25/02/2023【Feature】Brad Friedel – MLS pre-season preview
Brad Friedel – MLS preseason preview
Brad Friedel played for Columbus Crew, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham and US national team in his player career. And he also had a spell in MLS, coaching for New England Revolution from 2017 to 2019.
Friedel: Toronto FC are the favourites to win the title
I think the 2023 Major League Soccer season could be the best yet because the competition continues to get bigger and stronger. It’s so different from my time as a player and manager – everything is better, from the training facilities to the stadiums, coaching, academies, salaries and transfers.
Seattle Sounders became the first side from the United States to win the CONCACAF Champions League last season, and I feel the next step should be for MLS teams to join the Copa Libertadores or Copa Sudamericana to play more South American teams and improve further.
2022 finalists to challenge once more
Los Angeles FC won the MLS Cup last year and I feel they’ll be in contention once more. They have lost key players such as Gareth Bale and Cristian Arango but still have a lot of quality, including Kellyn Acosta, Ilie Sanchez and captain Carlos Vela. To be honest, although he scored some big goals, such as in the final, Bale didn’t play regularly so I think they’ll be fine without him.
I can see last year’s runners-up Philadelphia Union also having a chance because they’ve kept the squad together. They’re physical and have a good goalkeeper in Andre Blake, so teams will find them hard to break down. Daniel Gazdag, Jose Martinez and Kai Wagner will also be key to their chances.
No shortage of contenders
There are a few others who I consider to have a chance of being crowned champions: New York City play very good football and have one of the league’s most exciting players in attacking full-back Tayvon Gray, while FC Cincinnati have looked excellent since bringing in Matt Miazga after he was released by Chelsea.
Nashville SC are well-drilled, hard to beat and have star power in Hany Mukhtar, who has the ability to change the game, while Austin FC benefit from incredible home support and have real quality in Argentine Sebastian Driussi and captain Alexander Ring.
Of course, DC United are managed by Wayne Rooney but he took over a struggling club that focussed too much on their stadium and haven’t spent on the team. They have given him some resources this year so I can see them improving, but I think there are better teams.
Surprise package
As for my outsider, well Toronto FC have been really poor in recent seasons but they have signed a really good goalkeeper in Sean Johnson, who I think New York City could regret letting go. If they can shore up their defence, which they look to have done by signing Matt Hedges, and star men Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernardeschi and Jonathan Osorio perform, then they have a chance.
Ultimately, Los Angeles FC will be right there but they could have a lot of games with the CONCACAF Champions League, which I feel will impact them, so I can see an Eastern team winning the final and I’m going for a little surprise – Toronto!
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