Major League Soccer’s (MLS) season kicks off in five days! If you’re new to following America’s top division soccer league or have been following since 1996, here’s all you’ll need to know about MLS’ Western Conference ahead of 2022.
2022 Western Conference Preview
There are 14 teams in the western conference in 2022. Nashville SC, who was a successful team in the east last year moves west to balance the conference. Who has gotten stronger heading into the 2022 season and who hasn’t? Could we see any surprises? This in-depth preview looks at all 14 teams in MLS’ western conference to see how they have prepared for the 2022 season.
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 12th
- El Parcero Philly – 14th
- Justin – 13th
- Zach – 12th
- Steve – 12th
Austin went into their first season in MLS and struggled a bit. They finished second-to-last in the western conference. Their expansion season was not a success and led to them getting rid of 10 players from last year’s team, and bringing in some MLS veterans to try to push themselves forward in year two.
The Doop by the River gang sees these reinforcements as more of the same for Austin. Two of us have them finishing in 12th like last year, and two of us see them finishing even lower in 13th. They’ll need to punch above their weight to get in playoff contention.
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| D – Zan Kolmanic | F – Kekuta Manneh |
| F – Ethan Finlay | F – Aaron Schoenfeld |
| F – Maxi Urruti | GK – Brady Scott |
| D – Kipp Keller | D – Aedan Stanley |
| M – Jhojan Valencia | D – Matt Besler |
| D – Ruben Gabrielsen | M – Sebastian Berhalter |
| GK – Damian Las | M – Manny Perez |
| M – Felipe Martins | F – McKinze Gaines |
| M – Tomas Pochettino | |
| M – Ulises Segura |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 2nd
- El Parcero Philly – 3rd
- Justin – 7th
- Zach – 4th
- Steve – 3rd
The Colorado Rapids shocked everyone in 2021 finishing first in the west. They edged out Seattle and Sporting Kansas City but failed to do anything in the playoffs. Ahead of the 2022 season, they made some moves letting go of star midfielder Kellyn Acosta but bringing in Bryan Acosta. The team is almost the same looking one as last season, can they stay at the top?
All of us at Doop by the River see Colorado regressing a bit. Three of us have them top four, and one of us see them as the last team in the playoffs for the west. Will Colorado continue to progress or fall a bit like we think they will?
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| D – Aboubacar Keita | D – Steven Beitashour |
| M – Max Alves | D – Drew Moor |
| D – Steven Beitashour | D – Kortne Ford |
| D – Drew Moor | D – Jeremy Kelly |
| M – Bryan Acosta | M – Nicolás Mezquida |
| M – Nicolás Mezquida | M – Younes Namli |
| GK – Andre Rawls | |
| M – Will Vint | |
| F – Dominique Badji | |
| M – Kellyn Acosta | |
| D – Auston Trusty (Summer 2022) |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 13th
- El Parcero Philly – 13th
- Justin – 11th
- Zach – 14th
- Steve – 14th
FC Dallas was a team that struggled in 2021. They finished far from the playoff picture, but developed star striker Ricardo Pepi. He’s gone now, but Dallas looks to be reinvesting in their first team to get better results and be competitive. Could they actually do better and make the playoffs in 2022?
Dallas brought in Paul Arriola and Alan Velasco, but is that enough to get them up the standings? Our Doop by the River crew doesn’t think so. We all have them either at the same spot or further down the standings in 2022.
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| D – Nanu | GK – Phelipe Megiolaro |
| F – Dom Dwyer | D – Bressan |
| F – Isaiah Parker | D – Caiser Gomes |
| GK – Maarten Paes | M – Bryan Acosta |
| F – Paul Arriola | M – Freddy Vargas |
| D – Lucas Bartlett | GK – Kyle Zobeck |
| F – Alan Velasco | F – Ricardo Pepi |
| D – Marco Farfan | D – John Nelson |
| F – Tsiki Ntsabeleng | D – Justin Che |
| D – Ryan Hollingshead |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 11th
- El Parcero Philly – 12th
- Justin – 12th
- Zach – 13th
- Steve – 9th
Houston has been a team in limbo for the past few seasons. Their rebrand off the pitch looks nice, but they have not been good at all on the field. In 2022, they are looking to trim their fat and move up the western conference standings.
Houston finished last in the west last season, and the Doop by the River gang sees them getting a bit better, but not vastly better. This team will be outside of playoff contention, but above last place, that is unless they make more high-level signings in 2022.
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| D – Daniel Steres | D – Jose Bizama |
| GK – Steve Clark | D – Maynor Figueroa |
| F – Thor Ulfarsson | D – Erik McCue |
| F – Sebastián Ferreira | GK – Marko Maric |
| M – Brooklyn Raines | GK – Kyle Morton |
| D – Zeca | D – Alejandro Fuenmayor |
| M – Boniek Garcia | |
| F – Ariel Lassiter | |
| F – Maxi Urruti | |
| F – Mateo Bajamich |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 7th
- El Parcero Philly – 4th
- Justin – 6th
- Zach – 7th
- Steve – 8th
LAFC is entering its fifth season in MLS. They had been one of the best teams in MLS in their first three years, but last season showed a real regression. The team that was used to being at or near the top four fell to ninth last season. Can they climb back up the table in 2022?
This team is talented and spent this offseason getting MLS veterans to round out their team. Our Doop by the River guys sees this team finishing better than ninth, but see them as a fringe playoff team in 2022. Will they prove us right or very wrong?
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| D – Franco Escobar | GK – Jamal Blackman |
| F – Isamel Tajouri-Shradi | M – Danny Crisostomo |
| M – Ilie Sanchez | M – Alvaro Quezada |
| M – Kellyn Acosta | D – Jordan Harvey |
| GK – Maxime Crepeau | D – Raheem Edwards |
| GK – John McCarthy | F – Michee Ngalina |
| D – Ryan Hollingshead | GK – Pablo Sisniega |
| D – Doneil Henry | M – Eduard Atuesta |
| D – Tristan Blackmon | |
| M – Bryce Duke | |
| D – Marco Farfan |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 8th
- El Parcero Philly – 7th
- Justin – 8th
- Zach – 6th
- Steve – 7th
LA Galaxy used to be the top team in MLS. In the early 2010’s they had a dynasty that rivaled the best teams in MLS history. Entering the 2020’s they have been an embarrassment. In 2021, they were one draw, or one less loss away from making the playoffs, but failed to get the job done on decision day. Can they get back to their winning ways in 2022?
The Doop by the River gang sees this team in the same position as last year. They will be on the fringes of the playoffs. The addition of Douglas Costa does make them better, but he alone cannot carry this team to the playoffs.
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| D – Kelvin Leerdam | GK – Eric Lopez |
| M – Raheem Edwards | M – Victor Vázquez |
| GK – Richard Sanchez | D – Niko Hämäläinen |
| M – Victor Vázquez | GK – Justin vom Steeg |
| M – Mark Delgado | M – Jonathan dos Santos |
| F – Douglas Costa | F – Kai Koreniuk |
| F – Augustine Williams | |
| D – Daniel Acosta | |
| D – Oniel Fisher | |
| F – Ethan Zubak | |
| D – Daniel Steres | |
| M – Sebastian Lletget |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 9th
- El Parcero Philly – 9th
- Justin – 4th
- Zach – 10th
- Steve – 10th
Minnesota United has been a team on the up in the western conference over the last few seasons. However, they have yet to show that they are a good team when it comes to playoff time. Ahead of the 2022 season, Minnesota lost three starters from last season, and their replacements are of a high caliber but are unproven. Will that help them get better or will they fall in 2022?
One of us at Doop by the River sees this team as a better version than the 2021 side, but the rest of us see them falling out of the playoffs in 2022. They could easily be either of these versions, we’ll have a better picture of this team after the first few months of the season.
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| F – Bongokuhle Hlongwane | F – Fanendo Adi |
| D – Brent Kallman | F – Juan Agudelo |
| F – Abu Danladi | D – Noah Billingsley |
| GK – Eric Dick | D – Brent Kallman |
| D – Oniel Fisher | D – Jukka Raitala |
| M – Kervin Arriaga | GK – Adrian Zendejas |
| F – Luis Amarilla | M – Ethan Finlay |
| M – Osvaldo Alonso | |
| M – Jan Gregus | |
| M – Thomas Chacon |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 3rd
- El Parcero Philly – 2nd
- Justin – 1st
- Zach – 1st
- Steve – 1st
Nashville SC is now in the western conference again in 2022. Their first year, they bounced between the west and the east thanks to the pandemic. They stayed in the east in 2021 and finished third making the eastern conference semifinals in the playoffs. Now they are in the west and are looking like a team that could do some damage in that conference. Could their change of conference see them rise in the standings or fall?
Three members of the Doop by the River see this Nashville team winning the west, while one of them sees them finishing in the top-four. This team is one that is sound defensively and in the midfield thanks to the addition of Sean Davis. Could we be seeing a new team a top the west when the season ends?
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| F – Ethan Zubak | D – Jalil Anibaba |
| F – Teal Bunbury | F – Abu Danladi |
| D – Josh Bauer | M – David Accam |
| M – Sean Davis | D – Nick Hinds |
| GK – Bryan Meredith | D – Tom Judge |
| M – Matt LaGrassa | |
| GK – Tor Saunders | |
| F – Jhonder Cadiz | |
| D – Dylan Nealis | |
| D – Alistair Johnston | |
| D – Miguel Nazarit |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 4th
- El Parcero Philly – 5th
- Justin – 3rd
- Zach – 2nd
- Steve – 5th
Portland made it all the way to MLS Cup in 2021. They hosted the final but fell short on penalties to NYCFC. Their heartbreak could just fuel them in 2022. While the team did lose talisman Diego Valeri, Sebastien Blanco has returned to carry the club’s attacking hopes.
We at Doop by the River see this team as a playoff side in 2022. Each of us sees them finishing in a different place between second and fifth. Could this club that fell short in penalty kicks in front of their home fans get back to the promised land in 2022? The redemption tour starts now!
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| F – Tega Ikoba | D – Ismaila Jome |
| GK – Aljaz Ivacic | M – Jorge Gonzalez |
| GK – David Bingham | F – Manny Perez |
| GK – Justin Vom Steeg | M – Renzo Zambrano |
| M – David Ayala | GK – Steve Clark |
| D – Josecarlos Van Rankin | M – Diego Valeri |
| M – Sebastian Blanco | GK – Jeff Attinella |
| D – Justin Rasmussen | M – Andy Polo |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 10th
- El Parcero Philly – 10th
- Justin – 10th
- Zach – 9th
- Steve – 11th
Real Salt Lake has been an interesting team over the past few seasons. In 2021, they went on a run that saw them get into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, and make their way all the way to the western conference final. They were one game short of playing for an MLS Cup, but will they get that far in 2022?
RSL did lose their talisman Albert Rusnak in free agency and don’t have a league-tested replacement for him this year. This could be why all of us at Doop by the River see this team falling below the playoff line in 2022. Could this be true, or will they shock the world again and make the playoffs and go on a run?
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| M – Jude Wellings | F – Milan Iloski |
| F – Justin Meram | F – Douglas Martinez |
| M – Julio Benitez | D – Ashtone Morgan |
| M – Scott Caldwell | M – Justin Portillo |
| GK – Gavin Beavers | D – Noah Powder |
| D – Jaziel Orozco | F – Jeizon Ramirez |
| F – Axel Kei | F – Tate Schmitt |
| M – Everton Luiz | D – Donny Toia |
| F – Sergio Cordova | M – Albert Rusnak |
| D – Johan Kappelhof |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 14th
- El Parcero Philly – 11th
- Justin – 14th
- Zach – 11th
- Steve – 11th
San Jose has been on unstable ground for the last few seasons. The earthquakes brought in manager Matias Almeyda to fix this, but his man-marking style of play has never translated to success on the pitch. they finished in 10th last season, and never really threatened to make the playoffs. Ahead of 2022, they have brought in MLS-tested veterans to try to get them over the hump.
We at Doop by the River don’t see that as a determining factor that will bring success. We all have them dropping in the standings in 2022, two of us have them finishing in dead last. Will this be the case, or will we see them come together and shock the west this season?
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| M – Jan Gregus | D – Luciano Abecasis |
| M – Will Richmond | D – Jacob Akanyirige |
| F – Ousseni Bouda | M – Eric Calvillo |
| M – Niko Tsakiris | M – Carlos Fierro |
| GK – Matt Bersano | F – Andy Rios |
| D – Francisco Calvo | F – Thomas Williamson |
| M – Jamiro Monteiro | GK – Matt Bersano |
| D – Oskar Ågren | GK – Daniel Vega |
| F – Chris Wondolowski | |
| D – Oswaldo Alanis |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 1st
- El Parcero Philly – 1st
- Justin – 2nd
- Zach – 3rd
- Steve – 2nd
Seattle Sounders have been a powerhouse in the western conference for the last ten years. Seattle has never missed the playoffs in MLS, which is going on 13 years now. They are the measuring stick on successful club culture as well as winning on the pitch. Will they continue this trend in 2022?
The Doop by the River Gang sees this team as a top-four team in the west yet again. One of us has them winning the west, while the rest sees them finishing in second or third. This team has gotten even stronger bringing in RSL legend Albert Rusnak to add to their already stacked midfield. This side has the talent but can they win multiple trophies in 2022?
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| F – Sam Adeniran | M – Nicolas Benezet |
| M – Obed Vargas | M – Jordy Delem |
| M – Dylan Teves | M – Shandon Hopeau |
| M – Albert Rusnak | F – Fredy Montero |
| M – Kelyn Rowe | GK – Trey Muse |
| GK – Stefan Cleveland | M – Kelyn Rowe |
| F – Will Bruin | F – Will Bruin |
| F – Fredy Montero | GK – Stefan Cleveland |
| D – Jackson Ragen | GK – Spencer Richey |
| D – Shane O’Neill | |
| D – Brad Smith | |
| M – Ethan Dobbelaere |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 5th
- El Parcero Philly – 6th
- Justin – 5th
- Zach – 5th
- Steve – 4th
Sporting Kansas City is always one of the more organized teams in MLS. Their head coach Peter Vermes has this team playing like the best team with the ball at their feet year-in and year-out. 2021’s version was in touching distance of winning the west but fell to third late on in the season. For all their prowess, they seem like a team that will take a step back not move forward in 2022.
Their roster build ahead of 2022 shows this as well, as they didn’t improve the squad more than they had last season. That is likely why the Doop by the River gang sees them as a team that will finish either fourth or fifth. The rest of the west got better and Nashville is added to the mix, this could prove to be challenging for SKC.
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| D – Ben Sweat | D – Amadou Dia |
| M – Uri Rosell | F – Wilson Harris |
| M – Roger Espinoza | D – Luis Martins |
| D – Graham Zusi | D – Roberto Puncec |
| D – Logan Ndenbe | M – Ilie Sanchez |
| D – Kortne Ford | GK – Brooks Thompson |
| D – Robert Voloder | D – Graham Smith |
| F – Marinos Tzionis | M – Roger Espinoza |
| F – Nikola Vujnovic | D – Graham Zusi |
| GK – Kendall McIntosh | |
| D – Jaylin Lindsey | |
| F – Grayson Barber | |
| F – Tyler Freeman |
Doop by the River Gang’s 2022 Predictions
- Tim – 6th
- El Parcero Philly – 8th
- Justin – 9th
- Zach – 8th
- Steve – 6th
One of the most heartwarming stories of 2021 was the Vancouver Whitecaps. They went on a run that saw them finish sixth in the west seemingly out of nowhere. Their interim head coach Vanni Sartini’s work helped him become the permanent boss of the club. Now heading into 2022, the goal will be to finish in the top four.
This side added some good MLS players but lost their star goalkeeper. They seem to be right where they were last year, which is why we at Doop by the River have them finishing around where they were last year or lower. The west has gotten better, and Vancouver really hasn’t. They’ll be lucky to make the playoffs with how the field has improved.
| PLAYERS IN | PLAYERS OUT |
|---|---|
| D – Tristan Blackmon | GK – Isaac Boehmer |
| M – Sebastian Berhalter | M – Patrick Metcalfe |
| GK – Isaac Boehmer | D – Jasser Khmiri |
| F – Tosaint Ricketts | |
| D – Andy Rose | |
| GK – Maxime Crepeau | |
| M – Janio Bikel | |
| F – Theo Bair |
Will there be more shakeup in the west in 2022?
The western conference was a traffic jam last season. The top four were separated by six points or closer. Teams five through nine were split by four points or closer. Add in a very good Nashville SC team to this and there could be 10 teams legitimately vying for seven playoff spots in 2022.
Will any team separate themselves from the rest? Will a team from outside the top four last season make the jump up there? Could teams at the bottom of the table surprise us all and move into a playoff spot by the end of 2022? We’ll have to watch to find out!
Be sure to come back to Philly Sports Network for more Philadelphia Union and other soccer content!
Follow our Union team on Twitter:
Tim Lovenguth | Justin Friedberg | El Parcero Philly
Zach LoBasso | Steve Beavon | Liam Jenkins
Doop on Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire
