Who are the favourites to win MLS in 2019?

Major League Soccer (MLS) is back with 24 teams looking to become champions.

Atlanta United: The reigning champions lost manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino and attacking midfielder Miguel Almiròn. Nevertheless, they have kept their quality with new boss Frank de Boer and may repeat as champions.

Each winter a big-time player leaves the New York side. But the Red Bulls still rely on one of the best youth systems in MLS, and have one leading goalscorer, Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Seattle Sounders: The north-west outfit usually start slowly but always end strong and battles hard in the playoffs.  

Portland Timbers: Argentines Diego Valeri and Sebastiàn Blanco form a high-level midfield duo. One of the keys is young striker Jeremy Ebobisse.

LA Galaxy: Talent, it does not lack. Ibrahimovic, dos Santos, Alessandrini... What the Californian side needs is a tougher defence. If new manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto will work, the Galaxy could become champions.