MLS is Back: Top 5 teams to win tournament
2. Seattle Sounders
The reigning MLS Cup champions enter the MLS is Back Tournament in fine fettle. If anything, they improved in the offseason, adding midfielder Joao Plata to a side that already boasts the talents of Jordan Morris, Nicolas Lodeiro and Raul Ruidiaz. And then they were handed the best news possible in the draw: a nice, easy group.
Every other group has at least two playoff teams. Seattle are the only playoff team in Group B. The Vancouver Whitecaps finished bottom of the Western Conference last season and have not improved dramatically in the offseason, while San Jose snatched one point from their first two matches in 2020, conceding seven goals in the process.
FC Dallas complete the group. They are a young and exciting team under Luchi Gonzalez, but they pale in comparison to the elite, machinic Sounders. Seattle are also battle-tested, hardened, and superb when it comes to knockout football. If and when they reach the knockout stages, they will be fearsome.