Five storylines to watch in the 2023 MLS season
Five storylines to follow during the 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) season which kicks off on Saturday:
LAFC'S REPEAT BID
Los Angeles FC return this season looking to retain their crown after a wildly successful 2022 during which they won the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup, becoming the first team to win the double since Toronto FC in 2017.
The club still boast plenty of talent to remain in the mix but face some questions about their depth in attack now that some key players, including Gareth Bale, have moved on.
But LAFC have also made some notable acquisitions, including former MLS Defender of the Year Aaron Long and highly-rated Croatian youth international Stipe Biuk, and will open their sixth season as favourites to finish as champions again.
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PHILADELPHIA REDUX
After falling short in a penalty shootout defeat to Los Angeles FC in last year's MLS Cup, Philadelphia Union return with every starter from their 2022 squad that finished with same amount of points as LAFC and set a goal difference record.
Philadelphia will be eager to go one better after coming so close in the 2022 MLS Cup when they scored a 124th-minute would-be winner before LAFC responded with a 128th-minute equaliser to level the game at 3-3 before winning on penalties.
For Union, who also lost the Supporters' Shield last year on a tiebreaker due to having fewer wins than LAFC, success is no longer based on just making the playoffs. With experience and some added depth, Union are well-placed to take the next step to landing a maiden MLS Cup.
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NEW CLUB ON THE BLOCK
The long wait for an MLS side in St. Louis is finally over as the expansion club, led by first-year coach Bradley Carnell, will make their debut.
The club, which will be known as St. Louis City SC,