2021 MLS season preview: Key info on all 27 clubs ahead of kick-off
Major League Soccer returns for its 26th season in 2021, with the brand new season kicking off on Friday April 16 when Houston Dynamo host San Jose Earthquakes in the opening game of the year.
MLS has expanded to 27 clubs in 2021 as a result of Austin FC joining the competition and becoming the third club from Texas. This season will also be an important sophomore year in the league for both Inter Miami and Nashville, while FC Cincinnati are entering their third campaign.
Columbus Crew, one of the league’s founder members way back in 1996, are reigning champions after beating Seattle Sounders in the 2020 MLS Cup final. But they will have plenty of competition to hold onto that title, with Los Angeles FC, Toronto FC, Orlando City, Minnesota United, Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers among those teams predicted to do well in 2021.
The 2021 regular season will wrap in early November, with the club top of the overall standings to be awarded the Supporters’ Shield as normal, and the MLS Cup playoffs will begin later that month. The season finale is scheduled for December 11.
The first transfer window of the season opened last month and remains open until 1 June, while the mid-season window will follow between July 7 and August 5.
Read on for a rundown of the key information on all 27 clubs ahead of the new season...
Eastern Conference
Atlanta United
MLS debut: 2017
Last season: Did not qualify for playoffs (12th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Josef Martinez, Ezequiel Barco, Alan Franco
Major signings: Alan Franco, Lisandro Lopez, Erik Lopez, Santiago Sosa
Coach: Gabriel Heinze
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (42,500)
2021 opening match: @ Orlando City (April 17)
Chicago Fire
MLS debut: 1998
Last season: Did not qualify for playoffs (11th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Ignacio Aliseda, Robert Beric, Gaston Gimenez
Major signings: Stanislav Ivanov, Jhon Espinoza
Coach: Raphael Wicky
Stadium: Soldier Field (24,995)
2021 opening match: vs New England Revolution (April 17)
FC Cincinnati
MLS debut: 2019
Last season: Did not qualify for playoffs (14th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Brenner, Jurgen Locadia, Luciano Acosta
Major signings: Brenner, Jurgen Locadia, Luciano Acosta, Ronald Mataritta
Coach: Jaap Stam
Stadium: West End Stadium (26,000)
2021 opening match: @ Nashville SC (April 17)
Columbus Crew
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: MLS Cup champions (3rd in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Darlington Nagbe, Lucas Zelarayan, Gyasi Zardes
Major signings: Bradley Wright-Phillips, Perry Kitchen, Alexandru Matan
Coach: Caleb Porter
Stadium: New Crew Stadium (20,000)
2021 opening match: vs Philadelphia Union (April 18)
D.C. United
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: Did not qualify for playoffs (13th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Edison Flores, Paul Arriola (out on loan)
Major signings: Nigel Robertha, Brendan Hines-Ike
Coach: Hernan Losada
Stadium: Audi Field (20,000)
2021 opening match: vs New York City (April 17)
Inter Miami CF
MLS debut: 2020
Last season: Play-in round of playoffs (10th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Gonzalo Higuain, Rodolfo Pizarro, Matias Pellegrini
Major signings: Ryan Shawcross, Gregore, Joevin Jones, Kelvin Leerdam
Coach: Phil Neville
Stadium: Inter Miami CF Stadium (18,000)
2021 opening match: vs LA Galaxy (April 18)
CF Montreal
MLS debut: 2012 (as Montreal Impact)
Last season: Play-in round of playoffs (9th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Victor Wanyama
Major signings: Djordje Mihailovic, Aljaz Struna, Bjorn Johnsen
Coach: Wilfried Nancy
Stadium: Saputo Stadium (19,619)
2021 opening match: vs Toronto FC (April 17)
Nashville SC
MLS debut: 2020
Last season: Eastern Conference semi-finals (7th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Randall Leal, Hany Mukhtar, Jhonder Cadiz
Major signings: Rodrigo Pinero, C.J. Sapong
Coach: Gary Smith
Stadium: Nissan Stadium (69,143)
2021 opening match: vs FC Cincinnati (April 17)
New England Revolution
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: Eastern Conference final (8th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Gustavo Bou, Adam Buska, Carles Gil
Major signings: AJ DeLaGarza, Christian Mafla, Wilfrid Kaptoum
Coach: Bruce Arena
Stadium: Gillette Stadium (20,000)
2021 opening match: @ Chicago Fire (April 17)
New York City FC
MLS debut: 2015
Last season: First round of playoffs (5th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Maxi Moralez, Jesus Medina
Major signings: Alfredo Morales, Malte Amundsen
Coach: Ronny Deila
Stadium: Yankee Stadium (30,321)
2021 opening match: @ D.C. United (April 17)
New York Red Bulls
MLS debut: 1996 (as NY/NJ MetroStars)
Last season: First round of playoffs (6th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Dru Yearwood
Major signings: Fabio, Andres Reyes, Tom Edwards
Coach: Gerhard Struber
Stadium: Red Bull Arena (25,000)
2021 opening match: vs Sporting Kansas City (April 17)
Orlando City SC
MLS debut: 2015
Last season: Eastern Conference semi-finals (4th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Mauricio Pereyra, Nani
Major signings: Alexandre Pato, Silvester van der Water
Coach: Oscar Pareja
Stadium: Exploria Stadium (25,500)
2021 opening match: vs Atlanta United (April 17)
Philadelphia Union
MLS debut: 2010
Last season: First round of playoffs (1st in Eastern Conference; Supporters’ Shield)
2021 designated players: Jamiro Monteiro
Major signings: Stuart Findlay
Coach: Jim Curtin
Stadium: Subaru Park (18,500)
2021 opening match: @ Columbus Crew (April 18)
Toronto FC
MLS debut: 2007
Last season: First round of playoffs (2nd in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Alejandro Pozuelo, Jozy Altidore
Major signings:
Coach: Chris Armas
Stadium: BMO Field (28,351)
2021 opening match: @ CF Montreal (April 17)
Western Conference
Austin FC
MLS debut: 2021
Last season: N/A
2021 designated players: Tomas Pochettino, Cecilio Dominguez
Major signings: Tomas Pochettino, Cecilio Dominguez, Rodney Redes, Alexander Ring
Coach: Josh Wolff
Stadium: Q2 Stadium (20,500)
2021 opening match: @ Los Angeles FC (April 17)
Colorado Rapids
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: First round of playoffs (5th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Younes Namli
Major signings: Michael Barrios, William Yarbrough
Coach: Robin Fraser
Stadium: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (18,061)
2021 opening match: @ FC Dallas (April 17)
FC Dallas
MLS debut: 1995 (as Dallas Burn)
Last season: Western Conference semi-finals (6th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Bryan Acosta, Franco Jara
Major signings: Jose Martinez, Jader Obrian, Szabolcs Schon
Coach: Luchi Gonzalez
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (20,500)
2021 opening match: vs Colorado Rapids (April 17)
Houston Dynamo FC
MLS debut: 2006
Last season: Did not qualify for playoffs (12th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Darwin Quintero
Major signings: Maxi Urruti, Tim Parker, Fafa Picault, Joe Corona
Coach: Tab Ramos
Stadium: BBVA Stadium (22,039)
2021 opening match: vs San Jose Earthquakes (April 16)
Sporting Kansas City
MLS debut: 1996 (as Kansas City Wizards)
Last season: Western Conference semi-finals (1st in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Johnny Russell, Alan Pulido
Major signings: Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, Remi Walter
Coach: Peter Vermes
Stadium: Children’s Mercy Park (18,467)
2021 opening match: @ New York Red Bulls (April 17)
LA Galaxy
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: Did not qualify for playoffs (10th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Jonathan dos Santos, Javier Hernandez, Kevin Cabral
Major signings: Victor Vazquez, Samuel Grandsir, Derrick Williams, Jorge Villafana
Coach: Greg Vanney
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park (27,000)
2021 opening match: @ Inter Miami (April 18)
Los Angeles FC
MLS debut: 2018
Last season: First round of playoffs (7th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi
Major signings: Kim Moon-hwan, Jesus David Murillo, Corey Baird, Marco Farfan
Coach: Bob Bradley
Stadium: Banc of California Stadium (22,000)
2021 opening match: vs Austin FC (April 17)
Minnesota United
MLS debut: 2017
Last season: Western Conference final (4th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Jan Gregus, Emanuel Reynoso
Major signings: Ramon Abila, Jukka Raitala, Juan Agudelo, Niko Hansen
Coach: Adrian Heath
Stadium: Allianz Field (19,400)
2021 opening match: @ Seattle Sounders (April 16)
Portland Timbers
MLS debut: 2011
Last season: First round of playoffs (3rd in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Sebastian Blanco, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Yimmi Chara
Major signings: Claudio Bravo, Felipe Mora
Coach: Giovanni Savarese
Stadium: Providence Park (25,218)
2021 opening match: @ Vancouver Whitecaps (April 18)
Real Salt Lake
MLS debut: 2005
Last season: Did not qualify for playoffs (11th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Albert Ruznak, Jeizon Ramirez
Major signings: Bobby Wood, Anderson Julio
Coach: Freddy Juarez
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium (20,213)
2021 opening match: @ Minnesota United (April 24)
San Jose Earthquakes
MLS debut: 1996 (as San Jose Clash)
Last season: First round of playoffs (8th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Cristian Espinoza
Major signings: Javier Lopez, Eric Remedi, Luciano Abecasis
Coach: Matias Almeyda
Stadium: Earthquakes Stadium (18,000)
2021 opening match: @ Houston Dynamo (April 16)
Seattle Sounders
MLS debut: 2009
Last season: MLS Cup runners-up (2nd in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Joao Paulo, Raul Ruidiaz, Nicolas Lodeiro
Major signings: Joao Paulo, Fredy Montero, Kelyn Rowe
Coach: Brian Schmeltzer
Stadium: Lumen Field (37,722)
2021 opening match: vs Minnesota United (April 16)
Vancouver Whitecaps
MLS debut: 2011
Last season: Did not qualify for playoffs (9th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Lucas Cavallini, Ali Adnan
Major signings: Deiber Caicedo, Caio Alexandre, Bruno Gaspar,
Coach: Marc Dos Santos
Stadium: BC Place (22,120)
2021 opening match: vs Portland Timbers (April 18)
Click here for a ranked list of the 12 best new MLS kits in 2021
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