Article by Matt Lichtenstadter
As the MLS All-Star Game has come, it’s time to take stock of where the league stands about 3/5ths of the way through the campaign. While the league is unpredictable, and some signings could still be in the offing, most clubs will look as they do the rest of the way. Who will end up making moves, cementing their places or completing Sounders’ style marches up the table to the postseason? Here’s what to look out for as the MLS season inches closer to its climax:
Are the Galaxy done? Earlier this week, I wrote about how the Galaxy needed to make a change in order to right their fortunes. They hired Sigi Schmid and signed Jonathan Dos Santos, which in a vacuum might do enough to galvanize the team’s fortunes. The first result, a 0-0 draw, was at least positive it that it ended a five game losing streak, but the Galaxy have much more to do seeing as they’re seven points out of sixth spot in the West. Their roster is still quite poor and has major holes, but it remains to be seen whether Schmid’s guidance and a new DP will be enough to help the Galaxy sneak into the postseason. There is no margin for error anymore, and no more shots in the arm are coming.
Do the Surprise Teams have Twists in Store? Both the Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo have been pleasant surprise stories, and both seem to be fairly locked into their playoff positions. But will they improve even further? It doesn’t seem like the Fire have any moves in the offing, but they have been heavily linked with Colombian Juan Quintero and adding him to this mix would make them even more powerful. And the Dynamo have added a DP in Argentine midfielder Tomas Martinez, and he should add a creative punch to an already potent attack. The concern for both teams is whether they have enough come the postseason, especially considering Houston’s road deficiencies. But both teams look as if they have the gas left to make noise in the postseason, which is remarkable considering not only their recent form but the transitions and changes they’ve made.
Is Toronto FC the best team in MLS History? Another talking point that has been expanded upon in these column inches before is whether the 2017 edition of Toronto FC is the best team ever assembled in league history? They are certainly the deepest, but whether they’re the best remains to be seen. Only MLS Cup will suffice for TFC this go-around, and considering the depth they’ve built and the top end talent they possess, they’re almost assuredly #1 favorites down the stretch. Sebastian Giovinco hasn’t even reached his best form yet, another terrifying thought for the rest of the league. If TFC is this good with Giovinco at only 75% of his best, what are they like at his full tilt? Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Victor Vazquez and a host of other Reds are playing some of their best soccer as we speak, and the biggest question seems to be whether their form holds in the four months or so between now and MLS Cup.
Who else is a Contender? Toronto FC has company when it comes to contenders. Chicago is certainly making a name for themselves in the East, but NYCFC, the Red Bulls and even Atlanta United have what it takes to beat the Reds over two legs. Hitting a good spell at the right time is key in MLS, and it seems that each of the teams mentioned above can capture that form. Certainly the Red Bulls have found it right now, and Atlanta United’s defense is coming around too.
In the West, Sporting Kansas City despite trading Dom Dwyer has seemingly enough going forward to match the league’s stingiest defense. FC Dallas still has tremendous upside that they seemingly haven’t come close to finding yet, and they’re only two points behind SKC for best in the West with two games in hand. And what to say of Portland and Seattle, two teams who have been ravaged by injuries in 2017 and when healthy, can put together MLS Cup contending XI’s. The Sounders are the current holders, after all. It’s safe to say there are teams who could give TFC a run for their money, and that the league is deeper than it has been in many seasons. But the target this time is a tougher one for everyone to hit.
Who are favorites for the Golden Boot and MVP? For the Golden Boot, Chicago’s NemanjaNikolic still leads the way with 16 goals, which is pretty astonishing. 13 players have scored in double figures so far, and all of them in theory have a chance to challenge Nikolic. But David Villa, who currently sits on 14 goals, seems to be on the verge of a great vein of form. He’d be this writer’s personal favorite, but who is to say that Maxi Urruti couldn’t come close, or maybe even Daniel Royer, who is bagging a brace in seemingly every other game?
As for MVP, the list is incredibly deep. There could be up to 15 legitimate candidates from all sorts of teams, which is plenty exciting. And what makes this race even more intriguing is how all of the league’s best teams are more balanced than ever before; it’s not an over-reliance on one player that is putting teams where they are. That is what will make this decision so difficult, and the race for MVP the most exciting in league history.
When the All-Star game is in the rearview mirror, the stretch run of the season comes in focus. Soon, the transfer window will close and teams will be locked in place for the remainder of the run-in. With so many quality teams this year, and one standout outfit, it looks as if the back-end of the 2017 season will be the most exciting yet. And with LAFC making noise without having kicked a ball yet, the news they make throughout the run-in will just add to the drama.
With so many stories, intriguing players and teams, the 2017 season has been a fascinating watch. It will only get better through August and onward.
