MLS 2023 Season Predictions: Western Conference
Photo by Troy Wayrynen from USA Today Sports
Last season, LAFC finally broke the Cascadia Curse that Seattle and Portland had over the Western Conference for the previous 7 seasons en route to MLS Cup.
Will Cascadia get back? Or is it time for a new era in the West?
Let’s find out.
1. Austin FC
Hany Mukhtar from Nashville SC was the clear and deserving winner of MVP last season.
But in a world where Mukhtar doesn’t exist, the MVP would easily be Sebastian Driussi.
Driussi was crucial for Austin’s second season, as they took a big jump from missing the playoffs entirely in year one, to being the 2nd seed in year two.
Time to expect another leap forward for Josh Wolff and Austin.
2. Seattle Sounders
2022 was the year the Sounders missed the playoffs for the first time in history, which has many thinking they won’t be top tier this year.
But I’m not so sure.
As mentioned yesterday, MLS teams who make CCL runs have their seasons derailed a bit. Seattle won CCL, so they had the longest possible run you could have, and we remember what that did to Toronto back in 2018 as they also missed the playoffs.
Add in injuries to Joao Paulo, Raul Ruidiaz and Cristian Roldan, and then add in the injury to Joao Paulo’s replacement in Obed Vargas, and you’re never going to have the year you expected.
With no CCL and hopefully less injuries this year, I expect the Sounders will turn back into a contender.
3. LA Galaxy
It’s year 3 under Greg Vanney for the Galaxy, and that’s when Toronto started to take form when Vanney was in charge of the Reds.
I expect more of the same for the Galaxy this season, especially with the talent they have on the roster with Chicharito, Jolevic and Puig.
The issues in LA were the backline, which Vanney and company took measures to fix.
The Galaxy should look like a very solid squad in 2023.
4. LAFC
This may seem like a slight on the defending champs, but I do not mean for it to be.
This is still a good squad and very well coached by Steve Cherundolo.
In fact, most of the squad that won it all last year is the same this year.
However, they do have to deal with CCL this year which, as mentioned above, hurts regular season performances a bit, and they no longer have Chicho Arango starting at striker, which was something LAFC was crucially missing for years under Bob Bradley.
Opoku has some big shoes to fill, and I imagine there will be some slight struggles to get that figured out.
Still, they’ll be the team nobody wants to face come October.
5. Portland Timbers
The Timbers still have Eryk Williamson and Diego Chara in midfield, one of the best goalkeepers in the league and a solid coach in Gio Savarese.
They aren’t flashy (though new signing Evander may change that) but they are well rounded and should make the playoffs after a down 2022.
6. FC Dallas
It’s Dallas.
They’re going to be fun to watch, annoying to play against, and always a threat to make a run.
But the overall lack of star power is going to hurt them in the overall standings.
Like I said. It’s Dallas.
7. Sporting Kansas City
2022 was a down year for SKC, which was not a surprise considering the amount of injuries they had up front.
Everyone is healthy this time around, and Peter Vermes is going to be sure to make 2023 goes better than 2022.
It should, but the roster still isn’t good enough to be top tier.
They’ll sweat a bit.
8. Real Salt Lake
RSL outperformed expectations in 2021, making it to the Western Conference Finals before losing to Portland.
They outperformed expectations in 2022, having Austin FC on the ropes before losing in penalty kicks.
That’s RSL.
They’re going to play extremely hard and outperform expectations.
This roster shouldn’t even put them as high as 8th.
But I think they will, even if they barely miss the playoffs.
9. Colorado
Robin Fraser is a hell of a coach.
He showed that in 2021 when he took a middle of the road Rapids team to the top seed in the West.
But ownership has not given them proper backing to improve the squad, and even if Fraser is a great coach, he’s not a miracle worker.
Open up the checkbook, Stan.
10. St. Louis City SC
God, what a stupid name.
In terms of roster, St. Louis isn’t good. They should be pinned to finish last in the West.
But this is MLS, and Charlotte was expected to do the same last year before ending up 9th.
Maybe they will be last, but I think there are teams worse than them.
Although, I really should put them last.
St. Louis City Soccer Club?
Ugh. It’s awful.
11. Houston Dynamo
Ben Olsen takes over a roster that’s just a whole lot of “meh.”
There’s not much to say about Houston, to be quite honest.
12. Vancouver Whitecaps
Maybe this spot is a bit too harsh.
There is talent with the ‘Caps, but the style of soccer doesn’t add to much success.
They play similar to Nashville, which is to sit back and defend and hit on the counter.
With Nashville, that works, because they have Walker Zimmerman to defend with Hany Mukhtar to attack.
Vancouver does not have an MLS best XI defender and the reigning MVP.
Not the best recipe for success.
13. Minnesota United
Emanuel Reynoso was the heart and soul of this Minnesota team.
He pulled the strings, and gave the Loons their success in attack.
Being a one man show is not exactly a recipe for success to begin with.
Now, imagine that one man show deciding to just not show up to preseason training.
It’s not going to be a fun year.
14. San Jose Earthquakes
Matias Almeyda had the Quakes in disarray last year, but after he was fired and interim coach Alex Covelo took over, the Quakes started to play a little bit better soccer.
But now, the Quakes have a brand new manager in the fold with Luchi Gonzalez.
He might be the answer, and I like Cade Cowell and Jeremy Ebobisse up front.
But someone has to be worst in the West, and forgive me if I’m not very trustworthy when it comes to the Quakes.
Western Conference Champion: LA Galaxy
I trust the process of Greg Vanney.
In 2016, his third year with Toronto FC, the Reds made MLS Cup Final as the 3 seed.
Vanney and his third seed LA Galaxy make the trip in November to Philadelphia to take on the Union in MLS Cup Final.
MLS Cup Champion: Philadelphia Union
And, just like Toronto in 2016, Vanney will fall short of the ultimate prize.
The Union are talented, they are well coached, and if they get back to MLS Cup Final and play it in Chester, PA with their home fans behind them, there’s no chance they let that opportunity slip.
So wait patiently, Philly. Your time to celebrate is coming.
Update: MLS is set to announce that 9 teams from each conference will make the playoffs beginning in 2023, so congratulations to RSL & Colorado as they are now playoff teams.
