GOLDEN 25TH. 2020 MLS
2020 SEASON PREVIEW
New York City FC
2019 SEASON: 18-10-6, 64 points (First in
the East, Conference Semifinalist)
KEY ARRIVALS: Gedion Zelalem (Kansas),
Gudmundur Thorarinsson (Norrkoping)
DEPARTURES: Daniel Bedoya (Atl. Pantoja),
Abdi Mohamed (Greenville)After a great regular season last year in
which they topped the Eastern Conference,
NYCFC were knocked out of the playoffs
by Toronto FC before even reaching the
Conference Final. All 11 starters from last
year return for New York City though and
they have also made a few quiet additions
such as Icelandic defender Gudmunder
Thorarinsso. NYCFC are legitimate
contenders to win the league's most
prestigious prize in 2020.New York Red Bulls
2019 SEASON: 14-6-14, 48 points (Sixth in
the East, Eliminated first round)
KEY ARRIVALS: Mandela Egbo (SV
Darmstadt), David Jensen (FC Utrecht)
DEPARTURES: Kemar Lawrence & Michael
Murillo (Anderlecht), Bradley Wright-
Phillips (LAFC)The Red Bulls have been busy shoring
up their defence by acquiring the likes
of goalkeeper David Jensen from Dutch
club FC Utrecht and right-back Mandela
Egbo from SV Darmstadt 98. New York
should have no issues qualifying for the
postseason, but this will not be the year the
MLS charter franchise finally wins an MLS
Cup.
Orlando City SC
2019 SEASON: 9-10-15, 37 points (Eleventh
in the East, did not make playoffs)
KEY ARRIVALS: Junior Urso (Corinthians),
Antonio Carlos (Palmeiras)
DEPARTURES: Shane O’Neill (Seattle),
Sacha Kljestan (LA Galaxy), Carlo Ascues
(Alianza Lima)Despite high hopes, Orlando have never
made the MLS playoffs since they began
play in 2015. This season, the club has
an increased South American presence
bringing in five new players from the
continent to bring the total up to nine.
The club also brought in Colombian coach
Oscar Pareja to help oversee the project.
It'll be interesting to see how it works out in
Orlando, and don't be shocked if this is the
season they finally reach the postseason.Philadelphia Union
2019 SEASON: 16-7-11, 55 points (Third in
the East, Conference Semifinalist)
KEY ADDITIONS: Jamiro Monteiro (FC
Metz), Matej Oravec (Dunajska Streda),
Jakob Glesnes (Stromsgodset)
DEPARTURES: Auston Trusty (Colorado),
Fafa Picault (FC Dallas), Marco Fabian (Al-
Saad)The Union acquired centre-back Jakob
Glesnes from Norwegian club Stromgodset,
where the 25-year-old was the club captain.
They are looking to revamp their defence
after conceding 50 goals during the regular
season last year. While they finished in
third, they know to reach the next level
their defence needs to be better. Union fans
should be happy with the direction of the
club and the ambition they are showing.Juan Pablo Torres
New York City FCTom Barlow
New York Red BullsNani
Orlando City SCJoe Bendik
Philadelphia Union