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Thursday, March 1, 2018

Major League Soccer predictions: Can anybody knock off Toronto FC? - USA TODAY

USA TODAY Sports Published 12:30 a.m. ET March 1, 2018 | Updated 1:15 a.m. ET March 1, 2018

CLOSEMajor League Soccer predictions: Can anybody knock off Toronto FC? - USA TODAY

David Beckham takes to stage to announce his new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami. Video provided by Reuters Newslook

MLS: MLS CUP-Seattle Sounders vs Toronto FC

Sebastian Giovinco and defending MLS Cup champion Toronto FC figure to be formidable in 2018.(Photo: Kevin Sousa, USA TODAY Sports)

As the 2018 Major League Soccer season gets set to kick off,  we surveyed the USA TODAY Sports team of soccer writers for their predictions on how the new season will shake out.

Which players will define the season? Which non-playoff teams from last year will rise into the postseason field this season? And, can anybody knock off Toronto FC, which is coming off arguably the greatest season in league history?

Jesse Yomtov (@JesseYomtov)

MLS Cup winner: Toronto FC

MLS Cup finalists: Toronto FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Supporters' Shield: Atlanta United FC

2017 non-playoff team that will make 2018 playoffs: FC Dallas

2017 playoff team that won't make 2018 playoffs: San Jose Earthquakes

MVP: Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)

Golden Boot: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)

MLS preseason power rank: Toronto FC remains MLS Cup favorite

More: Expansion LAFC sells out of season tickets at new stadium

More: Atlanta United's Barco to miss 4-6 weeks with quad strain

Adam Woodard (@AdamWoodard)

MLS Cup winner: Atlanta United

MLS Cup finalists: Atlanta United vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Supporters' Shield: Toronto FC

2017 non-playoff team that will make 2018 playoffs: Real Salt Lake

2017 playoff team that won't make 2018 playoffs: San Jose Earthquakes

MVP: Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)

Golden Boot: Ola Kamara (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Josef Martinez and Atlanta United could be even better

Josef Martinez and Atlanta United could be even better than they were during the last year's expansion season. (Photo: Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports)

Jim Reineking (@JimReineking)

MLS Cup winner: NYCFC

MLS Cup finalists: NYCFC and Seattle Sounders FC

Supporters' Shield: Atlanta United FC

2017 non-playoff team that will make 2018 playoffs: Orlando City SC

2017 playoff team that won't make 2018 playoffs: Houston Dynamo

MVP: Nicolás Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders FC)

Golden Boot: Josef Martinez (Atlanta United FC)

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Major League Soccer predictions: Can anybody knock off Toronto FC? - USA TODAYAtlanta United broke its own MLS single-game attendanceSan Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski (8)D.C. United plays its last game at RFK Stadium, a 2-1Columbus Crew SC fans show support of their team duringKaka signs autographs for fans after he played hisAtlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) and defenderMinnesota United and Sporting Kansas City take theJozy Altidore kicks a drum and celebrates with hisD.C. United goalkeeper Steve Clark makes a diving saveLos Angeles Galaxy midfielder Jermaine Jones headsColorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts afterToronto FC forward Tosaint Ricketts hugs the goalpostNew York City FC defender Alexander Callens (6) slidesAtlanta United plays Orlando City SC during the secondAtlanta United midfielder Yamil Asad jumps over NewMinnesota United forward Abu Danladi (9) plays theToronto FC's Jozy Altidore scores one of his two goalsToronto FC's Jozy Altidore (17) shoots and scores aAtlanta United FC's Josef Martinez (7) shoots a freeRed Bulls supporters march on Jackson Street BridgePortland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri kicks theToronto FC fans celebrate a 3-0 win over the PhiladelphiaMinnesota United goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth reactsThe Montreal Impact's Anthony Jackson-Hamel heads theOrlando City SC forward Giles Barnes celebrates withL.A. Galaxy midfielder Jermaine Jones (right) and NewColumbus Crew SC fans celebrate their team's thirdSeattle Sounders midfielder Clint Dempsey takes a passNew York City FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson (1) divesSan Jose Earthquakes forward Marco Urena (far right)FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges and Philadelphia UnionVancouver Whitecaps goal keeper David Ousted makesAtlanta United forward Hector Villalba (center) reactsToronto FC's Jay Chapman watches his first career goalChicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (31)Minnesota United midfielder Sam Cronin (19) and HoustonFans watch a fireworks show after FC Dallas' 4-2 winThe New England Revolution's Kei Kamara slaps handsA large American flag is displayed on the field priorChicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger celebratesColorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard makes a saveAtlanta United defender Leandro Gonzalez throws thePhiladelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake and defenderMinnesota United FC goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth triesDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott puts the scarfActive members of the FDNY create a tunnel of honorOrlando City SC's Cristian Higuita (7), Jonathan SpectorA young fan smiles for the camera before the gameChicago Fire midfielder Michael de Leeuw heads theNew England Revolution fans throw streamers onto theThe Vancouver Whitecaps' Cristian Techera scores againstNew York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) defendsThe Los Angeles Galaxy's Joao Pedro plays for the ballNew York City FC defender Maxime Chanot heads the ballThe Portland Timbers' Darren Mattocks (left) and DarlingtonSan Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham punchesOrlando City SC supporters march to the stadium priorThe Philadelphia Union's Haris Medunjanin executesToronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco (10) fends off AtlantaBastian Schweinsteiger (31) celebrates his goal inAtlanta United midfielder Yamil Asad falls near theLos Angeles Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme plays forPortland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell (24) raisesSeattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) punchesLos Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Clement Diop (31) foulsPhiladelphia Union forward Fafa Picault (22) scoresNYCFC, which normally plays its home games at YankeeOSan Jose Earthquakes midfielder Shea Salinas (6) defendsFlags wave during the game between Toronto FC and MontrealThe New York Red Bulls' Kemar Lawrence takes a selfieHouston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis celebrates whileSeattle Sounders FC's Clint Dempsey celebrates hisReal Salt Lake fans celebrate a second half goal againstMinnesota United forward Christian Ramirez (21) celebratesToronto FC midfielder Nicolas Hasler (left) passesSporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia (29) punchesVancouver Whitecaps midfielder Yordy Reyna (29) scoresAtlanta United takes on FC Dallas in its first gameColorado Rapids defender Kortne Ford (24) attemptsNew York Red Bulls midfielder Salvatore Zizzo (15)Real Salt Lake's Joao Plata (10) holds up the RockyStar Wars Stormtroopers pose with a Chicago Fire fanSan Jose Earthquakes defenders Victor Bernardez andFC Dallas midfielder Michael Barrios shoves HoustonAtlanta United FC goalkeeper Brad Guzan leaps to punchSporting KC defender Ike Opara celebrates after a goalChicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (31)The Portland Timbers' Diego Valeri, Darren MattocksVancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic eyesColorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard (1) makes a saveA formation of four A-10 Warthogs flies over Children'sA Portland Timbers fan encourages fans during the secondSeattle Sounders midfielder Clint Dempsey scores theNew England Revolution forward Kei Kamara goes overD.C. United defender Taylor Kemp pulls down MinnesotaD.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta falls to theFC Dallas' Cristian Colman jumps over Montreal ImpactSeattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan celebratesNew York Red Bulls midfielder Daniel Royer (77) andAtlanta United midfielder Anton Walkes (middle) celebratesD.C. United goalkeeper Travis Worra makes a save againstSporting Kansas City's Ike Opara scores a goal offPhiladelphia Union forward C.J. Sapong battles againstNew York City FC's David Villa leads his team ontoSeattle Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and NewThe Houston Dynamo's Alberth Elis moves in to scoreNew York City FC forward David Villa (7) celebratesSporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia blocks aFormer NFL player Ted Johnson fires a ceremonial cannonFC Dallas' Kellyn Acosta attempts a corner kick againstSporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler heads theMinnesota United's Brent Kallman heads the ball overPhiladelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake makes a savePortland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi (9) falls on AtlantaMinnesota United goalie Bobby Shuttleworth (33) makesFans display a banner honoring Chicago Fire midfielderThe Los Angeles Galaxy's Romain Alessandrini (7) getsOrlando City SC's Cyle Larin runs in jubilation afterSporting Kansas City's Dom Dwyer scores a goal andReal Salt Lake's Luke Mulholland reacts after scoringThe New England Revolution's Juan Agudelo scores aFC Dallas fans hold their scarves during team introductionsThe Columbus Crew's Wil Trapp high fives fans afterFireworks are fired before the start of Altanta United'sThe Timbers Army present a "Happy Little Trees" tifo
Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell (24) raisesLos Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Clement Diop (31) foulsNYCFC, which normally plays its home games at YankeeFlags wave during the game between Toronto FC and MontrealHouston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis celebrates whileReal Salt Lake fans celebrate a second half goal againstToronto FC midfielder Nicolas Hasler (left) passesVancouver Whitecaps midfielder Yordy Reyna (29) scoresColorado Rapids defender Kortne Ford (24) attemptsReal Salt Lake's Joao Plata (10) holds up the RockySan Jose Earthquakes defenders Victor Bernardez andAtlanta United FC goalkeeper Brad Guzan leaps to punchChicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (31)Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic eyesA formation of four A-10 Warthogs flies over Children'sSeattle Sounders midfielder Clint Dempsey scores theD.C. United defender Taylor Kemp pulls down MinnesotaFC Dallas' Cristian Colman jumps over Montreal ImpactNew York Red Bulls midfielder Daniel Royer (77) andD.C. United goalkeeper Travis Worra makes a save againstPhiladelphia Union forward C.J. Sapong battles againstSeattle Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and NewNew York City FC forward David Villa (7) celebratesFormer NFL player Ted Johnson fires a ceremonial cannonSporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler heads thePhiladelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake makes a saveMinnesota United goalie Bobby Shuttleworth (33) makesThe Los Angeles Galaxy's Romain Alessandrini (7) getsSporting Kansas City's Dom Dwyer scores a goal andThe New England Revolution's Juan Agudelo scores aThe Columbus Crew's Wil Trapp high fives fans afterThe Timbers Army present a "Happy Little Trees" tifoSan Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski (8)Columbus Crew SC fans show support of their team duringAtlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) and defenderJozy Altidore kicks a drum and celebrates with hisLos Angeles Galaxy midfielder Jermaine Jones headsToronto FC forward Tosaint Ricketts hugs the goalpostAtlanta United plays Orlando City SC during the secondMinnesota United forward Abu Danladi (9) plays theToronto FC's Jozy Altidore (17) shoots and scores aRed Bulls supporters march on Jackson Street BridgeToronto FC fans celebrate a 3-0 win over the PhiladelphiaThe Montreal Impact's Anthony Jackson-Hamel heads theL.A. Galaxy midfielder Jermaine Jones (right) and NewSeattle Sounders midfielder Clint Dempsey takes a passSan Jose Earthquakes forward Marco Urena (far right)Vancouver Whitecaps goal keeper David Ousted makesToronto FC's Jay Chapman watches his first career goalMinnesota United midfielder Sam Cronin (19) and HoustonThe New England Revolution's Kei Kamara slaps handsChicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger celebratesAtlanta United defender Leandro Gonzalez throws theMinnesota United FC goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth triesActive members of the FDNY create a tunnel of honorA young fan smiles for the camera before the gameNew England Revolution fans throw streamers onto theNew York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) defendsNew York City FC defender Maxime Chanot heads the ballSan Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham punchesThe Philadelphia Union's Haris Medunjanin executesBastian Schweinsteiger (31) celebrates his goal inLos Angeles Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme plays for

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