MLS is Back: 3 underrated teams to watch

The MLS is Back Tournament kicks off in less than three weeks. As excitement builds, here are three underrated teams to keep an eye on as potential challengers.

Major League Soccer teams will compete in earnest within a month. And as is the case in a league of 26 teams, there are many that tend to fly under the radar. They go unnoticed, underreported, and often overlooked, even as they enjoy relatively successful seasons. And so, as we begin our tentative build-up to the MLS is Back tournament, which teams are worth keeping an eye on that might not get the same love as their rivals?

Well, here are three candidates who you should consider before everything kicks off again in a little under three weeks.

3. New England Revolution

After firing Brad Friedel midway through last season, the New England Revolution made a surprising and sneaky run into the Eastern Conference playoff positions. They eventually lost to Atlanta United and never truly looked like challenging the very best in the East, but their form over the second half of the year was very encouraging.

The man who masterminded it is Bruce Arena. The legendary MLS coach arrived and immediately brought a sense of professionalism and expectation to a team that has consistently been neglected in recent years. And the team improved as a result of his hard-nosed coaching and detailed instruction on the pitch.

Then, in the offseason, the Revolution did what they never do: they invested in the team. After adding Carles Gil last winter and Gustavo Bou in July, they added centre-forward Adam Buksa as their third Designated Player. Buksa has already notched his first goal for the club, showing terrific sharpness in the penalty with a neat touch and finish, and he completes what is a very dangerous offensive unit indeed. Do not count the Revolution out.