For the second straight year, the big story surrounding the Union as they begin their eighth Major League Soccer season on Sunday in Vancouver is goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Last season, the big news centered on Blake earning the full-time job for the first time in his third season with the team.
This season, the big news was that Blake was still on the team.
After earning MLS goalkeeper of the year honors in 2016, speculation arose about a potential international transfer for Blake. International teams, looking for a keeper, were expected to make the Union an offer that was too good to refuse.