MLSsoccer.com gets you set for the season ahead with the most comprehensive 2020 Season Preview you'll find anywhere.
Our club-by-club snapshots get you caught up on all the biggest offseason moves, strengths and weaknesses provided by Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle, projected starting XIs and predicted finishes for every team.
The historic 25th season of MLS, featuring more teams than ever, kicks off February 29.
Atlanta United FC
Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer may be facing an even bigger challenge in 2020 than he did in his first year in charge of the Five Stripes when the team came within two wins of a treble of trophies. Team preview & starting XI
Chicago Fire FC
It's a fresh start in many ways for Chicago Fire FC in 2020 as it returns to Soldier Field. But patience will be needed for the new regime to remake the squad and match the newfound ambitions of the club and its supporters. Team preview & starting XI
FC Cincinnati
There's nowhere to go but up for FC Cincinnati after 2019 and the hope is that a new-look attack can help change their fortunes in 2020. Even with the resignation of their head coach two weeks before the season, FCC will still have the goal of showing real progress ahead of the move to a new stadium in 2021. Team preview & starting XI
Colorado Rapids
Expectations in 2020 are higher and playoff contention is the bar for the new-look Rapids after they made significant improvements to a squad that was already one of the most entertaining to watch in MLS at the end of last year. Team preview & starting XI
Columbus Crew SC
Don't sleep on Crew SC in 2020: The team is shaping up to be a force in the East after making some major moves in the offseason. It's a big year as they look to build some serious momentum with a new stadium coming in 2021. Team preview & starting XI
FC Dallas
In 2020 FC Dallas won plenty of respect by qualifying for the postseason while promoting academy talent to the starting lineup. With their offseason moves, the club looks to go from pleasant surprise to serious contender. Team preview & starting XI
D.C. United
D.C. United have made significant investments during the offseason to prepare for a new era without Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta. The mission in 2020: a deeper playoff run in search of a first MLS Cup title since 2004. Team preview & starting XI
Houston Dynamo
All eyes are on new Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos to see if the former USMNT great can replicate at club level the impressive work he performed for the U.S. Under-20 side for the best part of the previous decade. Team preview & starting XI
LAFC
After logging the best regular season in MLS history, the primary goal for LAFC – outside of the Concacaf Champions League – is to win 2020 MLS Cup and avenge two consecutive years of shock postseason defeats at home. Team preview & starting XI
LA Galaxy
After two years of the Zlatan Ibrahimovic show, the LA Galaxy will hope that the team — and perhaps a certain Mexican striker — will be the star in 2020 as manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto gets a chance to put his imprint on the team. Team preview & starting XI
Inter Miami CF
With David Beckham cheering on and a demanding city watching on, can Inter Miami meet lofty expectations as an expansion club? The pressure's on two-time Champions League-winning head coach Diego Alonso to pull it off. Team preview & starting XI
Minnesota United FC
After a club-record season in 2019, MNUFC are looking to stay among the MLS elite. To do that they've added some impressive attacking firepower to a team that was already among the league's best defensive units last year. Team preview & starting XI
Montreal Impact
New head coach and soccer legend Thierry Henry will be charged with shaping a new identity in Montreal following the departure of long-time star Ignacio Piatti, while still delivering results on three competitive fronts in 2020. Team preview & starting XI
Nashville SC
Perhaps taking note of recent expansion sides, Nashville SC have prioritized MLS experience and defensive solidity in building their roster, with the prize catch being USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman. How far will the strategy take them in 2020? Team preview & starting XI
New England Revolution
Heading into his first full season in charge of the Revs, Bruce Arena's squad is now well-stocked with attacking firepower which could make the club one of the most exciting teams in the East. But will it translate to a return to the playoffs? Team preview & starting XI
New York City FC
NYCFC had their best season in club history in 2019, but they still fell short of the ultimate goal: silverware. New head coach Ronny Deila will look to take the same squad and get them over the final hurdle, while also making a Champions League run. Team preview & starting XI
New York Red Bulls
After an early playoff exit in 2019 and the departure of three club legends — Luis Robles, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kemar Lawrence — 2020 looks set to be a year of transition for RBNY. Which new stars will emerge to take their place? Team preview & starting XI
Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC have yet to make the playoffs in their five seasons in MLS, but after hiring former FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja and reinforcing their backline, there’s reason to believe it can be sixth time lucky for the Lions. Team preview & starting XI
Philadelphia Union
Coming off the best season in club history, the Philadelphia Union have a tall task ahead of them: With the same core of players back for 2020, can they keep the momentum going under head coach Jim Curtin and sporting director Ernst Tanner? Team preview & starting XI
Portland Timbers
It was an inauspicious end to 2019 for the Portland Timbers, but with a returning Diego Valeri joined by two new strikers and a second Chara, Giovanni Savarese will look to recapture the magic that took them to MLS Cup in 2018. Team preview & starting XI
Real Salt Lake
After taking over from Mike Petke and leading Real Salt Lake to the playoffs in 2019, Freddy Juarez now has the full-time job and the unenviable task of replacing the best goalkeeper in MLS history. Team preview & starting XI
San Jose Earthquakes
Year One of the Matias Almeyda era in San Jose was undoubtedly exhilarating, but it ultimately ended in disappointment. If they can avoid their horrid start and stumbling finish, there could be plenty of joy for Earthquakes fans this season. Team preview & starting XI
Seattle Sounders
The champs will surely contend again in 2020, but they face the same challenging start to the season that has recently derailed other great MLS teams. Team preview & starting XI
Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010 last year but their offseason moves indicate they’re not about to let it happen again. Team preview & starting XI
Toronto FC
Toronto FC re-asserted their position as MLS heavyweights in 2019, making a return to MLS Cup, and their experience, stability and talent will have them contending again. Team preview & starting XI
Vancouver Whitecaps
It’s been a tough couple years for the Vancouver Whitecaps since they last made the playoffs, but a significant overhaul and a star signing provide hope for 2020. Team preview & starting XI
