Complete standings and award predictions for the 2018 MLS season
The MLS returns this weekend, which means it’s time for predictions: standings, awards and best XI, it’s all here.
Amid a sea of negativity throughout the landscape of pretty much everything right now, let’s begin with a drop of positiveness: MLS is in a very good place right now, and it’s only improving.
Targeted and General Allocation Money have helped teams fill spots 4-11 of the roster with quality players from around the world, tremendously increasing the league’s quality of play. MLS has become much more of a destination league than it has been in the past, with the draw of the American lifestyle bringing in high-quality players. That’s how you get Miguel Almiron and Ezequiel Barco.
Teams are realizing the allure of MLS to up-and-coming international players, tilting acquisitions noticeably younger to players like Jesus Medina and Diego Rossi. After the early 2010s’ old European DP era, this is the natural next step, and it arguably holds the most on-field implications of any MLS evolution.
Our league went from having little to no stars to having 35-year-old world superstars to having a far greater number of 18-22-year-old future world superstars, who teams can enjoy for a couple of years and then sell on for profit. That profit can then be used on more potential-filled young players, whether international or Homegrown.
The sell-on concept is still settling in — 2018 will be a big year for its development — but Jack Harrison’s offseason sale sets an important precedent, and soon clubs will realize how beneficial those transactions can be. Those past-their-prime stars served their purpose of increasing awareness of the league, but many of them were unproductive on the field, and those young imports present more short-term and long-term benefits. They make the league more exciting.
Money, which teams have considerably more of now, allow clubs to build academy infrastructure in addition to improving rosters. That creates more Justen Glads and Tyler Adamses and Andrew Carletons, harboring generations of future red-white-and-blue World Cup talent.
Those young players need more minutes than they’re currently getting. The comments made by Christian Pulisic’s agent hold that small kernel of truth, even if they’re mostly asinine. We can talk about the problems with anything all day — we should be doing a lot of that, because nothing gets solved otherwise. But keep in mind that MLS and American soccer are taking huge strides. It’s okay to be happy about it!
Some predictions for the 2018 iteration of MLS:
Standings
Eastern Conference
- Atlanta United
- Toronto FC
- New York City FC
- Orlando City SC
- Columbus Crew SC
- New York Red Bulls
- Chicago Fire
- D.C. United
- Philadelphia Union
- Montreal Impact
- New England Revolution
Last year, I hit on two Eastern Conference predictions — Toronto FC and NYCFC finishing first and second. I guessed four of six playoff teams right (I didn’t have much confidence in Atlanta) and had seven of 11 teams within three spots of where they finished. My big misses were the Five Stripes, who I had finishing 10th, and last-place D.C. United, who I had in fourth.
I will not have the same team winning two years in a row because this is MLS, so I’ve got Atlanta beating out TFC for the top spot. NYC takes three fairly easily, followed by the revamped Purple Lions. Chicago, still in search of a No. 10, miss the postseason, and I foresee no surprises from the bottom four teams.
Western Conference
- Real Salt Lake
- Seattle Sounders
- Portland Timbers
- San Jose Earthquakes
- Houston Dynamo
- LA Galaxy
- FC Dallas
- Sporting KC
- LAFC
- Colorado Rapids
- Vancouver Whitecaps
- Minnesota United
I hit on one Western Conference prediction last year: The Sounders finishing second, which I am going with again this year. Only four of 11 teams I had within three spots of where they would finish. Seattle, Sporting KC, San Jose and Real Salt Lake were the only ones I got close to getting correct.
This year, I’m betting high on Youth Movement RSL overtaking the West’s traditional juggernauts. Seattle and Portland aren’t going away, and the Quakes and Dynamo will be back in the playoffs. A rebounding FC Dallas will beat out Peter Vermes’s Kansas City empire for the seventh spot, but the new-look Galaxy will finish above the red line. LAFC will slip in ahead of Minnesota, Vancouver and Colorado at the bottom.
Related Story: One new team, and a lot of questions in the West
Team awards
U.S. Open Cup: New York Red Bulls
Jesse Marsch and co. tried at this competition last year, making the final and losing to Sporting. They’ll take the title in 2018.
Canadian Championship: Toronto FC
Not sure how you can pick anyone else here.
Supporters’ Shield: Atlanta United
They’ll take it over RSL, who will be close. This is assuming Atlanta signed a defensive midfielder.
MLS Cup: NYCFC over RSL
A year after their historic treble, TFC will strike out on league trophies. NYCFC will finally put it together in the postseason, beating Toronto in the conference finals and then RSL in the final.
Individual awards
Most Valuable Player: Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)
Giovinco never seemed to hit full gear in 2017, hampered by various injuries. He will this year for a TFC team that will win the CCL.
Other contenders: David Villa, Albert Rusnak, Diego Valeri, Nicolas Lodeiro
Golden Boot: David Villa (NYCFC)
The ageless Spaniard does it again.
Other contenders: Josef Martinez, Bradley Wright-Phillips
Assist crown: Albert Rusnak (RSL)
Rusnak will take the assist title from Sacha Kljestan, the two-year holder. All aboard the RSL train.
Other contenders: Lodeiro, Kljestan
Goalkeeper of the Year: Alex Bono (Toronto FC)
Bono’s improved a lot in the last couple of years, and he will again play well, this time enough to take the GKOTY award. Nick Rimando remains snubbed.
Other contenders: Rimando, Brad Guzan, Andre Blake
Defender of the Year: Walker Zimmerman (LAFC)
It’s tough to give an award to a player that doesn’t make the playoffs, but I’ve got Zimmerman rebounding from last year’s disaster, leading LAFC to a respectable finish.
Other contenders: Justen Glad, Ike Opara, Chris Mavinga
Newcomer of the Year: Ezequiel Barco (Atlanta United)
The high-priced sensation will be a hit for first-place Atlanta.
Other contenders: Jesus Medina, Alejandro “Kaku” Gamarra
Rookie of the Year: Grant Lillard (Chicago Fire)
Lillard should play a lot for the Fire this season, and he will be a bright spot for a Chicago team that will have to keep up with a rapidly-advancing Eastern Conference.
Other contenders: Chris Mueller, Jon Bakero, Cam Lindley
Comeback Player of the Year: Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy)
Lletget will rebound from last year’s devastating knee injury to star for an improved Galaxy team.
Best XI projection
I’m sticking to a regular 4-4-2, representing every position, for the projected best XI. Some positional liberties will be taken.
GK: Alex Bono (TFC)
RB: Kelvin Leerdam (SEA)
CB: Walker Zimmerman (LAFC)
CB: Justen Glad (RSL)
LB: Brandon Vincent (CHI)
LM: Nicolas Lodeiro (SEA)
CM: Alexander Ring (NYC)
CM: Albert Rusnak (RSL)
RM: Miguel Almiron (ATL)
ST: Josef Martinez (ATL)
ST: David Villa (NYC)