Major League Soccer 2021 season predictions: LAFC favored to win its first MLS Cup; Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union, SKC in hunt
With the 2021 Major League Soccer season 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 Columbus Crew become the first repeat MLS Cup winner since the Los Angeles Galaxy did it in 2011-12? Will seemingly perennial favorite Los Angeles FC rise to the occasion and win its first MLS Cup? Which players will make a profound impact on the league’s 26th season? Who will win league MVP honors? Which player will score the most goals and claim the Golden Boot?
Here’s how we see the season unfolding:
Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer
- MLS Cup: Los Angeles FC over Columbus Crew
- Eastern Conference playoff teams: Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union, Orlando City, Nashville SC, New England Revolution, Toronto FC, Atlanta United
- Western Conference playoff teams: Portland Timbers, LAFC, Sporting Kansas City, Minnesota United, FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, Seattle Sounders
- Supporter’s Shield: Columbus Crew
- MVP: Carlos Vela (LAFC)
- Golden Boot: Josef Martinez (Atlanta United)
Mike Craven, Austin American-Statesman
- MLS Cup: Los Angeles FC over Philadelphia Union
- Eastern Conference playoff teams: Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United, New York City FC, Orlando City, Toronto FC, New England Revolution
- Western Conference playoff teams: Los Angeles FC, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Sporting Kansas City, Minnesota United, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy
- Supporter’s Shield: Columbus Crew
- MVP: Carlos Vela
- Golden Boot: Gonzalo Higuaín (Inter Miami)
MORE:Everything you need to know for opening weekend in MLS
Drake Hills, The Tennessean
- MLS Cup: Columbus Crew over Sporting Kansas City
- Eastern Conference playoff teams: Toronto FC, Columbus Crew SC, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Nashville SC
- Western Conference playoff teams: Sporting Kansas City, LAFC, Seattle Sounders FC, Minnesota United, Portland Timbers, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy
- Supporters’ Shield winner: Sporting Kansas City
- MVP: Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City)
- Golden Boot: Pulido
Jacob Myers, The Columbus Dispatch
- MLS Cup: Los Angeles FC over Columbus Crew
- Eastern Conference playoff teams: Columbus Crew, Orlando City SC, New England, Atlanta United, Toronto FC, Philadelphia Union, NYCFC
- Western Conference playoff teams: LAFC, Portland Timbers, Minnesota United, Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids
- Supporters’ Shield winner: LAFC
- MVP: Lucas Zelarayán (Columbus Crew)
- Golden Boot: Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution)
Jim Reineking, USA TODAY Sports
- MLS Cup: Portland Timbers over New England Revolution
- Eastern Conference playoff teams: Atlanta United, Columbus Crew, Nashville SC, New England Revolution, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC
- Western Conference playoff teams: FC Dallas, Los Angeles FC, Los Angeles Galaxy, Minnesota United, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City
- Supporters’ Shield winner: Columbus Crew
- MVP: Carles Gil (New England Revolution)
- Golden Boot: Carlos Vela
