GOLDEN 25TH. 2020 MLS SEASON PREVIEW
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTA UNITED
2019 SEASON: 18-4-12, 58 points (Second in the East, Conference finalists)
KEY ADDITIONS: Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake), Mo Adams (Chicago Fire), Edgar Castillo (NE Revolution), Fernando Meza (Necaxa)
DEPARTURES: Julian Gressel (D.C. United), Darlington Nagbe (Columbus), Justin Meram (Real Salt Lake), Michael Parkhurst (Retired)
Atlanta United will be disappointed with the way they were eliminated from the playoffs last year and will be eager to get back to MLS Cup for the second time in three years. They have the quality and depth to do it with the likes of Josef Martinez and Pity Martinez both returning. Atlanta United will be a real force throughout the season.
CHICAGO FIRE
2019 SEASON: 10-12-12, 42 points (Eighth in the East, did not make playoffs)
KEY ADDITIONS: Robert Beric (St. Etienne), Alvaro Medran (FA - Valencia), Elliot Collier (Memphis 901)
DEPARTURES: Nico Gaitan (Lille), Nemanja Nikolics (Fehervar), Aleksander Katai (LA Galaxy), Dax McCarthy (Nashville), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Retired)
An ambitious plan to re-brand and remarket the club has officially started as the team has moved back to Soldier Field, where they played prior to their move to Bridgeview. The club have a new logo and a new squad as well with both Schweinsteiger, Nemanja Nikoli, and captain Dax McCarty all leaving town. It'll be a year of transition for the Fire to say the least.
FC CINCINNATI
2019 SEASON: 6-6-22, 24 points (Last in the East, did not make playoffs)
KEY ADDITIONS: Jurgen Locadia (Brighton), Yuya Kubo (Gent), Haris Medunjanin (Philadelphia), Tom
