS Cup last season, and are generously priced at +650 to repeat that feat this year. There have been only three repeat champions in the first 20 MLS seasons, but Portland’s odds of becoming the fourth don’t seem too farfetched considering all the talent that returns.
Their midfield of Diego Chara, Diego Valeri, and Darlington Nagbe is outstanding, while striker Fanendo Adi enjoyed a breakout campaign with 16 goals. Things could get dicey if Chara or Adi goes down for a significant amount of time, but if healthy, the Timbers should be challengers atop the West.
One of the Timbers’ stiffest rivals for the cup will be their Cascadia Cup rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Caps had their best regular season finish ever in MLS last season. They finished with the third-best record in the league, but were knocked out by the eventual champion Timbers in the playoffs.
The Caps aren’t the most prolific offensive team, but Octavio Rivero should be better after a decent debut season, while new signings Blas Perez and Masato Kudo can be capable weapons in reserve. Of course, the attack will hinge on the health of indispensable playmaker Pedro Morales. If Morales can make more than the 15 starts he had last season, the Caps’ +1,400 odds to win the title could be a steal.
New England Revolution
There’s no question that the loss of Jermaine Jones is huge for the Revs, but don’t sleep on this team’s ability to rally without their big star. It certainly helps that the Revs still have an MVP-caliber player in Lee Nguyen pulling the strings. The 29-year old has been one of the league’s best players for two seasons running. He’s scored 25 goals and set up 15 more during that span.
The Revs also reinforced their depth at the back and in midfield over the offseason, which should provide a nice, solid base as Nguyen, Juan Agudelo and Diego Fagundez work their magic up front. At a price of +2,800, the Revs are worth taking the risk as a dark horse title challenger.
Long Shot
Orlando SC
Orlando fell some way short of making the playoffs in their debut season in the MLS, but there will definitely be quite a bit of optimism heading into their sophomore campaign. 20-year old Cyle Larin was a revelation with 17 goals, while Brazilian superstar Kaka (nine goals and seven assists in 28 games) had a surprisingly productive season.
The addition of midfielder Antonio Nocerino will add some much-needed veteran leadership to what is still a young core. As evidenced by their +3,300 odds, Orlando winning the MLS Cup is quite a leap. But out of all the teams in the lower half of the league, the Lions have the highest upside of making a shock run.
Writer’s Prediction
With Morales healthy, the Whitecaps (+1,400) make it back-to-back Pacific Northwest winners of the MLS Cup.
