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Let's address the elephant in the room - Major League Soccer is not a retirement league. The ideology that Major League Soccer relies solely on past-their-prime players, looking for one last paycheck is biased and disillusioned.
Although players such as; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wayne Rooney, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic can be seen playing in the MLS, players such as Josef Martinez and Carlos Vela are far more common. Aside from European and South American Football, nowhere in the world do you see such a blend and mixture of talent spread out throughout the league. Currently today, the Major League Soccer has evolved into a fast, dynamic, attacking style of football. Rapid electric players such as; Diego Rossi, Diego Valeri, Ignacio Piatti, Jonathan Dos Santos can be seen running up and down the pitch.
Although far behind the more established leagues found in Europe and South America, the MLS has made major progress forward since its inauguration on April 6, 1996. Beautiful Stadiums with large electric crowds are beginning to become normality in the MLS, with Atlanta United's Mercedes-Benz Stadium atmosphere offering a glimpse of the potential of Major League Soccer.
Unlike the Chinese SuperLeague where eye-watering, mouth dropping amounts of cash are splashed on established stars, the Major League Soccer has sought out a more steady and slow approach. Seeking instead a road, in which building stadiums and youth-academies have been prioritized.
In order to be profitable and sustainable in the near future, Major League Soccer has set a groundwork in which it has seen them expand both in the number of teams and quality of play. So who are the Elite teams who have separated themselves from the good ones?
Atlanta United
Notable Players: Josef Martinez, Pity Martinez, Ezequiel Barco, Brad Guzan, Hector Villalba
Titles: 2018 MLS Cup
In just two seasons, Atlanta United was constructed into winners of the MLS Cup in 2018. It's been a rapid rise for Atlanta United that very few saw coming. But that's just what happened. Led by former Barcelona Manager, and current Mexico National Team head coach, Gerardo "Tata" Martino Atlanta United set the MLS alight by defeating Portland Timbers with a scoreline of 2-0 on December 8, 2018.
Choosing to recruit un-known South American talent such as Venezuela Striker 25-year-old Josef Martinez, current Newcastle record signing Miguel Almiron, promising Argentinian winger Ezequiel Barco and Paraguayan winger Hector Villalba was seen as a risk by Atlanta United at the time. But it's one that reaped rewards.
On their way towards the title, Josef Martinez scored a record-breaking 31 goals while providing 5 assists in the regular season. Miguel Almiron, before his $27 million transfer fee to Newcastle, scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists. Villalba scored 7 goals and provided 6 assists. In between the post, United States Men's National Goalkeeper Brad Guzan kept 8 clean sheets.
Although Tata Martino and Almiron are gone, Atlanta United displayed why they're an elite squad by replacing them with former Inter Milan, Ajax, and Crystal Palace Coach Frank De Boer and Argentinian National Team player Pity Martinez. 2 draws and 2 defeats from 4 games hardly screams elite, but once all's set and done, expect Atlanta United to defend their throne.
Seattle Sounders
Notable Players: Raul Ruidaz, Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, Victor Romero Rodriguez
Titles: 2016 MLS Cup. U.S Open Cup 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014
Since their inaugural season in 2009, they have never failed to reach the playoffs. That feat in itself is one that no other MLS Team, aside from Atlanta United, has the privileged of holding. It speaks an abundance of Seattle Sounders dedication on and off the field.
On the pitch, Seattle Sounders have maintained a level of consistency, implemented by the smart acquisitions found by the Sounder's management team, throughout the years. Players such as Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, Raul Ruidaz, Freddy Montero, and Brad Smith to name some.
Led by fan-favorite Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, the Seattle Sounders have currently won 4 games and drawn 1 out of their first 5 games of the season. Having scored 11 goals and conceded a mere 3. Stefan Frei between the posts currently maintains 3 clean sheets. While USMNT Jordan Morris currently has 3 goals and 1 assist from 5 games. This team has the capacity and depth to make a deep run into the finals, Seattle Sounders will be an interesting team to keep an eye on.
D.C United
Notable Players: Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta, Paul Arriola, Lucas Rodriguez
Titles: MLS Cup 1996, 2004. Concacaf Champions League 1998. U.S Open Cup 2008, 2013.
Major League's Soccer inaugural season winner and one of it's more accomplished and historic clubs. And the only MLS team, aside from Los Angeles Galaxy, to have won the eluded Concacaf Champions League. Recent years have not been too kind for the D.C United faithful, however, as the club has failed to garner any sort of consistency and well-played football. A move to Audi Field and the acquisition of Wayne Rooney is hoped will change their misfortunes.
Prior to Wayne Rooney's arrival, D.C United was out of a playoff position and looked near certain for early elimination. Since Wayne Rooney's arrival, D.C United have made a trip into the playoffs only to be eliminated by Columbus Crew. Wayne Rooney contributed 12 goals and 6 assists from 20 appearances, in their run to the playoffs. Argentinian playmaker Luciano Acosta was also influential in that run contributing 10 goals and 15 assists. With his performances having reportedly caught the eye of French Champions PSG.
This season has seen D.C United win 3 games out of 5, having lost and drawn their other two. Wayne Rooney remains influential with 4 goals and 2 assists. United States Men National Team player Paul Arriola remains influential in the wings, with an 81% dribble succession rate and 7 key passes(whoscored). D.C is the darkhorse in the title race, with their mixed results, including a 0-4 defeat at home to LAFC having seen many distance D.C United as a true title contender.
Los Angeles Football Club
Notable Players: Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi, Adama Diomande, Andre Horta, Lee Nguyen
Titles Won: Nil
What an inaugural season it was for Los Angeles Football Club and Carlos Vela. 16 wins, 9 draws and 9 losses from 34 matches. Not a bad record for a team who had not had a single professional game prior to the season starting. Add to that 68 goals scored, and it couldn't have gone any better for Los Angeles Football Club. All this came to a halt, however, as they were eliminated by Real Salt Lake by a scoreline of 3-2 in the wildcard round.
Carlos Vela had a humongous part to play in this, as he scored 14 goals and contributed 10 assists. Adama Diomande contributed 12 goals and 4 assists while 21-year-old Uruguayan winger Diego Rossi contributed 12 goals and 6 assists in 30 games. What hurt LAFC last season, was the lack of a true defensive midfielder to protect the back four. This season Mark-Anthony-Kaye has returned from injury and LAFC have really benefited from his return.
They are currently undefeated in the season, having won 5 games and drawn 1 out of 6. In the process, they scored 19 goals and have only conceded 5 goals. Carlos Vela has been electric having scored 7 goals and assisted another 4. Diego Rossi has scored 6 goals while Diomande has scored 2 and assisted another 2. Los Angeles Football Club's strikeforce is capable of making any MLS defense crumble, add to that former United States Manager Bob Bradley, and LAFC will surely contend for the title.
Los Angeles Galaxy
Notable Players: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jonathan Dos Santos, Roman Alesandrini.
Titles: MLS Cup 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014. Concacaf Champions League 2000. US Open Cup 2001, 2005.
It's only fair to include the most accomplished and historic club in Major League Soccer history when you name it's best teams. One that has set the bar, but in recent years has failed to add to their trophy cabinet. Since Bruce Arena left LA Galaxy to go manage the USMNT, the LA Galaxy has been left in a mess and has failed to find any rhythm as of late.
Last season, in the last match of the season against Houston Dynamo a draw was all that was needed to clinch a playoff spot. In the first 30 minutes, they went 2-0 up and looked certain to head into the playoffs. But for some strange turn of events, they let the game slip and lost by a scoreline of 3-2.
That game perfectly has summed up LA Galaxy in recent years. Last season, Zlatan was brought in to steady the ship and add some much-needed leadership into the dressing room. He responded by scoring an astonishing 22 goals and assisting on 6 separate occasions.
This year management recruitment was made by signing former Boca Juniors head coach Guillermo Schelotto. They currently have 4 wins and 1 loss out of 5 games, having scored 9 goals and conceded 4. It'll be interesting to see how this LA Galaxy team play out.
