With the MLS season just about a week away, it is time for irrational and bold predictions and projections for this year. There have been many changes since last season but for the most part, it has been a quiet offseason. Some splashy signings but nothing revolutionary. Here are 5 bold predictions and projections for this upcoming season.
Bold Predictions and Projections for the 2016 MLS Season
Predictions:
1. NYCFC will make the playoffs this year.
The City Football Group does not appreciate losing. They did not spend 100 million dollars to be a mediocre team. Look for more high-end youth players from Manchester City to get playing time at NYCFC. Patrick Viera will be a coach players are going to listen to more than Jason Kreis because of his legacy and a strong injection of international youths like Federico Bravo, Diego Martinez, and Mikey Lopez will bring this team to the playoffs. They won’t get to the cup but they will start to show their potential.
2. Jordan Morris will break Cyle Larin’s rookie goal scoring record
The kid is legit. Dempsey will feed him and Morris will start his path to superstardom this year.
3. MLS Sundays will finally start getting real Neilson ratings to be proud of
Copa America will help the lift. TV ratings have steadily been increasing and this is the year we see consistent viewership above 600,000.
4. The most goals in a game record will get broken
The record is 11, set in 1998 between LA Galaxy and the Rapids. As long as Tim Howard doesn’t join MLS, LA Galaxy will likely break the record against the rapids this year. Or against NYCFC.
5. A young American MLS player will leave to La Liga
We have seen Matt Miazga go to Chelsea, DeAndre Yedlin to Tottenham and Jordan Morris get courted by the Bundesliga but so far no MLS American has made his way to La Liga. This year that will change.
5 bold Projections
MLS MVP – Fabian Castillo – Forward – FC Dallas
Rookie of the year – Jack Harrison – Midfielder – NYCFC
First Coach to be Fired – Pablo Mastroeni
MLS Cup Champion – LA Galaxy
MLS Golden Boot Winner – Giovani Dos Santos
Main Photo: Andy Cross, Getty Images
