Look to the club that won the Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best record last season — FC Dallas.
Coach Oscar Pareja’s group was a wounded one in the MLS playoffs last season without midfielder Mauro Diaz, who should return this summer from his Achilles injury. The Sounders defeated FC Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals.
Kellyn Acosta leads a stout FC Dallas defense, and the club brought in two key offseason additions — attacking midfielder Javier Morales and goal-scoring machine Cristian Colman at forward.
Of course, you cannot forget the team the Sounders defeated for the MLS title — Toronto FC — with its high-paid stars in Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Sebastian Giovinco.