On Tuesday morning, it starts all over again.
The start of training camp will have an entirely different feel this time around for the Seattle Sounders, who are the defending MLS Cup champions.
The bulk of the club’s nucleus returns, including goalkeeper Stefan Frei, the MLS Cup most valuable player; midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, a late designated player signee from Uruguay; and forward Jordan Morris, the league’s reigning rookie of the year.
And, of course, after taking over Sigi Schmid, who was fired in July, Brian Schmetzer returns for his full season as the Sounders’ coach.
Here are four issues to be monitored throughout training camp: