Boehm: How five MLS clubs are shaping up for 2018 CONCACAF Champions League

The preseason has barely begun. But with just 22 days until the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League kicks off, the five MLS teams participating in this year's tournament are racing against time to be ready for the first legs of their respective Round of 16 matchups. 

Here's where each of the five clubs stand as of today:

Colorado Rapids

Underway in Colorado | Courtesy of Rapids

Change is the word up at the Mile High Club, with a new coach, new system and plenty of new faces. Anthony Hudson's wingback-oriented system emphasizes fitness, organization and cohesive movement, all of which take time to build ... maybe more time than the Rapids have got at the moment. Next month they face off with mighty Toronto FC, who are already pretty darn comfortable with their own (treble-winning) tactical identity. Good thing Colorado have four scrimmages scheduled over the next few weeks.

Projected Starting XI (5-3-2, left to right): Tim Howard – Edgar Castillo, Danny Wilson (who's nearly-but-not-quite-officially signed yet), Axel Sjoberg, Tommy Smith, Marlon Hairston – Stefan Aigner, Johan Blomberg, Jack Price – Shkelzen Gashi, Dominique Badji

FC Dallas

FCD's Oscar Pareja | USA Today Sports

Like the Rapids, FC Dallas are turning the page on an unsatisfying year, but have the advantage of those lingering memories from last year's CCL spring, when they generally looked like MLS' best hope before falling to eventual champions Pachuca in a semifinal heartbreaker. Oscar Pareja's TAM-enhanced roster overhaul has a "reloading, not rebuilding" feel to it and other notable signings may yet arrive for a squad already packed with depth. 

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, left to right): Jesse Gonzalez – Anton Nedyalkov, Maynor Figueroa, Matt Hedges, Reggie Cannon – Carlos Gruezo, Kellyn Acosta – Michael Barrios, Mauro Diaz, Roland Lamah – Maxi Urruti

New York Red Bulls

RBNY will have to celebrate without Kljestan in 2018. | USA Today Sports

Another team that opened their season with CCL action a year ago, RBNY have also traded their captain for a second consecutive campaign. In the wake of Dax McCarty's departure, the Red Bulls fell to Vancouver in the 2017 CCL quarterfinals. Will Sacha Kljestan's move to Orlando complicate their hopes of beating Honduran side Olimpia this time around? The loss of a highly productive veteran playmaker looks painful, but it's part of a sustained strategy to keep the squad young, hungry and energetic. The names change, but the high press remains. 

Projected Starting XI (3-3-3-1, left to right): Luis Robles – Fidel Escobar, Aaron Long, Michael Amir Murillo – Kemar Lawrence, Felipe, Tyler Adams – Muhamed Keita, Sean Davis, Daniel Royer – Bradley Wright-Phillips

Seattle Sounders

Roman Torres and Clint Dempsey | USA Today Sports

Joevin Jones is off to Germany and we've all talked way too much about Clint Dempsey's advancing age lately. But the 2016 MLS Cup winners and last year's finalists are mostly tweaking, not reworking their approach. That means a lineup similar to last year's, at least for now. Victor Rodriguez is one of several who may push for bigger roles, while Dempsey has proven capable as both starter and supersub. Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris should hit the ground running after the US national team's January camp. Recurring CCL contenders, the Rave Green will fancy their chances against El Salvador's Santa Tecla next month. Advance, and a colossal clash with Chivas Guadalajara could materialize.

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, left to right): Stefan Frei – Nouhou, Chad Marshall, Roman Torres, Kelvin Leerdam – Gustav Svensson, Cristian Roldan – Jordan Morris, Clint Dempsey, Nicolas Lodeiro – Will Bruin

Toronto FC

Hunting hardware | USA Today Sports

As is so often the case for champions, some of the awesome depth has been stripped from TFC's roster in the wake of their epic 2017 trophy haul. That fearsomely effective starting lineup is mostly intact, though, and the club reportedly has upwards of $5 million in TAM available to spend. Having played into December, they shouldn't have too much rust caked on as they chase another milestone. Whether in a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 diamond, the Reds' philosophies are well established and they're a big reason TFC will be expected to dispatch new-look Colorado, especially once you've taken a glimpse at Toronto's average temperatures in February. 

Projected Starting XI (3-5-2, left to right): Alex Bono – Chris Mavinga, Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta – Justin Morrow, Marky Delgado, Michael Bradley, Victor Vazquez, Nicolas Hasler – Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore