After the long winter, we're finally at the end of the tunnel. #MLSisBack this weekend, with a full slate of 12 games to enjoy on opening weekend after some midweek Concacaf Champions League action.
A lot happened over the offseason and there are many storylines to follow. It might seem overwhelming, but it's okay: We've got you covered.
Here are 10 storylines to pay attention to heading into 2019, in no particular order:
Pity Martinez, Frank de Boer and Atlanta United
Despite selling Miguel Almiron to Newcastle, Atlanta United have gone from strength to strength in the midfield. Pity Martinez joins the club following a Copa Libertadores triumph with River Plate in 2018 and grabbed Almiron's vacated No. 10 shirt. At 25 years old, the best may be yet to come for the reigning South American Player of the Year.
That's not the club's only change, as Frank de Boer takes over for Tata Martino as head coach. How will the club handle the transitions?
CCL fever
Last season, Toronto FC got to the brink of becoming the first MLS club to win the Concacaf Champions League. Behind them, the New York Red Bulls lost in the semifinals and nearly advanced.
CCL fever only continues to spread around MLS.
This season, TFC fell at the Round of 16 hurdle. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls, Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo and Atlanta United all moved on to the quarterfinals with three of them facing Liga MX foes. Is this the year that an MLS club can achieve continental glory?
Cincinnati's expansion season
With a clear focus on fortifying the defense first, FC Cincinnati aim to be competitive every time they step on the pitch. But can they score enough goals to pick up points, especially coming off a 2018 season in which scoring was up across the board in MLS?
Fanendo Adi will lead the line, and a ton of goalscoring pressure will be on his shoulders, while Roland Lamah, Darren Mattocks and Kekuta Manneh will need to show consistency in front of goal for Cincy. At least the backline are more than capable on attacking set pieces.
Even modest scoring might be enough, because with a defensive unit that features Kendall Waston, Mathieu Deplagne, Greg Garza, Alvas Powell, Nick Hagglund and Polish international goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton in front of a stable of defensive midfielders – Leonardo Bertone, Fatai Alashe, Allan Cruz and Caleb Stanko – Cincy might be a problem in 2019.
Vancouver's expansion-like offseason
While FC Cincy are the only literal expansion team this year, the Vancouver Whitecaps have had an offseason much like one. Intrigue aplenty surrounds the BC club, largely because no one really knows what to expect by way of system, tactics and many of the players.
Fredy Montero is back and a known commodity around these parts, but there aren't many constants to casual fans. With 15 players in – from 12 different countries, including Tunisia, South Korea and Uruguay – and 21 players out, chemistry and continuity are at the top of the priority list for new head coach Marc Dos Santos.
Battle for LA
Last season, El Trafico, the cross-Los Angeles showdown between the LA Galaxy and LAFC, was responsible for some of the league's best games. It features a few of the biggest stars – like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Carlos Vela – and has quickly grown to a vivacious rivalry. They'll be can't-miss matches in 2019, but who will win the battle of LA?
Toronto's transition
TFC are sitting in a precarious position heading into 2019. Sebastian Giovinco and Victor Vazquez are gone, while Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley are on the last year of their contracts.
The Reds are still interested in another big-money DP, but was their CCL walloping in Panama a fluke or a sign of things to come? Their treble-winning 2017 feels a long time ago now.
Allianz Field and Minnesota United's three-year plan
On April 13, Minnesota United will play in their new home, Allianz Field, for the first time. The stadium looks breathtaking already.
It's the Loons' third MLS season, the oft-mentioned Year Three of the three-year plan. Minnesota added a handful of defense-minded additions, with Ike Opara, Ozzie Alonso, Vito Mannone, Romain Metanire and Jan Gregus all acquired this offseason with an eye on defense. If it all works out, Minnesota supporters might get to watch their side in the postseason for the first time.
Next wave of European interest
When the Whitecaps sold Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich last summer, it became the league's new outbound transfer record. It only stood for a few months before Almiron's transfer broke it. Between those two deals, Tyler Adams transferred to RB Leipzig.
Who will be the subject of rumors in 2019? When will the transfer record be broken again?
Ezequiel Barco, Gianluca Busio and George Bello are highly-rated teenagers in MLS while Lucho Acosta nearly joined Paris Saint-Germain this winter. European interest isn't likely to subside in Alberth Elis, ditto for Kaku and Chris Durkin.
Full season of LuchoRoo
Not long after Wayne Rooney made his D.C. United debut, it was beautifully evident that he and Acosta formed one of the best tandems in the league. What will they do with a full season?
Behind them, D.C. are looking to ensconce themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference after their scintillating second half of 2018. The club acquired highly rated young attacker Lucas Rodriguez as well as fullback Leonardo Jara, adding to a core that includes LuchoRoo, Russell Canouse, Bill Hamid, Steve Birnbaum and Paul Arriola.
Golden Boot race
After breaking the league's single-season record for goals last season, Josef Martinez is favorite to win the Golden Boot presented by Audi again, but it should be a frantic wire-to-wire race.
Ibrahimovic pledged to break all the records this season, while Rooney and Raul Ruidiaz will have a full season to try their luck. Mauro Manotas might have something to say and Bradley Wright-Phillips is always in the mix. Or perhaps there's a breakout candidate in the waiting, a dark horse no one is paying much attention to yet.
