It’s a few months late, however Major League Soccer’s 2021 season is prepared to begin on Friday. So what’s new?

New Team

M.L.S. has introduced main league sports activities to everybody’s favourite bizarre metropolis, and naturally Matthew McConaughey is a co-owner of Austin F.C. (He has additionally been given the title “minister of culture.”) “We’re a very multicultural place,” he stated. “An Austin fan can go talk Austin F.C. with a banker in London now, and a cabdriver from Lagos.”

Charlotte is to comply with in 2022 and St. Louis in 2023. But plans for a Sacramento franchise in 2024, which might have been the league’s 30th group, could also be falling by means of after the lead investor withdrew.

New Protocols

After a truncated 2020 season, groups might be enjoying a full 34-game schedule. But to reduce journey, every group will play solely two or three video games towards members of the opposite convention. The Canadian groups might be enjoying stateside, in shared stadiums, not less than at first: Montreal in Miami, Toronto in Orlando and Vancouver in Salt Lake City.

Fans might be coming again, with most groups planning to fill 20 % to 50 % of their stadiums.

New Stadiums

In addition to Austin, which is able to play in a brand new stadium, Cincinnati will get its own residence after enjoying on the University of Cincinnati’s soccer stadium for 2 seasons. Columbus will open the season in its outdated stadium earlier than shifting to a brand new one in July.

New Star

There had been fewer big-name signings than in some years, however there’s loads of pleasure about Brenner, a 21-year-old Brazilian striker. After scoring 21 targets in 39 video games with São Paulo, his new dwelling might be F.C. Cincinnati, which is aiming to make extra of a splash after making little impression in its first two seasons. Brenner value the group a reported $13 million, rating within the top-five M.L.S. switch charges ever.

A New Winner?

While perennial contender Seattle appears to be like good once more, the betting favourite for the season is Los Angeles F.C., led by Carlos Vela and final season’s main scorer, Diego Rossi. Should the bookies be proper, the group would win its first M.L.S. Cup in its fourth 12 months of existence.