Major League Soccer prides itself on being unpredictable, but it still has its usual suspects who are annual favorites to contend for MLS Cup. The suspects usually being Seattle, LAFC, Sporting Kansas, Toronto, and a few others. With these teams being the favorites, they usually are the golden boys of the league and get the majority of media coverage. But let’s be honest… sometimes teams who just win year after year just get boring to follow (unless you are a fan of them).
I want to focus on the teams that perhaps no one is talking about, have had eventful off-seasons, or are just straight-up enigmas. I’m not necessarily saying all these teams are MLS Cup dark horses or will be any good at all but rather each being an interesting, unique case for differing reasons. So interesting, that I recommend keeping track of these clubs even if you aren’t a fan.
FC Cincinnati
The other “Queen City,” ew, I know. Hear me out though. While the majority of teams in MLS have had a slow transfer window, FC Cincinnati has been busy. They managed to win the race to sign the highly touted, Brazilian international, Brenner. He had been linked to moves to several different European clubs including Juventus, Arsenal, and AC Milan. Cincinnati shocked everyone when they ended up being the team that got him.
In addition to Brenner, Cincinnati has also signed ex-DC United playmaker, Luciano Acosta. He had a spectacular 2018 season in MLS notching 10 goals and 15 assists before earning a move to Liga MX. However, he only managed 5 goal contributions in Mexico. Whether he can reproduce that 2018 season on a consistent basis is yet to be seen. Most recently, they’ve signed the exciting, young Ghanaian winger Isaac Atanga who will bring more dynamism to the FCC attack.
Regardless, one of Cincinnati’s biggest struggles in the 2020 season was chance creation and they’ve gone out and signed three possible solutions to that problem. On top of all this, Cincinnati will be playing in their brand new, state-of-the-art stadium that is arguably the best in the league. FC Cincinnati has finished in last place in their first two seasons but this could be the season they start turning things around. While far from a finished product, Cincinnati will be looking to have its first winning season in 2021.
Austin FC
This the most obvious on this list simply because you can never really predict how an inaugural team will perform. A perfect example was last season when Inter Miami dominated headlines but it was Nashville who ended up having the surprising but better inaugural season. Austin FC has gone out and built a solid roster that if everything clicks they could very well be making the playoffs their first season.
They’ve gone out and signed some tantalizing South American players mixed with MLS veterans. Midfielder Tomas Pochettino and winger Cecilio Dominguez come into the league as Designated Players and will look to lead the Austin FC attack. Underlooked additions to this roster are young defenders, Jhohan Romaña and Žan Kolmanič, both looking to prove themselves in a better league. Speaking of youth, because they are an inaugural team, they got the first pick of the draft and selected Generation Adidas player, Daniel Pereira. He will have a good mentor in the midfield with Alex Ring, who Austin acquired from NYCFC and is highly regarded as one of the best midfielders in MLS.
Other notable MLS veterans that Austin has acquired are Nick Lima, Matt Besler, Diego Fagundez, Kekuta Manneh, and Ben Sweat all of which who have been consistent, solid players in MLS. Austin has gone out and built not only a talented roster but a balanced one. Only time will tell if first-time head coach, Josh Wolff can get the most out of their roster.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps are a weird team, but that’s what makes them so intriguing. They don’t really have an identity but have shown glimpses of being playoff contenders. They had a solid midfield and have built upon it with the signing of young Brazilian, Caio Alexandre. Alexandre played more as a defensive midfielder at Botafogo, but with Whitecaps already deep in that position, the assumption is that he will play a more advanced 8 role. Alexandre will need to use his more advanced role and passing range to create counters for the team.
The Whitecaps have also signed another South American in winger Déiber Caicedo who will add speed and dribbling ability to the Whitecaps attack. Just as surprising as the signing of Caio Alexandre, the Whitecaps also signed right-back Bruno Gaspar from Sporting CP in Portugal. Gaspar is entering his prime and will be the fullback partner to Ali Adnan who is arguably the best left-back in MLS. It will be in the Whitecaps’ best interest to get the most out of this fullback pairing that has the potential to be the best in the league.
Whitecaps already had a solid foundation for their roster entering this off-season and they’ve gone out and built upon it. Their coach, Marc Dos Santos, was all over the place last season when it came to tactics and formations. He will need to be more consistent this season for the Whitecaps to consistently win. As of right now, the Whitecaps are built as a counter-attacking team and could be electric if all cylinders are firing. We will see if the Whitecaps of the 2021 season will be more like the impressive side that beat LAFC 2 – 1 or the disastrous one that lost to LAFC 6 – 0 that we saw last season. Or both…
Colorado Rapids
The Rapids were a pleasant surprise last season finishing 5th in the East led by a core of young Americans. Instead of depending on Designated players, the Rapids have put a heavy reliance on youth and some underlooked European talent. The investment in youth bore its fruit last season when young players like Sam Vines and Cole Bassett really took their games to the next level. Rapids were the underdogs in most games but always played with a chip on their shoulder. When their backs were pinned against the wall is when they played their best.
However, they have to start stringing together consistent performances week in and week out. Not only winning the high pressure games but the easier games they should be winning comfortably. Inconsistency normally accompanies a predominantly young squad and it will be up to coach, Robin Fraser, to build upon last season and create consistency. Another key will be to get the most out of their only designated player, Younes Namli.
Namli is the catalyst for the Colorado Rapids and getting greater production out of him is going to be essential to go further this season. Kellyn Acosta will also need to step up and begin to dominate games in the midfield. Lalas Abubakar will need to continue to be the rock at the back and continue as one of the best centrebacks in the league. If Colorado can get all these different components working together consistently week in and week out they could potentially be one of the most dangerous teams in the West.
New York Red Bulls
The once-great giants of the East, the New York Red Bulls, have fallen in recent years. However, there is hope for the 2021 season. Like the Rapids, their hope lies in their youth. Their youth combined with still recently acquired coach, Gerhard Struber. Struber comes straight from the Red Bull footballing system which prides itself on not only playing youth but relying on them. Their footballing philosophy is the epitome of modern soccer which is high pressing, possession-based football.
Struber started implementing this system late last season but has now had an entire off-season to drill it into his team. He has some exciting young players to carry out this system in Caden Clark, Dru Yearwood, Andrés Reyes, Cameron Harper, Kyle Duncan, Cristian Cásseres Jr., and others. The youth will also be supported by solid MLS veterans in Aaron Long, Daniel Royer, and Florian Valot. The recent drama with designated player Kaku signing with another team while still under contract at Red Bulls is still a major question mark come the beginning of the season.
Whether Kaku plays for the Red Bulls this season or not, there is still plenty to be excited for in this team. We could see the revival of the New York Red Bulls being ignited by Struber and his young core of players this upcoming season. Regardless of whether Red Bulls win or not, watching how Struber utilizes his youth will be something to look forward to.
Conclusion
As we wait for Charlotte to get on the pitch in 2022, consider following the journey of the following five teams this season and who knows, they could surprise us. If you aren’t a Charlotte fan, whether you are a neutral or already have a team, they might be worth tuning into watch.
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