Major League Soccer returns for its 26th season in 2021, with the all-new season starting on Friday, April 16 when the Houston Dynamo hosts the San Jose Earthquakes in this year’s inaugural game.
MLS has expanded to 27 clubs in 2021 as a result of Austin FC joining the competition and becoming the third club from Texas. This season will also be an important second year in the league for both Inter Miami and Nashville, while FC Cincinnati enters its third campaign.
Columbus Crew, one of the league’s founders back in 1996, is the reigning champion after beating the Seattle Sounders in the 2020 MLS Cup final. But they will have plenty of competition to hold on to that title, with Los Angeles FC, Toronto FC, Orlando City, Minnesota United, Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers are among the teams predicted to do well in 2021.
The regular season 2021 will end in early November, with the club top in the overall table awarded to Supporters Shield as usual, and the MLS Cup playoffs begin later that month. The season finale is scheduled for December 11.
The season’s first transfer window opened last month and remains open until June 1, while the mid-season window follows between July 7 and August 5.
Read on for an overview of important information about all 27 clubs ahead of the new season …
MLS debut: 2017
Last season: Did not qualify for the playoffs (12th Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Josef Martinez, Ezequiel Barco, Alan Franco
Large signatures: Alan Franco, Lisandro Lopez, Erik Lopez, Santiago Sosa
Coach: Gabriel Heinze
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (42,500)
2021 opening match: @ Orlando City (April 17)
MLS debut: 1998
Last season: Did not qualify for the playoffs (11th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Ignacio Aliseda, Robert Beric, Gaston Gimenez
Large signatures: Stanislav Ivanov, Jhon Espinoza
Coach: Raphael Wicky
Stadium: Soldier Field (24995)
2021 opening match: v New England Revolution (April 17)
MLS debut: 2019
Last season: Did not qualify for the playoffs (14th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Brenner, Jurgen Locadia, Luciano Acosta
Large signatures: Brenner, Jurgen Locadia, Luciano Acosta, Ronald Mataritta
Coach: Jaap Stam
Stadium: West End Stadium (26,000)
2021 opening match: @ Nashville SC (April 17)
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: MLS Cup Champion (3rd Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Darlington Nagbe, Lucas Zelarayan, Gyasi Zardes
Large signatures: Bradley Wright-Phillips, Perry Kitchen, Alexandru Matan
Coach: Caleb Porter
Stadium: New Crew Stadium (20000)
2021 opening match: against Philadelphia Union (April 18)
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: Did not qualify for the playoffs (13th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Edison Flores, Paul Arriola (on loan)
Large signatures: Nigel Robertha, Brendan Hines-Ike
Coach: Hernan Losada
Stadium: Audi Field (20000)
2021 opening match: against New York City (April 17)
MLS debut: 2020
Last season: Play-in Round of Playoffs (10th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Gonzalo Higuain, Rodolfo Pizarro, Matias Pellegrini
Large signatures: Ryan Shawcross, Gregore, Joevin Jones, Kelvin Leerdam
Coach: Phil Neville
Stadium: Inter Miami CF Stadium (18,000)
2021 opening match: against LA Galaxy (April 18)
MLS debut: 2012 (as Montreal Impact)
Last season: Play-in round of the playoffs (9th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Victor Wanyama
Large signatures: Djordje Mihailovic, Aljaz Struna, Björn Johnsen
Coach: Wilfried Nancy
Stadium: Saputo Stadium (19,619)
2021 opening match: against Toronto FC (April 17)
MLS debut: 2020
Last season: Eastern Conference semifinal (7th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Randall Leal, Hany Mukhtar, Jhonder Cadiz
Large signatures: Rodrigo Pinero, CJ Sapong
Coach: Gary Smith
Stadium: Nissan Stadium (69,143)
2021 opening match: against FC Cincinnati (April 17)
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: Eastern Conference final (8th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Gustavo Bou, Adam Buska, Carles Gil
Large signatures: AJ DeLaGarza, Christian Mafla, Wilfrid Kaptoum
Coach: Bruce Arena
Stadium: Gillette Stadium (20000)
2021 opening match: @ Chicago Fire (April 17)
MLS debut: 2015
Last season: First round of the playoffs (5th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Maxi Moralez, Jesus Medina
Large signatures: Alfredo Morales, Malte Amundsen
Coach: Ronny Deila
Stadium: Yankee Stadium (30,321)
2021 opening match: @ DC United (April 17)
MLS debut: 1996 (as NY / NJ MetroStars)
Last season: First round of the playoffs (6th in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Dru Yearwood
Large signatures: Fabio, Andres Reyes, Tom Edwards
Coach: Gerhard Struber
Stadium: Red Bull Arena (25,000)
2021 opening match: against Sporting Kansas City (April 17)
MLS debut: 2015
Last season: Eastern Conference semifinal (4th: Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Mauricio Pereyra, Nani
Large signatures: Alexandre Pato, Silvester van der Water
Coach: Oscar Pareja
Stadium: Exploria Stadium (25,500)
2021 opening match: against Atlanta United (April 17)
MLS debut: 2010
Last season: First round of the playoffs (1st in Eastern Conference; Supporters’ Shield)
2021 designated players: Jamiro Monteiro
Large signatures: Stuart Findlay
Coach: Jim Curtin
Stadium: Subaru Park (18,500)
2021 opening match: @ Columbus Crew (April 18)
MLS debut: 2007
Last season: First round of the playoffs (2nd in Eastern Conference)
2021 designated players: Alejandro Pozuelo, Jozy Altidore
Large signatures:
Coach: Chris Armas
Stadium: BMO field (28,351)
2021 opening match: @ CF Montreal (April 17)
MLS debut: 2021
Last season: not applicable
2021 designated players: Tomas Pochettino, Cecilio Dominguez
Large signatures: Tomas Pochettino, Cecilio Dominguez, Rodney Redes, Alexander Ring
Coach: Josh Wolff
Stadium: Q2 Stadium (20,500)
2021 opening match: @ Los Angeles FC (April 17)
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: First round of the playoffs (5th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Younes Namli
Large signatures: Michael Barrios, William Yarbrough
Coach: Robin Fraser
Stadium: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (18,061)
2021 opening match: @ FC Dallas (April 17)
MLS debut: 1995 (as Dallas Burn)
Last season: Western Conference Semifinals (6th Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Bryan Acosta, Franco Jara
Large signatures: Jose Martinez, Jader Obrian, Szabolcs Schon
Coach: Luchi Gonzalez
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (20,500)
2021 opening match: vs Colorado Rapids (April 17)
MLS debut: 2006
Last season: Did not qualify for the playoffs (12th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Darwin Quintero
Large signatures: Maxi Urruti, Tim Parker, Fafa Picault, Joe Corona
Coach: Tab Ramos
Stadium: BBVA Stadium (22,039)
2021 opening match: vs San Jose Earthquakes (April 16)
MLS debut: 1996 (as Kansas City Wizards)
Last season: Western Conference Semifinals (1st in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Johnny Russell, Alan Pulido
Large signatures: Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, Remi Walter
Coach: Peter Vermes
Stadium: Children’s Mercy Park (18,467)
2021 opening match: @ New York Red Bulls (April 17)
MLS debut: 1996
Last season: Did not qualify for the playoffs (10th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Jonathan dos Santos, Javier Hernandez, Kevin Cabral
Large signatures: Victor Vazquez, Samuel Grandsir, Derrick Williams, Jorge Villafana
Coach: Greg Vanney
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park (27,000)
2021 opening match: @ Inter Miami (April 18)
MLS debut: 2018
Last season: First round of the playoffs (7th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi
Large signatures: Kim Moon-hwan, Jesus David Murillo, Corey Baird, Marco Farfan
Coach: Bob Bradley
Stadium: Banc of California Stadium (22,000)
2021 opening match: against Austin FC (April 17)
MLS debut: 2017
Last season: Western Conference final (4th: Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Jan Gregus, Emanuel Reynoso
Large signatures: Ramon Abila, Jukka Raitala, Juan Agudelo, Niko Hansen
Coach: Adrian Heath
Stadium: Allianz Field (19,400)
2021 opening match: @ Seattle Sounders (April 16)
MLS debut: 2011
Last season: First round of the playoffs (3rd in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Sebastian Blanco, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Yimmi Chara
Large signatures: Claudio Bravo, Felipe Mora
Coach: Giovanni Savarese
Stadium: Providence Park (25,218)
2021 opening match: @ Vancouver Whitecaps (April 18)
MLS debut: 2005
Last season: Not qualified for the playoffs (11th in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Albert Ruznak, Jeizon Ramirez
Large signatures: Bobby Wood, Anderson Julio
Coach: Freddy Juarez
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium (20 213)
2021 opening match: @ Minnesota United (April 24)
MLS debut: 1996 (as San Jose Clash)
Last season: First round of the playoffs (eighth in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Cristian Espinoza
Large signatures: Javier Lopez, Eric Remedi, Luciano Abecasis
Coach: Matias Almeyda
Stadium: Earthquakes Stadium (18,000)
2021 opening match: @ Houston Dynamo (April 16)
MLS debut: 2009
Last season: Second place in MLS Cup (2nd in Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Joao Paulo, Raul Ruidiaz, Nicolas Lodeiro
Large signatures: Joao Paulo, Fredy Montero, Kelyn Rowe
Coach: Brian Schmeltzer
Stadium: Lumen field (37722)
2021 opening match: against Minnesota United (April 16)
MLS debut: 2011
Last season: Did not qualify for the playoffs (9th Western Conference)
2021 designated players: Lucas Cavallini, Ali Adnan
Large signatures: Deiber Caicedo, Caio Alexandre, Bruno Gaspar,
Coach: Marc Dos Santos
Stadium: BC Place (22 120)
2021 opening match: against Portland Timbers (April 18)
Click here for a ranked list of the 12 best new MLS kits 2021
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