Despite Neymar’s claims to the contrary, it wasn’t all that long since NYCFC lifted the MLS Cup trophy, and yet the 2022 season is kicking off in a couple days’ time. The new campaign begins unusually early thanks to the presence of the World Cup in the fall, with the eight-plus-month race for the title embarking at a Saturday matinee at the Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park.
It’s shaping up to be another season of intrigue across the league, which now stands at 28 teams following the arrival of Charlotte FC. The incoming club and set of winter acquisitions has been met with a number of key departures. League stalwarts Chris Wondolowski, Diego Valeri, Federico Higuaín and Matt Besler have either retired or moved on, while a slew of young talents have departed the league for challenges abroad (and two other MLS stars have already arranged for summer moves to Arsenal).
If you’re a one-club diehard or just like to chart the progress of stars both foreign and domestic, there’s ample reason to get into the forthcoming season. But in case you’re in need of more motivation, here are 22 elements that you can look forward to across MLS in 2022, presented in no particular order:
