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LAFC over Columbus Crew for MLS Cup? Our 2021 predictions, MVP favorites, team-by-team talking points

The 26th season of Major League Soccer kicks off on Friday as Houston Dynamo host San Jose at BBVA Stadium (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+) and after a wild season in 2020, it's a clean slate and a reset in 2021 with a full schedule, another new team (welcome, Austin FC) and plenty of iconic players and teams with a lot to prove. And so, a little over four months since Columbus Crew SC thumped Seattle Sounders to win MLS Cup, we're back and ready for a fun season.

- Catch MLS all season long on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+
- Futbol Americas on ESPN+: MLS, Liga MX, USMNT, USWNT, more
- ESPN+ viewer's guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more

ESPN's Kyle Bonagura, Jeff Carlisle, Gus Elvin, Danny Guerra and Austin Lindberg go down the table to preview each team's most pressing matter -- and give predictions on who'll win MVP, MLS Cup finalists, and ultimately who will win the MLS Cup.